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Well done OP!
:hug: BG. I hope she is feeling better now.
3 full days with no feeds. She has asked a couple of times but was happy to accept milk in a cup or a little grope lol. I'm very pleased we are both ready stop now and it's not me forcing her. Already she is sleeping better during the night too. Although 3 days is hardly conclusive evidence. I might hang about in here a bit longer JIC. 2 years 5 months & 12 days. *pats self on back*
You've don fantastic work R. And the fact she is taking the lead with it and you supporting her shows it.
Hello all! (Waves)
I can officially join you wonderful mumma's today. Hooray!!
I'm looking forward to sharing and learning with all of you.
Ooh I can join here too now! Dd turned one last Wednesday. My aim was to get to one, then see how we go. I've been back at work but trying hard to keep up supply by pumping/feeding once at work. But now I'll stop that and just feed three times (morning, when I get home and before bed) then see how we go.
OP, I didn't realize ds2 fed 2 hourly! Dd while awake fed 3 hourly and people are surprised when I tell them that!
Can't wait for the next 1 yr molar to come through ds2 only bites when teething :( at nearly 18 mths you'd think we'd know better (only 2 more 1 yr molars to go and then we get to start the 2 yr molars :wall: )
How long do 1 yr molars actually take to make an appearance? Miss E has been miserable with then for about three weeks now :(
Not sure sorry bean :( Hope they come on through soon.
Cattle, FL, yay! Welcome! We are all here, woohoo!
FL, just wanted to say how wonderful I think it is that you made it to 12 months. I'm really impressed and very proud of you :clap:
Ds2 had his birthday today. He still fed, even through the chaos of the party noise. But only three times during the day. I'm sure he'll make up for it tonight.
I'm starting to notice that he can stretch his feeds out during the day, quite a lot sometimes... But if I'm there, he'll crawl over and climb all over me. With the other two, they started weaning when I retuned to work. I'm not going back this time, so it'll be interesting to see what DS2 does.
Hi ladies
Have made it to 13 months! Half way to my aim of 2 years. But I feel like my supply is dropping :( no matter how much I feed DS, he never seems satisfied and quite regularly looks thirsty (dry lips). Not sure what's going on, could it be my cycle returning? I've had lots of cervical mucous lately.
Double post.
Congrats LN! As long as your DS is eating and drinking as well as bfing, I wouldn't worry too much about your supply. Older babies and toddlers know what they want and where to get it. ;) They're often so distracted and busy that the best bfs are first and last thing when it's quieter. Both of my girls have dropped to 2-3 bfs by 18 mths and no 1 still kept going until nearly 4. DD2 is persisting despite much lower supply at 30 wks pg. It's still got all the good stuff
I haven't posted here before (I don't think) but thought that it was the appropriate place to share.
I fed DD1 until she was 14 months and 2 days where she self weaned. She was halfheartedly feeding by then and when I decided enough was enough, we had a last feed, she cried once at feed time the next day and then never looked for it again. She was a mix of bf with the odd formula top up when I mistakenly believed she needed more than I had.
I think this is our last week with feeding DD2. She will be 15 months tomorrow. This time, it's me wanting to finish up. We started on a rocky road, took five days for my milk to arrive and I agreed to two formula feeds in hospital. I remember watching her suck down that milk so fast on day four because she was so hungry and I just had nothing but my own stubbornness and determination that she wasn't having formula. When I saw her drink, I felt rotten. But I relaxed and my milk arrived and we haven't looked back.
She's a much more intense feeder. Demands it. Has been feeding up to six times each night. I realised a few months ago that if we were out and about, she didn't want to feed. So I stopped it at home during the day. Over the past month, I've managed to stop her feeding during the night and now it just takes a few pats and she's asleep again. I don't sleep while she feeds and it was making for a very long night and a tired mummy. We're down to a before bed feed and one first thing in the morning - and she didn't want it this morning. The last four nights, she hasn't fed to sleep. Feeds and then looks at me to settle her. Last night I just put her in the cot, turned on her musical seahorse and she went to sleep with no fuss.
I'm feeling mixed. This is it for me. Last baby. I do all the right things while feeding - I don't have alcohol and dodge spicy foods. It's been two years since I had a glass of wine! I reckon I've earned one! I don't particularly enjoy feeding an older baby. I love it while they're little and new and squishy cuddly but once they start to pull and wriggle...it hasn't been easy for me to keep going. Both times, my goal was 12 months and I got there. And other than the bottle feeds in the hospital, it's been all me. I'm pretty proud of that this time. I have a supportive family who have never said anything about how long I plan to feed for and friends who have had no issue with me feeding around them. I'm very lucky.
Anyway, I just wanted to share that with people who understand the mixed feelings I'm having. That while I'm hanging for that last feed to be over and done with, there's another part of me that will be wishing it doesn't end, that that moment in time lasts forever.
Aww Pac what a lovely post. It can be terribly bittersweet, weaning, whomever decides it is time - mum or bub. You've done such an amazing job. You should be very proud of yourself xx
Kudos to you PRMG - you've met your goal and given both your DDs the wonderful gift of breastfeeding them. You've also had the challenge of feeding a Hip Dysplasia baby in a cast and brace - not easy, I take my hat off to you!
We are close to weaning too, sometimes we go a day or so without a feed, when DD does search for one, its often short, its just for comfort and then she snuggles in for sleep. I thought she was weaning a few months ago, then she hit a wonder week and became booby obsessed again. I'm just letting her feed as she wants it, I'm reluctant to let go, no more babies, I know the last feed is soon, her interest is going, with each feed I wonder if its the last......
Not sure if this is the right thread, but here goes :)
I've night weaned DS (almost 14 months) and he's breastfeeding around 4 or 5 times a day but still no sign of my cycle returning. Anyone got any tips to boost fertility while breastfeeding?
Double post.
Hey LN! Most mums find that night-weaning is the best way to encourage your cycle to return, apart from weaning all together, there isn't much more you can do I think, on the breastfeeding side anyway.
Have you considered some acupuncture? I found that seemed to kick start my cycle after DS1 was born and still feeding.
Think this is my first post in here. I wrote out a post a few weeks ago but didn't post.
I bf DS until he was 2 and a bit. By then we were both ready to wean and that was that.
DD's journey started a little differently but I was still hopeful. First goal was just getting through the hospital stay, day by day. Got through that and then it was just like I remembered :) DD will be 14 months next week and although some days I'm a bit over the pulling at my shirt, neither of us are really ready to wean.
Don't know what to do with her during the night though, she'll wake up feed for 30 seconds then be back asleep. Obviously not really feeding to feed but because she's fed to sleep.. I've tried other ways of getting her to sleep, sometimes rocking will work but if she's put back down she wakes straight back up. Patting etc just doesn't work, she just gets worked up. It's not really a big deal but I would like her to be able to self settle rather than rely on feeding back to sleep whenever she rolls over.
we are in the same boat No.5. DD3 wakes for a quick feed and is generally halfway to sleep as i pick her up...but leave her, OR get DH in there and she goes cray cray and then it takes ages to settle her. so instead i sit there for the 5 minutes or so and feed her.
i mean, it is easy in one sense but i am finding myself really tired with the wake-ups and the feeding.
Me three ladies :(
I got my first "You look really tired today OP. everything ok?" From a well-meaning friend. I just about burst into tears.
DS2 is 13 months. I was so hoping it'd be better by now.
Edit: I think it's worse because I just grab him and go back to bed. Maybe if I sit instead... I dunno.
Saaame. I've only just broken that feeding cycle, it was exhausting! I still bring DS into bed though, the thought of putting him back to sleep without boob is frightening. I followed Dr Jay Gordon's advice, if you Google it, it should come up.
Hmm might try the acupuncture, I do love it :D
We are now only a few weeks off 4.5. Every time I think it's over she starts feeding again. I don't know if it's coincidence but every time she cuts right back she gets a damn cold! We are down to couple of feeds a week. Nothing major, but still feeding.
OP: we (I) i have the same thoughts...do i sit and feed or bring her back to bed. i find that if i can hold out and sit and feed then i get a better nights rest, but there are nights where that just doesnt cut it with her and she keeps waking...or, I am so so tired that i prefer to feed her in bed with me and not sleep well, but at least get some rest ITMS.
TBH, the whole feeding at night thing is the one thing that really wrecks me. I can do pretty much everything else with bravado etc, but that is my achilles heel. i am just soooo tired!
Wow BG 4.5 years is awesome!!!!
Cassius and OP yes night feeds can be really draining. Both mine were easy to night-wean after 17 months. Not sure if that helps yet, but it's not long until they understand more and their tummies hold more food to get them through the night.
I'm staring at another few years of night wakings I know...so you'll have to help me when I'm loosing the plot!
LN - it can take several months, so maybe wait a bit and see
Both of mine settled with night feeds after 18 months. They got through that needy phase and I could cut them out without too much drama. Mind you, it didn't stop either of them from waking! Doh.
I always think of it like this - if I didn't feed them to sleep, would it be more or less work for me? If less, then I'll change it up, if more, then just go with it.
I realised today that ds2 only had 2 feeds during the day... First thing and before day sleep. Then he had what I thought was going to be his before bed feed, but he didn't go to sleep, had another one half an hour later and another half an hour after that.
Still no sleep so I put him down and he grizzled for a bit before finally going to sleep. Sigh.
If he had to change anything - why would it be the feeding to sleep before bedtime? Why not feed less overnight, change that thing??? Why stop feeding to sleep? That was actually quite pleasant :(
Because is far more fun for them if they are unpredictable :-).:
DS 2.3 - stopped feeding to sleep at night first too, he now feeds morning and before day nap if he has one at home (this is always a feed to sleep) and then at night (which is only a feed to sleep if he hasn't had any sleep at all in the day - and always leads to a more unsettled night). He probably night weaned at about 20 months, and it was reasonably easy. He almost gave up when I was going away with work and went without for 5 days when he was just 2, but now he asks at the set times most days. He will also ask when he wakes overnight, but I won't feed him before 5:30AM - although this often means me spending rest of night in bed with him. I have found since I night weaned that feeding him overnight these days means he doesn't sleep as deeply and his night is more disturbed than if I just get him to go back to sleep (generally by getting in next to him - he was out of a cot very early due to climbing).
I think I may have done my last needed express session at school. DS2 hasn't had a bottle the past 3 school days, we only just dropped to one bottle in the last 2-3 weeks. I'm going to attempt to send a bottle to childcare next week and leave one for DH the days the boys are home with him. But I think he won't be drinking it :/ not sure how I feel about that; ds1 got to around 20mths of expressing, this is only just 19mths. Ds2 still feeds from me plenty at night so we're not ending feeding yet :)
I still feed to sleep for his nap and at bedtime. He has around 4 or 5 feeds a day, so he makes up for what he's not having overnight.
I've had a week of consistent period pain like cramps so maybe something is happening.
2.5 years now... and I'm pretty over it to be honest. DD still wants to feed all the time, and she is so loud and insistent about the whole thing.
Weaning her just seems like so much effort though! I'm just plodding along for now, putting up with it. I hope she either cuts back a lot or this over it feeling passes.
That's a fabulous effort, Sterla! We're down to 2-3 bfs a day, with only the morning one being long and leisurely. The night time one is purely there for the routine, she's on for about a minute each side before she's ready to brush her teeth and go to bed. I never saw a child so excited to dive into bed at the end of the day...! For that, I am very, very thankful! The nap time bf doesn't happen the days I'm not there (two a week at least), so when I am, again, it's barely a minute each side and I transfer into her bed. She's happy to go down, not always to nap, but at least I can leave her quickly. The morning feed is the only one she dislikes ending. She could lie beside me for an hour if I let her.
About seven weeks until we find out how we juggle two bfers. I think baby will be before DD2 in the morning anyway, so probably limited need to actually tandem nurse at once. I'm thinking I can probably manage okay with it if DD2 stays like this.
Well done Sterla! It's been about 8 weeks or so since my DD had her last BF. I was completely over it when she finally weaned. And nothing's changed! Such a relief to have my boobs back and I don't miss it AT ALL. Just need to stop the groping habit though ;)
You certainly don't feel regret about bfing ending if you let them self-wean as older children, do you!
I figured out that it's likely I'll be bfing for about 10 years in total with these three, if DD3 bfs as long as DD1. :o My bbs will deserve a medal... (Don't even want to think about how long if we do have a fourth).
I've been waiting very patiently for the day I could join this thread...and now I can :dance: DD2 is 12 months today. I'm so happy to have reached 12 months of breastfeeding again. With DD1, at this age I was having to top up every feed, as pregnancy made my supply all but dry up from the beginning, so I'm rapt to not be pregnant right now and to be able to breastfeed for as long as DD2 wants :)
Ladies can i join?
Bit of background
Dd2 had been exclusively bf for 15 months.
Thing is she loves boobie juice so much she doesnt want to eat solids!!
Also she loves fiddling and pulling the other nipple while i bf! Lol
Ive been trying to wean her since 9 months and have had to delay returning to work 3 times.
I am too weak to wean her and always give up :(
Anyway, i have to return to work beginning of jan as that is the last extension i could get.
Glad i could breastfeed her for this long but dreading the weaning process again.
are you interested in breastfeeding when youare not working, or ready to wean completely?
I went back to work part-time when DD was just over a year old. I fed her in the morning and when I got home from work and in the weeks leading up to returning to work I weaned her off her middle of the day feed, which was usually before her nap so I swapped that for cow milk (she was already used to cow milk by then anyway). That is, if you want to continue nursing. If you don't, try gradual weaning, starting with swapping just one feed with some cows milk or equivalent and taking it slowly from there.
Sad to say but im ready to wean completely :(
You've done a great job feeding your baby M2SC. You're not weak; you're giving your child what she needs. That's really hard sometimes :hug:
Are you open to just going back to work and seeing what happens? She may surprise you with the change in circumstances and be happy to drop feeds if you're not around. From there you can cut out the other feeds as well (it may be easier after you've made that initial change to follow up with complete weaning).
I hate fiddling. What happens if you stop the feed any time she tries to fiddle?
Madb i think that will be the best solution in that she wont want milk as my my gets anxiety seeing her upset for milk.
I really dont mind overnight feeds, much easier than rocking them to sleep lol
I usually tell her to stop coz it hurts, sometimes she gives me a cheeky grin and i cant get upset with her!
Sometimes she pulls my nipples realy hard and i hate when she does it in public!
Mum2SweetCs I found Dr Jay Gordon's weaning advice great and effective. DS has been nightweaned since about 11 months, bar the odd night he's not well and needs permanent latchment haha.
Oh and the herbs I went on to encourage my cycle to return worked :) so now we can TTC yay