Grief of stopping breastfeeding

I’ve been in a similar boat . I wanted to make it to at least 6 months , my LO is a little over 7 months. I exclusively pump and I just kind of started tapering off and not pumping as much. At first I felt super guilty and sad about it , and I still do a little bit. The bulk of it for me has been about the guilt of not being able to make the sacrifice and go even longer to give him “the best of the best” ( I know fed is near but the benefits of breastmilk are still undeniable) . I have to keep reminding myself that i achieved my original goal, during the months that were most important. I try to stay positive about the good ways life has changed since we started reducing the breastfeeding. My LO hasn’t nursed since his first few days so I don’t have much input about that side things. This is the first of many times where the will need us just a little bit less as they grow up.

In the same boat as you!!! I struggled with low supply my entire journey and it’s gotten a lot lower as he has gotten older. I plan on stopping in the next few months or sooner.. just kind of going with the flow until my body stops making milk

I just want to share I’m in the SAME situation. Sometimes I get a gut punch feeling when I see my babe smile/reach for the bottle. I know it’s the best for her but it feels like I’m a failure even though I know logically it’s the opposite..

I stopped at 6mo and cried a bit for a few days lol its been almost 2mo now and miss it occasionally but my baby is still getting fed and is happy

This just happened to me as well, it makes me sob. I went down to 3/4 nursing sessions to 2, now today just 1. I pumped and only got 2 oz. 😭 idk what to do

I stopped at 5 months! I went through the same thing but just look how much he loves his bottles and formula! So think of it like, why would you keep doing something he doesn’t prefer? Ya know? In a few months you will look back and be so thankful you made this decision for YOU and him! Someone else also brought up a good point that helped me: no one has ever ONCE asked me if I was breastfed or fed formula. At the end of the day, he’s eating and it’s a plus that he loves his bottle and formula! He’s saying “momma, take a break and be done, I like this!” 7 months is such a long time! You were pregnant for 9 whole months and have been breastfeeding for 7… now it’s time to enjoy yourself and give yourself some grace and a break! You’re an amazing momma. ❤️

@Carly thanks for this!! He does love formula and for me it’s got nothing to do with formula fed or breastfed it’s more the fact of getting his snuggles and him tickling my chest while feeding and I can’t use it as an excuse now when someone else is holding him 😂😭😭 I’m slowly coming to terms with it.

The problem is I find breastfeeding so easy and convenient we’ve had a really successful journey. Changing to bottles means I gotta wash bottles and always lug them around wherever we go 😭 I guess it’s just a new thing to learn and I’ll get used to it

He doesn’t actually even want my breast anymore he will feed for 2 mins he only wants it if he’s falling asleep. He gets so excited for bottles. So right now I’m just expressing milk when I’m engorged just a little for relief. Hopefully it’ll dry up soon, I’m so sad to say goodbye to my big juicy boobies 😂😭

@Brooke I was just wondering how I’d feel when I decide to stop. My goal was also 6 months and baby is nearly 7. Some days I say I can’t wait to stop and some days I’m like ehh maybe just a couple more months. Honestly looking at the positives helps a lot. The fact we even got to have them get our milk to begin with is a blessing!