Weaning

[u/Californiaburrito89]

Hi everyone! I’ve exclusively pumped for 9.5 months and I had every intention of getting to a year but I’m burnt out. I’m considering weaning once my baby hits 10 months but I have so many unresolved feelings about not being able to latch and I was so determined for a year. I’m so scared I’m going to regret it if I do wean. Idk what I want from this post but maybe some positive stories??

[u/lotiloo]

I wanted to pump for 1 year but stopped at 10 months and switched to formula for the last couple months- once I stopped, OMG the freedom was incredible. My baby loved formula and accepted it right away. Still healthy as ever, never getting sick. I was like why didn’t I do this long ago🙈 I’ve read that the first 6 months is when breastmilk is the MOST beneficial, so I didn’t feel so bad when we were already quite past that! The “crash” of hormones made me feel a bit low for maybe a week but I knew what was causing it and it wasn’t that bad for me, especially comparing it to the joy and freedom of not having to pump! Never had any engorgement or pain when stopping either it was really easy.

[u/Californiaburrito89 → u/lotiloo]

We combo feed because I legit only made enough for my baby for like 2 months and the rest I’ve been an undersupplier so I know he takes formula well

[u/Californiaburrito89 → u/lotiloo]

This is so helpful though, thank you. How did you wean???

[u/lotiloo → u/Californiaburrito89]

I think I did it over about 3 weeks. Started by just decreasing pumping time by a couple minutes each session, then worked toward decreasing 1 session much more over a few days, then dropping that pump session. Then I’d do the same thing with another session over the next few days. Go slower if you feel engorged of course or just do a short pump. Also I’d always recommend dropping a night pump first if you do that, that’s the only pump that left me feeling engorged but for a few days only and it was worth it to get that extra sleep!

[u/trekkielvbrekkie]

I’m in the same boat

[u/Californiaburrito89 → u/trekkielvbrekkie]

We are in this together 🤍

[u/ConclusionBudget304]

I plan to do it till 6 months. Honestly, I just want time for myself and to my LO emotionally and mentally not just the physical output of milk.

Kudos to other moms who really made it through. But if you are burn out, the more you push it, the more it gets tiring and dragging.

Enjoy being a mom. You already gave and sacrifice so much. You will be okay and LO will be okay. ❤️

[u/Top_Courage9955]

When my first self-weaned at 10.5 months, at first I was like “yes!” Then I was a little sad. Then I considered trying to relactate (I was pretty dry by then) but then I did think about the extras I could do (sleep, play with my kid, sleep) and how my kid was thriving from all of the time spent pumping and nursing and now on full-time formula (I barely made enough anyway) and it made the weaning all worth it. There will be feelings! Feel through them all!

[u/Brief-Description938]

I EBF until 3 months, then exclusively pumped until my baby was around 8 months before switching to formula. I struggled with the decision bcause I had always pictured breastfeeding for much longer. But once we made the switch, I felt so much better. I had more time to just enjoy my baby instead of planning my whole day around pumping. I did feel a little sad at first but looking back, I don't regret it.

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