Last week marked the end of our breastfeeding journey. Over the past few weeks Oliver has slowly but surely started weaning himself from the boob. On the 27th February 2017 Oliver had his final feed. This feed lasted all of about 30 seconds, and he wasn’t really that interested.
How did I feel?
I must say, I wasn’t as sad as I thought I would be. It’s the end of a journey that I am very proud of. It was something I had hoped to achieve, but never knew if I would achieve. I feel very lucky to have made it to one year of breastfeeding, without any problems. No mastitis, no thrush, nothing. Other than a bit of an overabundant supply in the early days and Oliver only feeding from one side, I have been very lucky in my breastfeeding journey.
How did I stop feeding?
I had wanted to stop at a year, but when Oliver first turned one and I tried to stop, he was having none of it. He was only having one feed at bedtime, so I thought I would continue on until he was a little older and would self-wean, or try again at a later date. Just over a week after he turned one, he went to sleep one night without milk. I couldn’t believe it. But then the next night he wanted it again so I thought it was just a blip.
Just a few days later I offered him milk and he only suckled for about 30 seconds and stopped. The next night was my first day back at work, I wasn’t home for bedtime and he went down easily for Stu. The next night I was home but he did it again, and has done every night since. I’m very fortunate that my supply seems to have adjusted by itself (something it has always been good at doing) and I haven’t suffered any problems.
Changing to cow’s milk
Oliver hasn’t had a bottle since he was weeny and has refused them when he was older. So when I tried to change to cow’s milk he wasn’t interested in having it from a bottle. So I tried various different cups we had, and to be honest I don’t think it made that much difference. He doesn’t drink cow’s milk like most babies have their milk. He’s far too busy! He has a quick sip and then is trying to get away to do something different. To get him to drink about 100ml it takes about an hour. I’m not too worried, as long as he drinks a little bit it’s fine. I’m sure as he gets older he will drink more!
Did you wean your baby or did they self wean, and when? How did you wean your baby from breast or formula to cow’s milk? I would love to hear your stories!
Sounds just like my daughter! She self weaned at around a year. I was a bit sad but ok. Then my son was a whole different kettle of fish and I had to be a bit ruthless as I’d had enough. (Also at around the year mark.) Thanks for being part of the #bigpinklink
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It’s sad I suppose because it means they aren’t a little baby anymore! x
This was really interesting to read. My little one is 6.5 months and I’m hoping to make it to 1 year if possible. It’s good to read other people’s experiences and to know that it isn’t a battle for everyone #bigpinklink
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Thank you! The longer you do it the easier it gets for sure! x
Hi Lousie, Shannon here & new reader!
Congrats on the end of your breast feeding journey. I love the approach you took of not being sad about such a bonding moment with you and Oliver. It seems like it was such a natural progression for you two. Do you think Oliver would ever want to start feeding again and how would you handle that? I’m a first time expecting mom so I tend to ask so many questions about breastfeeding in general. I’m hoping to breastfeed as long as I could with a natural progression ending like you and Oliver’s!
Thanks so much for sharing your experiences!
xx Shannon // http://www.duedatediaries.com
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Thank you, I don’t think he would start feeding again, he was very much a ‘get the job done’ kind of feeder and in the later days didn’t use me for comfort at all. Thanks for reading x
It sounds like you had an amazing breastfeeding journey and I congratulate you for your approach to it. I loved breastfeeding my two – although it wasn’t easy at first and didn’t come without the odd challenge. I only managed until around 10 months as they both got a bit bitey at that stage which I was less than keen on haha. I think it’s lovely that you were able to let your little one self wean off and it sounds as though you have shared a wonderful bonding experience through it. Thanks for sharing with #DreamTeam x
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I was very lucky that he didn’t get teeth until 10.5 months so he wasn’t too bitey! Thanks for reading x
This is so interesting to read as I’m currently breastfeeding my 7 month old and wondering when it will ever stop! He wants to feed every 2 hours at night though so that’s probably why it feels it will never end. I have my fingers crossed he will naturally wean himself off the boob! Thanks for linking up to #MarvMondays. Kaye xo
My little one is nearly five months and a total boob monster so I do wonder if he will self wean or if I will have to encourage him when I feel the time is right. I don’t really have a goal in mind. I just want to get to 6 months but if I get to a year then I’ll be stoked 🙂 My eldest two were formula fed so this is a whole new ball game for me! #MarvMondays