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I'm so sorry you're having a tough time. I was a sobbing mess when I weaned too, even though I was fine with weaning, some of its the hormones. I ended up going slower, which ended up being better for me but it might be better to just rip the bandaid off. Feeding is an important bonding time now but there's plenty of ways to bottle feed and bond and those babies adore kisses and cuddles and so many other things to share with mama. And it gets easier as they get older and doing so many cute fun things to do together.

Read the book Bottled Up. It really helped me come to terms with switching to formula. Also, I found that I was so hormonal when breastfeeding and weaning, that all my grief was intensified. By a few months out, it was a lot less painful and I was able to feel ok about the switch. I still get jealous and nostalgic when I see other mamas nursing, but I am mostly at peace now (almost 6 months after the switch).

All I can give is support and tell you that you will feel better in time, but it is something you do have to go through and grieve. Allow yourself that but don't let that turn into beating yourself up. It's not your fault, it's not LO's fault - it just is. And it'll be just fine in time.

I'm sorry you are feeling this way I was right there a little over a year ago with my DD and it does get better. I EPed for 6 months but always had to supplement - at 6 months I was so exhausted I switched to just formula. I was pretty much okay with it, but there was some sadness and guilt.

The things that helped me were to focus on the positives (other people can feed her! She can go longer between feedings! It's easy to be out and about!) and realize that feeding her a bottle can also be a great bonding experience. I loved watching my husband give her her 5pm bottle every night after he got home from work.

Beyond that, it helped to see her grow into a beautiful, healthy, and completely bonded little girl and realize that it didn't matter what she was fed - she was thriving. Now that she's 1.5 I honestly don't even think about it anymore.

The Fearless Formula Feeder website was also a great resource.

Good luck You're a great mom!

@clumsyatheart: I'm like a broken record on these boards with the number of times I've linked to this article about weaning-related depression, but it was SO helpful and reassuring to me when I was feeling down after weaning, so I thought I would share it with you in case it's helpful to you as well: http://joannagoddard.blogspot.com/2012/02/motherhood-depression-and-weaning.html

I'm sorry. My LO was combo fed (BF, pumped milk, and formula) for 2 months and then just I had to stop BF at 2 mo (just pumped milk and formula) for another 2 mo after before I stopped pumping and switched her fully to formula.

Now at almost a year old.... I don't regret quitting because it was the right decision for her and for me... but honestly it still sucks. I feel bad about myself for not being able to just nurse her. Not like I should have tried harder, because I think I tried as hard as I could. Just like... I'm broken because I couldn't produce enough for her and make it work. And my feelings are complicated because its not that I think she'd be doing better on milk or anything... she's just fine on formula. But I am still just extremely jealous of anyone who can just breastfeed their babies without drama. I would have thought I'd be over it by now... but I"m not. I do think its getting a bit better though? Its more like a dull ache rather than the initial crying associated with my giving it up initially. And I think once she is off bottles it will improve significantly. At that point we'll be right where we would've been before so it won't be a constant reminder several times every day that I'm not feeding her how I wanted to.

Hang in there.

Hugs! It's such a raw spot for a lot of moms. I made it til 9 months before I had to start supplementing because of poor weight gain. After he had formula he started rejecting the breast and we quickly turned to exclusive FF. It hurt for a while, but time does make it better.

Be easy on yourself! I know it stings.

I just want to say that you're not alone. I have IGT/hypoplastic breasts and it is so hard to move forward!! Make a list of all the ways you're an amazing mom. Remember that list daily!