My beautiful little girl has weaned....breastfed for 22 amazing months.

[Shanti]

I want to share with you that my little girl who is 22mths old, isn't really breastfeeding anymore.
I fell pregnant when she was 19mths old and she was feeding quite regularly at that time (not overnight) throughout the day (4-5 feeds). Early pregnancy, I found breastfeeding quite uncomfortable so we dropped a couple of the feeds she was having (gradually and gently) and within a few weeks into pregnancy she was just having a morning, lunch and evening (bedtime) breastfeed. She was happy with this and it was going well, although the whole time I found my nipple (only feed R side) to feel VERY uncomfortable and tender! This carried on for weeks and sometimes I did have to shorten the feeds with her if it was hurting me and I'd let her know she could have some more if she wished but she had to come off at the moment as it was hurting Mummy.
Each time, she was fine with this and never fussed or got upset.

Gradually, probably the last 6 weeks she has really cut down on her feed 'times' and she would only get on for a short time and then hop off. I felt she wasn't feeding much and I'd ask her 'do you want more milk?' but she seemed content with just feeding very quickly. So, with the pregnancy and this happening my milk supply has diminished quite rapidly (alot to do with the pregnancy I believe too) and just two weeks ago, DD was getting milk out but not much at all.
We've also been doing alot of "dry feeding" as they put it and it was pretty uncomfortable for me but I stuck with it for DD's sake and hoping she would get more milk out.

2 weeks ago I was happy to go down to just 1 night feed per day if that's what DD wants but it seems that isn't going to happen now as there simply is no milk left I even tried to express with my pump a week ago to see if I could get anything out (i could always express easily) and after 10mins, nope nothing! Dry.I've had a few almost teary moments about it but I'm also really happy that we've made it this far that it's a HAPPY time too! And I could never see myself BF for years and years anyway. In fact LOL! I used to sometimes worry about DD never wanting to give BF up and I was thinking she'd still want it at 5yrs of age and I just couldn't see myself doing that.....
I'm so happy she has weaned when she has seemed ready to wean and it's happened gently and not forced. It all seems to be a natural progression with me being pregnant and DD nearing the age of 2 when self weaning seems possible anyway.

I had a goal if we could reach to 2 yrs I'd be stoked but do you know what? That doesn't matter We reached 22 mths and that's AWESOME!!!!
There once was a time when I had to take it day by day and didn't even think I would probably make it to 3mths of age feeding DD!!!!! (we had really challenging probs for first 4mths!!) So to make it this far, is just friggen awesome and I'm SO PROUD of my achievements and DD's achievements to make it this far. She's been such a booby kid and has loved her Mummy's milk for 22 mths and I can't expect any more than that from her

As we are today, DD still asks for it (2-3 times a day) but it's just comfort she is seeking and it's familiar and something she has done for nearly 2yrs now so I am guessing that's just part of the weaning process? I let her have it and she just 'dry' sucks (which is uncomfortable for me) and gets nothing out and then jumps off my lap happy

Can someone please let me know how long i can expect DD to keep doing this for? Barb? I'm a bit confused about that part that's all! I'd be happy if she wanted to take up BF again when bub arrives too, I am just going to take it as it comes. Seeing as she does still want to use it to just suck, perhaps she will? not sure..... so many mixed emotions about all of it but I'm sure that's normal.

Thanks for reading

[~Gee_Whizzy~]

Well done hun

[Shanti]

Thanks hun

[Sterla]

Well done Shanti - your breastfeeding journey is truly an amazing one and such an inspiration to so many of us!

I know exactly what you mean about being a little sad, but also feeling joy at what you've achieved - mixed emotions, but ultimately a happy conclusion to a beautiful 22 months!

I don't know how long she'll keep asking for it - DS kept asking for booby after my milk had gone for a few weeks, and gradually he asked less and less, and eventually just stopped altogether.

Well done Shanti . You should be very proud! (must be the day for weaning stories ).

[Heaven]

Congrats Shanti!! Such a great achievement!!

I don't know the answer to your question though... She might just slowly ask less and less... Or else it could go the other way and she could not end up weaning, lol. When I had hardly any milk (because of pg too) DD was the same, just having really short feeds and not even asking for it except to get her to sleep, but then I got colostrum and she's gone back to having longer feeds and insisting on having a morning feed again when she wasn't fussed before. So I have no idea!!

Well done on feeding for so long, I'm sure it's contributed to her being the smart, happy little girl she is!!

[Shanti]

Well done Shanti - your breastfeeding journey is truly an amazing one and such an inspiration to so many of us!

I know exactly what you mean about being a little sad, but also feeling joy at what you've achieved - mixed emotions, but ultimately a happy conclusion to a beautiful 22 months!

I don't know how long she'll keep asking for it - DS kept asking for booby after my milk had gone for a few weeks, and gradually he asked less and less, and eventually just stopped altogether.

Well done Shanti . You should be very proud! (must be the day for weaning stories ).

Thanks Sterla, I'm so proud of you too! We have both done so well....and you did it even after that MCHN told you you couldn't !!! woohoo!!
It sure is a mixed emotions thing huh??? I think no matter how long you feed them for, that's just part of it all isn't it..... very happy times but also a bit sad as it means they're growing up and that 'part' of our bonding is no longer.... until she stops asking I'll keep giving it to her anyway as long as she wants to suck until like you said your DS did, she just stops one day I guess? but yeah I can't really call it BF'ing anymore as there is no milk.

I read your story and it prompted me to write mine had to be in the right head space for it. It's good to know you're going through the same thing as me now

[Shanti]

Congrats Shanti!! Such a great achievement!!

I don't know the answer to your question though... She might just slowly ask less and less... Or else it could go the other way and she could not end up weaning, lol. When I had hardly any milk (because of pg too) DD was the same, just having really short feeds and not even asking for it except to get her to sleep, but then I got colostrum and she's gone back to having longer feeds and insisting on having a morning feed again when she wasn't fussed before. So I have no idea!!

Well done on feeding for so long, I'm sure it's contributed to her being the smart, happy little girl she is!!

Thanks Heaven! I wondered that myself..... perhaps she will try and take milk out again once my colostrum kicks in....? so I'll keep letting her suck anyway even if it is a bit uncomfortable, it's not for long each time anyway.

It's sad but I have another baby to BF on the way that I can look forward to also

[hj1981]

well done Shanti!!!! thats fantastic! and here i am some nights contemplating changing to formula cause im so tired, and the cluster feeds drive me batty! im 3wks 2days into it so i got along way too go yet!

[Jennifer13]

Well done, Shanti. I can't believe how well you've done, it seems only yesterday when you were asking about all your newborn challenges!! You'll be well prepared for #2 and I bet there are plenty of other mums that you'll be able to help now.

[human bean]

I think it's an awesome and inspiring! Congrats

[Laranna]

Well done Shanti!!! You've done an outstanding job feeding your little girl, you must be super proud especially after the challenges in the beginning which I completely understand what you went through! I'm not sure on the answers to your question but I know it will all work out in the best way. Here's to a continuing breastfeeding journey with your new bundle!

[onthefly]

Well done!

DS 'dry fed' for 8-9 weeks I think. Then just suddenly stopped asking.