She has weaned...

I think my big girl has weaned. Well, I say 'think' because I can't quite believe it, but I'm pretty sure she has.

She was feeding much less frequently for a while, only every second or third day and usually only if she hurt herself or was sick or just not feeling great. Then we went on a holiday in August for 2 weeks and she only had 2 feeds while we were there because there were much more interesting things to do. When we got back she started feeding again though, and I told her how I noticed she hadn't had much lately and maybe she was growing up now! She told me she was getting a big girl and soon she wouldn't have booby any more. In the next couple of weeks she told me a few times that this was her last BF because she was a big girl now, and the gaps between feeds got bigger again.

On her last feed she told me it was going to be her last because she was a big girl now and that DD2 could still have it because she was a baby. So we snuggled up and I tried to remember everything about her last feed and I told her how much I had enjoyed feeding her and how special this time was and how much I loved her. Then I told her how proud I was of her that she was growing up so nicely and that now that she didn't have booby anymore if she wanted some special time she could just ask and we would have cuddles together. Oh, I'm getting teary writing that now.

The next day she asked if we could have a party and when I asked why she said 'To celebrate me! To celebrate me because I'm a big girl now and I don't have booby any more!'. So we baked a cake and put on party hats and celebrated her :)

That was 4 weeks ago and she hasn't had a feed again. It is bittersweet. I fed her for almost exactly 3.5years. 18 months of that tandem feeding with her little sister. I know my family thought it was odd but it was awesome and special and I will treasure it forever.

Oh my big girl, it is so hard to see you grow and not have you as my baby any more but I am full of pride and love for you and the amazing little girl you are xx

Thought I'd also share a picture of us feeding at 3ys 2 months which I'm so glad I have now: https://www.bellybelly.com.au/forums/album.php?albumid=533&attachmentid=2948 (it's a private BB album so you'll just have to add me as a friend to see it :) )

That is gorgeous. I started tearing up!

I teared up also. Congrats on such a long beautiful BF journey.

OMG I started tearing up too! What a beautiful story, and the party is a lovely way to end your BF journey with her.. Love the photo such a treasured moment :heartbeat:

What a beautiful way to wean, how special you got to know and cherish that last feed :) It is such a bittersweet moment.

Awe hun what a wonderful, special bond the both of you have.

Brought tears to my eyes reading that.

Well done to you both. Such a magical journey. xx

:loveshower: That is gorgeous! Congratulations to both of you and to you for raising such a special girl. :hug:

Aww that's amazing, made me cry too

Thanks for sharing! That's a very special picture

aww that is awesome
we are going through the throngs of DS starting to wean but then deciding that he doesnt want to as he is still to little!
such a beautiful last feed story!!
well done hun- you have done an amazing job!!!
xxx

That is amazing Heaven. What beautiful way to end a beautiful and amazing relationship. Love it!

That is an absolutley wonderful reason for a celebration. You and your DD1 have had an amazing journey.

such a beautiful story. well done :hug:

Congratulations and way to go to you and your big girl. Beautiful!!!

What an awesome story!

Warm and fuzzies :D I can't believe it either!

:hug:
What a privilege to be able to celebrate like that.

Thanks everyone for your lovely comments :)

It was a perfect ending to a great BFing relationship. I am so glad she gave me warning that it was going to be the last feed so I could remember it. I am one of those people that likes that kind of thing and towards the end was worrying which feed would be her last and that I wouldn't know it was her last until it was over, lol. She knows me too well :) And I am so happy that she self weaned, that was my goal, and I'm really happy that we achieved it and got to end on such a positive note.

Oh Heaven, that is so so beautiful - I'm teary here too! Such a beautiful, peaceful end to such a special time. So that was what her big girl party was all about!

Lovely to read, hun. Such a special moment for you both. What a treasure you have there!

oh that's just lovely. make me teary.
how nice for both of you :)

You are so awesome. So are your lovely girls. You just totally rock!
Your post made me cry too! So special :) :clap:

That's so special Heaven! Those pics you took of her feeding are so special. I did that a few months ago with Ava (although mine weren't as professionally done!) while I could..... Ava still asks for it!!

You have done an amazing job hun. I had tears reading that. :hug:

beautiful x

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So that was what her big girl party was all about!

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haha, yep! That was it :)

I get teary reading your post because I find myself often wondering lately if DS will decide to wean soon. He's about to reach 3 1/2 years and feeds most mornings, but will sometimes skip a day, and also the feeds are often fairly short. Like you, I find myself trying to remember the feed just in case it turns out to be the last one. I absolutely adore your photo and really wish that my husband knew what the back of the camera looked like, but he can't even pretend to be a photographer, lol.

Wonderful breastfeeding journey hun! I'm proud of both you and your DD ♥

Just beautiful!

That's so beautiful. Well done for such a fabulous BFing relationship, you should be so proud of yourselves. Thank you for sharing.

what a beautiful mama you are heaven. congratulations on a wonderful, baby/child-led breastfeeding relationship with your daughter. enjoy the next phase of your relationship with your dd :hug:

Thanks everyone :)

Heaven, the ABA Essence magazine is looking for stories on weaning atm if you were interested in sharing with a wider audience. e'mail mothertomother@breastfeeding.asn.au

Thanks, HotI, I might just do that!

What a smart and special little girl you have. She sounds like pure joy.

Congrats on such a wonderful bfing journey with your DD!

Beautiful photo.

Such a beautiful story :)

Thanks for sharing your story. I don't think DD is at that stage yet but just thinking abt it makes me a bit sad. Your story shows me its going to be ok. So thank you.