https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:28:36 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-stop-breastfeeding-1#post-365514 Sun, 28 Oct 2012 22:02:05 +0000 Mrs. Confetti 365514@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@crystbum: thanks for bumping this thread and for your sweet words. You are not alone, and yes - we rock for making it as long as we have. We are weaning slowly, and we are at about 50/50 split btwn breast feeding and formula but I'm 100% calmer knowing my lil guy is definitely getting enough to eat. Thanks to almost everyone for being so supportive in your comments :)</p> <p>@littlecasita1122: you are not a failure! You are doing your best to feed your LO and no matter what you decide to do, your LO will be just fine - stay strong! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-stop-breastfeeding-1#post-365509 Sun, 28 Oct 2012 21:57:50 +0000 pinkcupcake 365509@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We're still going strong at 8 months, although we're down to about 5 feedings now that she's eating solid foods 3x daily. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-stop-breastfeeding-1#post-365478 Sun, 28 Oct 2012 21:37:49 +0000 Mrs. Bum 365478@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@FriedBabyMama: your post is identical to my thougjts the past 48 hours! I told myself I would go 6 months too...and my little one is 4.5 months...and I just decided to start weaning and switch to formula. I too missed my body, sex drive, 'freedom' from the pumping etc..I fel very burnt out and it's draining. I say, go us! We made it 4.5 months and we rock. Time to turn a new page and move forward ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-stop-breastfeeding-1#post-344290 Wed, 17 Oct 2012 09:28:52 +0000 kiddosc 344290@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm trying to figure this out now too. E will be 5mo on Friday. I love breastfeeding, but pumping is really wearing on me. I have to pump in the morning, 3x at work, and before bed to have enough to feed him throughout the day and I only get to BF him before he goes to bed, in the middle of the night, and weekends. I really don't want to have to deal with a bottle in the middle of the night, but I'm also tired of constantly stressing about being able to pump enough for him. I'm starting to think I'll keep going until he drops his night feeding... but maybe it will get easier once he starts solids. Ugh, it's such a tough decision. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-stop-breastfeeding-1#post-344041 Wed, 17 Oct 2012 01:41:00 +0000 erinpye 344041@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I felt like that, but having formula on hand just in case took some of the pressure off. Now I don't kill myself pumping if I'm going to be gone, I just let my LO have pumped milk if there is any, or a bit of formula. It doesn't have to be all or nothing :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-stop-breastfeeding-1#post-343997 Tue, 16 Oct 2012 22:58:49 +0000 littleveesmommy 343997@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DD is 8.5 months and we are still EBF. I did notice now that she gets three solids meals a days that she reduced her milk intake slightly (I still do milk before solids for now and will likely switch to solids first in another month or so). My goal is to make it to one year but I haven't thought about how to wean yet. I'm thinking of letting DD decide how she wants to wean depending on her reduction once we increase solids and switch to solids before milk. I am a little nervous about weaning. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-stop-breastfeeding-1#post-343968 Tue, 16 Oct 2012 21:55:16 +0000 littlecasita1122 343968@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am in the same situation as you as my LO turned 4 months today. His doctor recommended we add a bottle of formula in the afternoon or evening as his weight gain was not as much as we were hoping for. I'm considering weaning altogether as I'm honestly tired of always worrying that he's getting enough. And then I have more selfish reasons for quitting - having to pump before bed is definitely hurting our love life. I feel so much pressure to keep going, though, and I'm feeling like a failure since my LO isn't gaining enough weight :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-stop-breastfeeding-1#post-343946 Tue, 16 Oct 2012 21:35:41 +0000 skibobrown 343946@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I breastfed for 3 months, but we had to supplement w/ formula from the very beginning. I never produced even close to enough milk for my daughter, so EBF was not practical. I have to admit that, even though I had been hoping to EBF for a full year, sometimes I am quite happy that I'm not physically tied to my daughter for feedings. It certainly makes working outside of the home easier, and I don't have to worry about going out with friends for a few drinks every once in a while. Still... I'm quite jealous of all of you mamas who were able to EBF for as long as you wanted to. Keep up the good work! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-stop-breastfeeding-1#post-343930 Tue, 16 Oct 2012 21:26:20 +0000 Baby Boy Mom 343930@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>At almost 16 months we are down to one or two feedings a day. I expect to stop any day now (but letting LO decide). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-stop-breastfeeding-1#post-343904 Tue, 16 Oct 2012 21:14:25 +0000 T-Mom 343904@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just stopped 3 days ago, at 13 months. LO was completely not interested any more and would cry every time I offered, even at bed time (but would gladly take a bottle of milk). With DD, I did 4 months. I really wanted it to work but just couldn't do it. Take it slow on the transition and good luck. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-stop-breastfeeding-1#post-343807 Tue, 16 Oct 2012 20:10:28 +0000 Mrs. Yoyo 343807@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We made it just under 15 months. Would have happily gone longer, but it was clear that he was losing interest, and I was OK with getting my body back! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-stop-breastfeeding-1#post-343792 Tue, 16 Oct 2012 19:59:52 +0000 honeybear 343792@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We're at 2 years now. I never thought I would say that! You're still in the stage where it can be pretty rough. Hang in there! And fwiw, nursing in the second year is super easy. We don't do it in public or anywhere inconvenient any more (and haven't since his first birthday), and it's mostly all on my schedule now. He knows when it's okay to ask and when it's not. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-stop-breastfeeding-1#post-342989 Tue, 16 Oct 2012 13:25:48 +0000 Mrs Checkers 342989@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I stopped EBF at 4 weeks; I supplemented with formula until she was 8 weeks, and then by 8 weeks she was entirely on formula. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-stop-breastfeeding-1#post-342972 Tue, 16 Oct 2012 13:22:41 +0000 babynumber1 342972@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I only made it to 3 months :( My appendix ruptured and I had to have emergency surgery. I had to pump and dump for 48 hours and my supply dramatically dropped off. LO is now 4.5 months old and is happy as a clam on formula. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-stop-breastfeeding-1#post-342806 Tue, 16 Oct 2012 12:24:12 +0000 lavender 342806@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I stopped pumping at 6mths(my goal) and nurse her in the am and pm still. She gets formula while at daycare, I felt so much more relaxed and less stressed when all the pressure was off me to be her sole provider! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-stop-breastfeeding-1#post-342669 Tue, 16 Oct 2012 11:28:42 +0000 BabyLove 342669@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Everyone's different, do what's best for you. 6 months is an accomplishment. It certainly isn't easy. I nursed until 12 months. But at 9 months I began supplementing with formula. And at 6 months LO began some solids. So maybe try to stick it out some more. Because with those additions I didn't feel quite so cow-like. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-stop-breastfeeding-1#post-342661 Tue, 16 Oct 2012 11:25:07 +0000 meredithNYC 342661@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We only made it to 2.5 months because of my low supply and I was supplementing pretty much from the beginning. At first I felt like an awful failure, but now I just feel relief. I was so depressed and stressed out of my mind worrying about whether my daughter was getting enough. I really had nothing to worry about as she took to the bottle immediately and she is such a happy girl. I plan on trying to go until 6 months with my next, but I know that if it doesn't work out I will be much easier on myself. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-stop-breastfeeding-1#post-342633 Tue, 16 Oct 2012 11:17:07 +0000 sugar 342633@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My goal was 6 months. We made it to 7.5. As soon as I stopped pumping, I dried up within weeks and she was ready to move on. Part of me is sad that I stopped, but everything seems easier now. Except for the fact that formula is expensive. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-stop-breastfeeding-1#post-342323 Tue, 16 Oct 2012 09:07:24 +0000 Mrs. Bee 342323@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>12 months and still going strong. i'd love for her to stop by 15, but i don't think that's going to happen. i don't think she's going to want to stop for a long time!</p> <p>as far as weaning, why don't you try introducing one bottle of formula and see how that goes. then maybe bump it up to two. my pediatrician told me that just two feedings of breast milk a day still gives them most of the benefits. this way it's not cold turkey and you can take the transition really slowly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-stop-breastfeeding-1#post-342317 Tue, 16 Oct 2012 09:04:41 +0000 LivsMama 342317@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Liv is almost 15 months and still going. Im thinking we will probably stop by 18, but we'll see. She nurses mornings and evenings now, and occasionally when I get home from work and she asks for it </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-stop-breastfeeding-1#post-342307 Tue, 16 Oct 2012 09:02:44 +0000 irene 342307@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO is 8+ months old now. He has nursing strike issues on and off, and he prefers the bottle more. I used to be able to nurse him morning and evening and overnight. Then he slept through the night so it cuts out 1 nursing. Recently, just a week ago, he decided he is DONE with breastfeeding. DONE! And I can tell it is a preference thing too not a nursing strike. So it broke my heart and gave me incentive to wean off pumping. </p> <p>I am now pumping 2 times a day (morning and evening).... and hoping to wean off the supply completely by the end of month.... hopefully I'd be able to do it because I just did the morning pump and 9 oz came out! It made me feel bad.</p> <p>We still have maybe 1 month of supply in the freezer but we did start giving him a bottle of formula here and there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-stop-breastfeeding-1#post-342031 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 21:51:11 +0000 rachiecakes 342031@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Down to two feedings a day at 10 months, DS is much more interested in food. He doesn't care for breast or bottle anymore. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-stop-breastfeeding-1#post-342026 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 21:45:20 +0000 KT326 342026@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My supply has slowly started going down since I went back to work 2 months ago. DS is 6 months old and we supplement with formula at daycare and I bf at home. Sometimes I do have to give him a bottle on the weekends during the day but I don't mind. I've heard that as long as you bf twice a day they are still getting all the benefits. I still pump twice at work but I'm considering stopping soon. I only get 4-5 oz total and its such a pain to have to carry everything around and wash all the parts, especially since my cat peed on my pump bag so I have it in just a regular tote bag. I say do what you are comfortable with. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-stop-breastfeeding-1#post-342007 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 21:26:56 +0000 sarac 342007@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Still going strong at 13 months. We're attempting night weaning at this point, but besides that, I love it. I hope she doesn't stop for a long time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-stop-breastfeeding-1#post-341999 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 21:18:48 +0000 autumnlove 341999@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I nursed for 8.5 months. I stopped when I was 2 months pregnant. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-stop-breastfeeding-1#post-341998 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 21:16:58 +0000 mamimami 341998@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I went 18 months. But it really does change a lot after you introduce solids and then after 12 months. It gets a lot easier and less inconvenient! </p> <p>I have to disagree with a previous poster, I have always heard that if you pump during the week, ebf on weekends is the way to go to maintain supply. Of course that doesn't mean occasionally having your husband give a bottle! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-stop-breastfeeding-1#post-341937 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 19:56:29 +0000 Mrs. Pen 341937@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>still going strong at nearly 8 months but I totally feel you!! I hate having to think about what I'm going to wear when we're in public because it has to be something easy to BF in. </p> <p>But I just try and remember that this is what's best for him, not me (well actually there are pretty awesome mama perks too - like lower risk of breast cancer!) and that when I became a mom, I had to give up my selfish desires in order to fully love and care for this special little man. That keeps me going when I want to stop :)</p> <p>I hope to continue until he's about 2 years old... we'll see ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-stop-breastfeeding-1#post-341935 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 19:55:17 +0000 MamaBehr 341935@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>With my first one she was about seven or eight months old and exclusively breastfed. Then I went away for almost a week for a work conference, and I couldn't pump as much as she was eating. So when I came back I took away one pump a day, we started supplementing. Then when she was about ten months old I stopped pumping all together (this was because I was a teacher and I couldn't lose the time during my free periods anymore, I needed to start grading etc) At about 11 months she only got me twice a day. I felt like I got my body back once I stopped pumping during the day.<br /> My second one only made it to three months because he had a horrible latch, so he wasn't gaining weight, and my milk supply was horrible. I didn't even have to stop trying with him, because the supply just wasn't there. </p> <p>My biggest tip is don't go back to exclusively nursing on the weekend. I remember dropping a pump at work and then just giving her the boob on the weekends. It totally confused my body and made it uncomfortable when I went back to work on Monday. </p> <p>Good luck!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-stop-breastfeeding-1#post-341932 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 19:51:05 +0000 T.H.O.U. 341932@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am still going at 14 months. I am trying to get down to just morning/night nursings. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-stop-breastfeeding-1#post-341925 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 19:45:59 +0000 Mrs. Confetti 341925@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've been breastfeeding now for 4.5 months, but I'm starting to miss having my body be my own and my sex drive, and I've getting burnt out on pumping and feeling like I can't just leave LO with his dad on a weekend day without worrying about the timing he'll be eating.</p> <p>I am thinking about stopping around 6 months, since that was my original goal. If you breastfed, how long did you do it? Why did you decide to stop? How was the transition - any tips? </p>