My little one has decided enough (or not enough) is enough! Bye Bye BF

Well after 5 1/2 months, DS has decided that he has had enough of the boob and has made the decision to stop BF . Not sure how I feel, sometimes relief that we are finally just doing 'one thing' (formula feeding), sometimes sadness that BF is over, sometimes worry at what the FF may be doing to our son (is it my fault that he is getting the ezcema because I could not fully BF), and a little bit of shame at what other people will think of me because I could not make BF work.

I know that we had a rocky road with BF and he was mainly getting formula now, but I still enjoyed our two BFs a day, as they were time out and he generally fed himself to sleep and then had a beautiful nap in my arms. He does not do the same with the bottle (pity, esp that 5pm feed :shakehead:).

Even after he first refused the boob, I kept expressing in the hope that he would go back on, but even after two weeks, and AF arriving (which I was told was prob why he refused in the first place, and would go on post AF), he is showing no interest. It is time to let go.

So, good bye BF for my DS. I hope that if we to have a second, we have a better time of it and can just BF, but although I am sad at how we went this time, I know I tried everything I could for my DS this time, at it was just not to be.

Oh well.
FG

Big :hug:

But you did give him a great start!! Be proud of that!

:hug: 5 1/2 months is a massive achievement considering what you have gone through so a massive WELL DONE!!! You have given Archer the best start. My DD weaned at 9 months and went onto formula and I grieved our b/f for quite a while because it took us a while to get it too. Make sure that you still give your DS his feeds and don't let everyone else do it just because it is a bottle.
Your DS is so lucky to have a mum who was so decicated to giving him the best start to his life.
I'm so sorry that your b/f is coming to an end though :hug:

A Big Congrats FG on the 5 1/2 months you did BF!!
Try not to be too hard on yourself YOU did a great job in getting your little man to this point :hug:
As for the worry of thinking at what other people will think...at the end of the day does it really matter what anyone else thinks. You need to do what is BEST for your little man!! ...and if that is FF the main thing is that he is healthy and eating no matter how he gets his milk.

Try and celebrate that you DID BF no matter for how long and you should be very proud of yourself.

Another BIG cyber :hug:

:hug: You've done a wonderful job. My DD2 much preferred formula from around 15weeks. Rather than battle each feed and feel like a failure (yet again) we switched her to formula full time and we all thrived. Take comfort that now you've got some bfing experience. Next time you'll have more knowledge and you may be able to continue for longer or exclusively bf your next child if you choose.

Give yourself a pat on the back

you have done a great job :hug: well done on feeding for 5.5 months :)

Farmgirl....5 1/2 months what an amazing job you have done! You have given your DS the absolute best start and you should be beyond proud of yourself not beating yourself up :hug:, you have done fantastic hun :clap:

FG, a huge congratulations to you and Archer for your 5 1/2 months breastfeeding! :confetti: That's so wonderful and you can be so proud of what you have given your little man. Please don't feel like anyone is going to think "Oh, she obviously didn't do enough to make BF work" as no one here would ever think that of you - I'm just so very happy for what you've been able to do after what you've been through to get BF established.

You've done what is best for your DS and you, and what that equates to (and that's a whole lot - almost 6 months of BM goodness is absolutely fantastic!) is the very best you have and no one - including yourself - should ask for any more.

No mummy guilt required - you're awesome! :hug:

You've done so well to come this far after all the trouble you had :hug:
I hope with a bit of time to grieve that you'll look back and feel really good about what you've achieved. We do:clap:

Well done on your bfing achievement despite all of your challenges. :clap:

Thanks everyone for your support - it realy does make a difference. Over the past few weeks, when DH has become really tired, he has made signs that he wants BB, but when I've pulled up the top and off with the bra, he has not latched on...just bitten me! I feel sad that I think he still wants the comfort of the BB, but not the nutrition! Oh well, I did what I could. Thanks again.
FG