I am absolutely heartbroken. I've been crying for over an hour now. I never thought I'd take it this hard. 
I've been battling a low supply from the beginning. I've fought hard to make it this far and was determined to make it to at least a year. Tonight I pumped for 15 minutes and got less than 1/4 oz combined. I think I'm officially drying up.
I'm not taking this well.
How did you come to terms with weaning? Any advice on how to make this any easier?
GOLD / coconut / 8266 posts
I cried. And cried some more. And cried some more. And then I read this again: http://www.hellobee.com/2013/06/19/why-i-think-formula-is-awesome/. We both made it over 6 months...that's pretty damn awesome. Pat yourself on the back and enjoy having your body back. 
papaya / 10473 posts
No more tears! You have worked your butt off for B, and you should be proud of how long you made it. I don't know many people who would have gotten as far as you did if they were in your shoes
cantaloupe / 6086 posts
no advice just hugs
it's ok to grieve as you need to - and the hormones will probably make it harder - take care of yourself. and remember that you are still doing a wonderful job taking care of the baby no matter what, and that's the most important thing.
coconut / 8279 posts
don't cry, mama
I struggled, too.
You're such a great mom! Be proud and be good to yourself, you deserve it
pear / 1879 posts
You've done such an amazing job! I know how absolutely heartbreaking that can feel (I started supplementing after my return to work and I took it hard) but you have done the best- and will continue to do the best!- for you LO.
Big hugs
pomelo / 5820 posts
You did a wonderful job! I was pretty upset when my supply ran out. I was pumping at the end and I slowly got less and less each day. I only made it to 4 months. But, it's nice to have my body back... there's that silver lining! B loves you no matter how you feed him. I promise. You should be proud that you made it to that 6 month mark! Hugs
persimmon / 1436 posts
Big hugs to you
You should feel proud to have gotten as far as you did!
coconut / 8861 posts
Hugs. I cried when I dried up. Then, I was relieved that we made as far as we did with it. The blog post on formula really comforted me about switching to formula. Both LO and I were happier when we did. That's what mattered most to me.
nectarine / 2964 posts
Sorry.....
I did not take it well at all, but it was a process of months. LO had on and off nursing strikes, and I know it was coming. I was devastated and depressed for months, wondering why am I the unlucky one that LO didn't like breastfeeding, and I always wondered what have I done wrong. I would have breastfed until LO is much older if he wanted, but he didn't. And like you said, I didn't even make it to the 1 year goal.
In those months I slowly adjusted myself, and was pretty much OK when we had our last nursing session (I did take a lot of pictures and even videos toward the end). Our last nursing session was at 8.5 months (LO refused breastfeeding for good since) and I pumped until 10 months. I didn't cry, but it was bittersweet.
However, as much as I cherished it, looking back I have to say breastfeeding is actually quite overrated. Now I am mad at myself for not being able to enjoy LO when he was a baby because I was so stressed out about breastfeeding. The truth is formula-fed babies all turned out to be really bright little kids! So don't worry, you will know what I am talking about in a few weeks/months.
And for now, hugs and . I think you did great.
bananas / 9118 posts
You have done amazing! You have a very lucky little guy whose mama loves him very much and has worked and sacrificed- for now, focus on the good parts of weaning, it's going to take time though. Hang in there and snuggle your little guy.
GOLD / wonderful pea / 17697 posts
@rahlyrah: Big, big hugs. You've done an AMAZING job mama!
pineapple / 12566 posts
Big hugs mama! You've worked so hard and have a beautiful little boy to show for it.
pomegranate / 3706 posts
You did a GREAT job! It's not easy when we envision ourselves making it to a year, to have to give up earlier. I had to stop at 8.5 months and cried my heart out, but once I got past those couple of emotional days, it was a huge relief. Your baby will be absolutely fine, and so will you. Let it be OK, and breathe. Big hugs
pomegranate / 3577 posts
@rahlyrah: The only thing that made it easier was time. 
You are a rockstar for getting this far. Isn't it amazing...something that I never gave a second's thought pre-baby has become profoundly hard to give away. I feel you, mama. ((Hugs))
honeydew / 7586 posts
Thanks ladies! It was a rough night, and it's going to kill me every time he goes for the boob and I have to tell him no. I did find that blog post very comforting though!
honeydew / 7909 posts
@swedishfish: I'm struggling with bfing right now and that article is just what I needed! THANK YOU!
@rahlyrah: you did awesome! I'm so proud of you and you should be proud of yourself!
papaya / 10570 posts
@rahlyrah: Hang on, isn't your baby 6 months old? You made it to six months!!!! WOW! I remember your early posts - I remember the day, very early on, when you were convinced your bf journey was over - and now look!! You made it to six months! You gave your baby the very, very best start despite all the odds. Six months is the age they say that you *should* breastfeed until - anything past that is just extra awesomeness. You did it!! You need to celebrate that, I think!
I have cried buckets of tears over not being able to breastfeed. Even months later, it still stings sometimes. But formula is the business - my baby would be dead without formula, fact. Instead, she is happy, healthy, beautiful, clever and looks at me like I'm the most incredible person in the world because, to her, I am - breast or no breast. Your baby doesn't care where his food comes from, believe me. He will soon get used to drinking solely from the bottle and you will still be his sun and his moon, I promise. Hugs. xxx
pomegranate / 3212 posts
6 months is amazing. You've done such an amazing job, and continue to do so every day, it's clear. hugs.
wonderful grape / 20453 posts
You've done a great job!! Focus on the good things about not breastfeeding-no sore boobs, having your body back, etc?
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