https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 24 Apr 2026 17:12:08 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-your-early-weaning-experiences#post-2319028 Wed, 14 Oct 2015 09:08:27 +0000 jlm22 2319028@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ldh112: Around 3 months or so, I would give her a pretty sizeable bottle after she nursed and she would GUZZLE it down. Honestly, after nursing her and then giving her a bottle right after for about 2 months, I just stopped cold turkey with day time nursing sessions. I think your body regulates itself because I had no problem just nursing in the AM / PM. However, it only lasted a couple of months and my supply eventually dried up, so just know that it will happen eventually. Since I had supply issues I didn't really have problems with engorgement when I went to AM / PM nursing. I don't know if this is the right way to do it, so if anyone else is more knowledgeable, please chime in! I will say that our days became SO much better for the both of us when we made the switch. I love knowing exactly what she is getting and not having to worry that she will be screaming because she's hungry 10 min after she nurses. Good luck! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-your-early-weaning-experiences#post-2318239 Tue, 13 Oct 2015 17:51:57 +0000 ldh112 2318239@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jlm22: i am thinking i'd like to keep up with morning and night nursing. how did you get to that point without losing your whole supply? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-your-early-weaning-experiences#post-2318238 Tue, 13 Oct 2015 17:51:11 +0000 ldh112 2318238@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BabyBoecksMom: yes. i do think i am going to take it super slow since i am not going back to work for a couple more months. will start with maybe one feeding a week and re-evaluate. i'd like to nurse as long as i can. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-your-early-weaning-experiences#post-2316864 Mon, 12 Oct 2015 14:18:06 +0000 MrsSRS 2316864@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ldh112: I believe, but am not certain, that sudafed is only dangerous because it can ruin a milk supply. If you're already supplementing after each nursing, then I would just nurse for fewer minutes every day each session and then when you feel ready stop one session every few days. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-your-early-weaning-experiences#post-2316860 Mon, 12 Oct 2015 14:12:48 +0000 ldh112 2316860@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsSRS: I haven't responded well to a pump (output has been maybe an ounce or so between both breasts, even with a hospital grade pump). Otherwise I would be fine to switch completely! As is stands, I will be adding more bottles in daily anyway since she isn't gaining at the moment. I did buy some sudafed today and will start it. I am assuming it won't be bad for the baby? I am on the lookout for mood issues (poor husband) but I think between being on zoloft and having a new counselor I should hopefully get through it :)</p> <p>@jlm22: thank you for sharing your story. way to go for meeting your goal! i can't believe we made it 16 weeks! i was hoping for 6 months but with the weight gain not happening i think this is the best route for us. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-your-early-weaning-experiences#post-2316857 Mon, 12 Oct 2015 14:08:22 +0000 ldh112 2316857@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: Yes I have also been worried about this happening. I just got on an SSRI last week and started counseling (sort of anticipating weaning at some point soon and also wanted help with PPD symptoms related to BF issues) so I hope that offers extra support for the change. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-your-early-weaning-experiences#post-2316856 Mon, 12 Oct 2015 14:07:24 +0000 ldh112 2316856@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BabyBoecksMom: I believe I am following! So, say I nurse her at 930 and then cut a noon time feeding and offer a bottle. Then I don't offer her the boob for another 2-3 hours (which means no breast feeding from 930-230). Then in a couple days I pick another feeding to cut later in the day.<br /> Something like this? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-your-early-weaning-experiences#post-2316855 Mon, 12 Oct 2015 14:06:43 +0000 MrsSRS 2316855@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with the PP who suggested a decongestant. Would you be comfortable switching to all bottles right now and slowly spacing out how often and for how long you pump? That might be easiest. I also agree with the PP who said that weaning triggers some hormone drops that can make you feel a bit depressed. It passes, try to remember that! Hope this is an easy transition for you!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-your-early-weaning-experiences#post-2316854 Mon, 12 Oct 2015 14:05:57 +0000 jlm22 2316854@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This happened to me too. DD would never be satisfied after nursing and she would guzzle bottles right after... It was so stressful! Around 4.5 month I decided to get over my guilt and nurse in the AM and before bed and then bottles during the day. We were both SO much happier! Just this weekend (almost 6.5 months) we had our last nursing session as my supply is completely gone. Even though I knew it was coming (and I didn't find BFing all that magical!) I was really upset. I keep telling myself that she is so much happier with bottles and she is getting all the nutrition she needs with formula. DH reminded me I can't nurse her til she is 19 ;) My goal was 6 months and I made it, so I'm happy with it. Honestly... It's a lot less stressful now that I don't worry about my supply, etc. You are doing a great job and I think without all of the dress of LC appts, etc you are going to find yourself enjoying your baby so much more! Formula is not the devil and you are an awesome mom. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-your-early-weaning-experiences#post-2316843 Mon, 12 Oct 2015 13:55:11 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2316843@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ldh112: Just an FYI, any time you wean, your hormones can be out of whack and cause a bit of PPD. I know I went crazy for a week or two after weaning my daughter at 18 months and it seems to be very common. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-your-early-weaning-experiences#post-2316842 Mon, 12 Oct 2015 13:54:59 +0000 BabyBoecksMom 2316842@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ldh112: Sorry, I should have clarified. You will need to space out how often you empty the breast, but you still need to feed her every 2-3 hours as she has been. I would start giving her formula (or mixing your breastmilk with formula), to make sure she's getting enough to eat, while you are spacing it out. Does that make sense? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-your-early-weaning-experiences#post-2316835 Mon, 12 Oct 2015 13:49:14 +0000 ldh112 2316835@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BabyBoecksMom: I have had mastitis 3 times so I am a bit leery of creating an environment for yet another infection! So if I am understanding correctly, with slowly dropping feeds (my plan is every 3 or so days depending on how my boobs are feeling), you are also suggesting to space her feedings out a little more as well? Currently she eats every 2-3 hours. I just need to make sure she is getting enough ounces in daily especially since her weight has stalled the last 10 days. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-your-early-weaning-experiences#post-2316832 Mon, 12 Oct 2015 13:46:33 +0000 ldh112 2316832@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsF: It's good to hear you had positive feelings. I think I will with a little bit of time. I anticipated weaning around 6 months anyway since my pumping output is minimal and that is when I plan to go back to work- there would be no way BF would be sustainable at that point. I think the positives will outweigh the sadness I currently feel, particularly since I just decided today to stop. I cut out a midday session and will take it slowly from here. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-your-early-weaning-experiences#post-2316818 Mon, 12 Oct 2015 13:37:36 +0000 BabyBoecksMom 2316818@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't wean early (I continued to supplement for a long time). But, now that I've weaned twice and I was very susceptible to clogged ducts, the best advice I can give you is to go slow. I started by taking more time between pumping/feeding. Adding an hour or so between them for a few days, and then adding another hour between them (or skipping one at time). It took me a full 2 weeks to completely stop. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-your-early-weaning-experiences#post-2316792 Mon, 12 Oct 2015 13:25:01 +0000 MrsF 2316792@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ldh112: In hindsight think I was having some PPD and I was finding breastfeeding as a first time mom to a colicky baby so overwhelming. I think that any emotional changes for me with weaning were positive because it just felt like such a huge relief to not be worried about BF issues any more. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-your-early-weaning-experiences#post-2316698 Mon, 12 Oct 2015 12:23:27 +0000 charlotte 2316698@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just began the process a week ago by going an increasing number of hours between pumps (I was EPing) and reducing the minutes. Then after like 3 days I got impatient and got Sudafed, cabbage leaves, and ibuprofen and stopped cold turkey. The first 3 days of that part were a bit painful and I was definitely leaking often. BUT now I am no longer in pain and back in my old pre-preg bras!</p> <p>I was also feeling some PPD/PPA while pumping due to the stress of the schedule and worrying about my LO (bad latch from start, poor weight gain, ended up being dairy intolerant and has reflux). I felt SO MUCH BETTER this weekend having my body back to myself and being able to give bottles, monitor intake, and know that it isn't hurting her stomach. </p> <p>Our pediatrician told me I made the right choice for our situation and he supports me 110 percent. He mentioned that babies thrive with a happy face to look at and it is not worth making yourself miserable to continue breastfeeding. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-your-early-weaning-experiences#post-2316692 Mon, 12 Oct 2015 12:17:47 +0000 blackbird 2316692@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I took sudafed and advil to dry myself up. I was uncomfortable for about 3 days and since she was kicking and wriggling so much, I just handed her to DH a lot. Relieved a little pressure in the shower as needed, but every day the discomfort/pain just dropped. And like littlejoy, once I was totally dry and past it, it was just like a huge relief off my shoulder to not try to combo feed E anymore. Like ok, we picked one. No going back. WHEW. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-your-early-weaning-experiences#post-2316678 Mon, 12 Oct 2015 12:05:46 +0000 ldh112 2316678@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsF: how about the emotional impact? i think i've had a bit of PPD (directly correlating to breast-feeding issues in my opinion). i started counseling last week and got on an SSRI so i hope with the extra support i will feel better about things! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-your-early-weaning-experiences#post-2316659 Mon, 12 Oct 2015 11:55:27 +0000 littlejoy 2316659@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just wanted to tell you I feel for you. I was in your shoes ... when we finally weaned, and went to formula and donor milk, I was much happier. I was happy for any breastmilk I was able to make, but I didn't realize the psychological toll it took on me. </p> <p>As far as your body, there are some herbs that can really help dry your milk. (Sage and peppermint, I believe) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-your-early-weaning-experiences#post-2316657 Mon, 12 Oct 2015 11:52:56 +0000 MrsF 2316657@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I stopped pretty much cold turkey with my first LO at 10 weeks. Not fun. I wouldn't recommend it. Go slowly, cabbage leaves in your bra, take sudafed to dry up. Formula feeding was definitely best for both me and my DD. I hope things go well for you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-your-early-weaning-experiences#post-2316653 Mon, 12 Oct 2015 11:50:35 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2316653@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, You'll want to drop slowly. Good luck! You can always look to take some sudafed or something. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/talk-to-me-about-your-early-weaning-experiences#post-2316650 Mon, 12 Oct 2015 11:48:43 +0000 ldh112 2316650@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've been supplementing since 2 weeks and my almost 16 week old is not gaining weight well anymore and transferring a little less than 2 oz at weighed feeds. I have decided to come to terms with the struggle that breastfeeding has been and go ahead and wean her. </p> <p>Not looking to be swayed to continue combo-feeding :) I really do think between constant LC appointments, supplements, etc I have done everything I can to make this work. It is definitely an emotional thing to make this decision, so I am only looking for encouragement and advice. I have been told to drop a feeding every 3 or so days to hopefully avoid any infections. </p>