Weaning Cold Turkey At 11 Months
Poppy turned 11 months on Monday, and for some reason on that day, my body decided it was time to stop breastfeeding.
We have been talking to you about our slow weaning process over the past few months. But, because Poppy always loved to breastfeed, I thought it would be a while until we actually were done. One feed a day, usually her afternoon feed, we replaced with a bottle. It worked great for us. She seemed happier when she had formula in the afternoon and it hadn’t seemed to affect my milk supply at all. But, in doing so I had noticed that my baby weight was coming off easier. I chalked it up to my workouts that I had been doing.
2 weeks ago, I was given the opportunity to fly to Toronto for an event with Pampers. It was the second trip away from Poppy in less than 3 months and I think that’s where things decided to go down hill. Once I arrived in Toronto, I realized that I didn’t have all of the parts for my pump. Not even thinking that I could have purchased the missing parts from the drug store until I was boarding the plane to return home, I went the 30 hours with only self-expressing myself every few hours. Since then, Poppy seemed to get frustrated at my breast as though she wasn’t getting what she wanted and seemed starving after each feed. We decided to add another feed of formula into the day cutting breastfeeding down to first thing in the morning, after her morning nap and before bed. I noticed that my engorgement that I would have before I fed was totally gone and I just felt empty.
Last week, we left for PEI on our family road trip. We didn’t think about bringing formula or a bottle because we had me. By Poppy’s bedtime, we learned that was a huge mistake. My milk supply just wasn’t cutting it anymore. Jump to this Monday and Poppy’s 11th month. My breasts were done. Usually waking up leaking, they didnt. They wouldn’t even supply her enough during our morning feed to keep her from fussing without a bottle. So, Rob and I decided with a heavy heart, to stop my stress over not being able to satisfy her, and just cut out breastfeeding cold turkey.
We are at the end of day three and it seems to be a piece of cake for her. She is a bit fussier than usual and her stomach is getting used to being solely on formula, but all in all, going well. It has helped that we started slowly cutting her feeds out one at a time.
With that being said, it still weighs heavy on me. Aubrey weaned himself at 8 months, and I was excited to be able to choose myself when to stop having these slow, quiet, moments with my possibly last baby. The fact that it was my body that made the decision, took that decision from me again and I get a small glimpse into the feeling that a woman gets when she can’t nurse at all. What I have to remind myself of is the fact that we had 11 successful months of feeding her, and nothing can take that away.
What has been your weaning journey?
My milk never came in fully and my daughter couldn’t latch..after one week I had to switch to formula. I was devastated. I had an awful, bed ridden pregnancy, a near death experience during my birth (we both almost died) & then wham, after reading all the books and joining BF support groups, here I was “failing” at another part of motherhood (or so I’d tell myself)..but my child was so happy and filled after the bottles that I could no longer feel guilty..she was gaining weight and no longer fussing. We later learned she has a speech and motorneurological issue that affects her ability to talk, make mouth shapes etc which probably added to her frustration when she was breastfeeding/trying to latch (only she was too small to tell us)..now I feel so happy about my decision to quit trying breastfeeding even though at the time I felt awful. Sometimes little pictures or stories about how everyone “should” breastfeed makes me feel like a failure but then I remind myself that their story isn’t my story and that I don’t need to feel shame. Thanks for sharing your story with us❤️❤️
My milk never came in fully and my daughter couldn’t latch..after one week I had to switch to formula. I was devastated. I had an awful, bed ridden pregnancy, a near death experience during my birth (we both almost died) & then wham, after reading all the books and joining BF support groups, here I was “failing” at another part of motherhood (or so I’d tell myself)..but my child was so happy and filled after the bottles that I could no longer feel guilty..she was gaining weight and no longer fussing. We later learned she has a speech and motorneurological issue that affects her ability to talk, make mouth shapes etc which probably added to her frustration when she was breastfeeding/trying to latch (only she was too small to tell us)..now I feel so happy about my decision to quit trying breastfeeding even though at the time I felt awful. Sometimes little pictures or stories about how everyone “should” breastfeed makes me feel like a failure but then I remind myself that their story isn’t my story and that I don’t need to feel shame. Thanks for sharing your story with us❤️❤️
My milk never came in fully and my daughter couldn’t latch..after one week I had to switch to formula. I was devastated. I had an awful, bed ridden pregnancy, a near death experience during my birth (we both almost died) & then wham, after reading all the books and joining BF support groups, here I was “failing” at another part of motherhood (or so I’d tell myself)..but my child was so happy and filled after the bottles that I could no longer feel guilty..she was gaining weight and no longer fussing. We later learned she has a speech and motorneurological issue that affects her ability to talk, make mouth shapes etc which probably added to her frustration when she was breastfeeding/trying to latch (only she was too small to tell us)..now I feel so happy about my decision to quit trying breastfeeding even though at the time I felt awful. Sometimes little pictures or stories about how everyone “should” breastfeed makes me feel like a failure but then I remind myself that their story isn’t my story and that I don’t need to feel shame. Thanks for sharing your story with us❤️❤️
My milk never came in fully and my daughter couldn’t latch..after one week I had to switch to formula. I was devastated. I had an awful, bed ridden pregnancy, a near death experience during my birth (we both almost died) & then wham, after reading all the books and joining BF support groups, here I was “failing” at another part of motherhood (or so I’d tell myself)..but my child was so happy and filled after the bottles that I could no longer feel guilty..she was gaining weight and no longer fussing. We later learned she has a speech and motorneurological issue that affects her ability to talk, make mouth shapes etc which probably added to her frustration when she was breastfeeding/trying to latch (only she was too small to tell us)..now I feel so happy about my decision to quit trying breastfeeding even though at the time I felt awful. Sometimes little pictures or stories about how everyone “should” breastfeed makes me feel like a failure but then I remind myself that their story isn’t my story and that I don’t need to feel shame. Thanks for sharing your story with us❤️❤️
My milk never came in fully and my daughter couldn’t latch..after one week I had to switch to formula. I was devastated. I had an awful, bed ridden pregnancy, a near death experience during my birth (we both almost died) & then wham, after reading all the books and joining BF support groups, here I was “failing” at another part of motherhood (or so I’d tell myself)..but my child was so happy and filled after the bottles that I could no longer feel guilty..she was gaining weight and no longer fussing. We later learned she has a speech and motorneurological issue that affects her ability to talk, make mouth shapes etc which probably added to her frustration when she was breastfeeding/trying to latch (only she was too small to tell us)..now I feel so happy about my decision to quit trying breastfeeding even though at the time I felt awful. Sometimes little pictures or stories about how everyone “should” breastfeed makes me feel like a failure but then I remind myself that their story isn’t my story and that I don’t need to feel shame. Thanks for sharing your story with us❤️❤️
For me I only got 3 weeks. She loved to breastfeed and I was just getting the hang of it but my milk never came in…I never leaked,couldn’t pump an ounce and my breasts actually got smaller not bigger. She was losing weight so quickly and we had to switch to formula. I felt guilty because no one warned us that not ever woman can breastfeed. My daughter is happy and healthy at 5 and no one should feel guilty for stopping at any time for any reason 🙂
For me I only got 3 weeks. She loved to breastfeed and I was just getting the hang of it but my milk never came in…I never leaked,couldn’t pump an ounce and my breasts actually got smaller not bigger. She was losing weight so quickly and we had to switch to formula. I felt guilty because no one warned us that not ever woman can breastfeed. My daughter is happy and healthy at 5 and no one should feel guilty for stopping at any time for any reason 🙂
For me I only got 3 weeks. She loved to breastfeed and I was just getting the hang of it but my milk never came in…I never leaked,couldn’t pump an ounce and my breasts actually got smaller not bigger. She was losing weight so quickly and we had to switch to formula. I felt guilty because no one warned us that not ever woman can breastfeed. My daughter is happy and healthy at 5 and no one should feel guilty for stopping at any time for any reason 🙂
For me I only got 3 weeks. She loved to breastfeed and I was just getting the hang of it but my milk never came in…I never leaked,couldn’t pump an ounce and my breasts actually got smaller not bigger. She was losing weight so quickly and we had to switch to formula. I felt guilty because no one warned us that not ever woman can breastfeed. My daughter is happy and healthy at 5 and no one should feel guilty for stopping at any time for any reason 🙂
For me I only got 3 weeks. She loved to breastfeed and I was just getting the hang of it but my milk never came in…I never leaked,couldn’t pump an ounce and my breasts actually got smaller not bigger. She was losing weight so quickly and we had to switch to formula. I felt guilty because no one warned us that not ever woman can breastfeed. My daughter is happy and healthy at 5 and no one should feel guilty for stopping at any time for any reason 🙂
Henry is nursing when he wakes up, after lunch, and before bed. Our plan is to cut out the midday feeding next week and then cut the morning one after that. I go back to work in three weeks and I’d like him to be down to just bedtime by then. I’m going to try going straight to whole milk since he’s almost a year.My oldest son weaned right around his first birthday – he just lost interest and we didn’t have any issues. I’m hoping it’s as easy this time around. I love having this quiet time with Henry and I know I’ll miss it, but it’ll also be nice to have a little more freedom!
Henry is nursing when he wakes up, after lunch, and before bed. Our plan is to cut out the midday feeding next week and then cut the morning one after that. I go back to work in three weeks and I’d like him to be down to just bedtime by then. I’m going to try going straight to whole milk since he’s almost a year.My oldest son weaned right around his first birthday – he just lost interest and we didn’t have any issues. I’m hoping it’s as easy this time around. I love having this quiet time with Henry and I know I’ll miss it, but it’ll also be nice to have a little more freedom!
Henry is nursing when he wakes up, after lunch, and before bed. Our plan is to cut out the midday feeding next week and then cut the morning one after that. I go back to work in three weeks and I’d like him to be down to just bedtime by then. I’m going to try going straight to whole milk since he’s almost a year.My oldest son weaned right around his first birthday – he just lost interest and we didn’t have any issues. I’m hoping it’s as easy this time around. I love having this quiet time with Henry and I know I’ll miss it, but it’ll also be nice to have a little more freedom!
Henry is nursing when he wakes up, after lunch, and before bed. Our plan is to cut out the midday feeding next week and then cut the morning one after that. I go back to work in three weeks and I’d like him to be down to just bedtime by then. I’m going to try going straight to whole milk since he’s almost a year.My oldest son weaned right around his first birthday – he just lost interest and we didn’t have any issues. I’m hoping it’s as easy this time around. I love having this quiet time with Henry and I know I’ll miss it, but it’ll also be nice to have a little more freedom!
Henry is nursing when he wakes up, after lunch, and before bed. Our plan is to cut out the midday feeding next week and then cut the morning one after that. I go back to work in three weeks and I’d like him to be down to just bedtime by then. I’m going to try going straight to whole milk since he’s almost a year.
My oldest son weaned right around his first birthday – he just lost interest and we didn’t have any issues. I’m hoping it’s as easy this time around. I love having this quiet time with Henry and I know I’ll miss it, but it’ll also be nice to have a little more freedom!
My first was a preemie and breastfeeding wasn’t in the cards for us. I exclusively pumped for 8 months.With my second last fall, I was excited to attempt it and she was a champion nurser. Unfortunately, she has some gut sensitivity to something I was eating, and I messed with my diet for 5 months to try and determine the cause – going dairy, soy, wheat, nut and egg free with no change to her symptoms. So even though she was a great eater and my supply wasn’t the problem, the pediatrician switched her to hypoallergenic formula and her issues resolved. It was sad to have to give it up but I remind myself it’s what she needed. Still so hard!
My first was a preemie and breastfeeding wasn’t in the cards for us. I exclusively pumped for 8 months.With my second last fall, I was excited to attempt it and she was a champion nurser. Unfortunately, she has some gut sensitivity to something I was eating, and I messed with my diet for 5 months to try and determine the cause – going dairy, soy, wheat, nut and egg free with no change to her symptoms. So even though she was a great eater and my supply wasn’t the problem, the pediatrician switched her to hypoallergenic formula and her issues resolved. It was sad to have to give it up but I remind myself it’s what she needed. Still so hard!
My first was a preemie and breastfeeding wasn’t in the cards for us. I exclusively pumped for 8 months.With my second last fall, I was excited to attempt it and she was a champion nurser. Unfortunately, she has some gut sensitivity to something I was eating, and I messed with my diet for 5 months to try and determine the cause – going dairy, soy, wheat, nut and egg free with no change to her symptoms. So even though she was a great eater and my supply wasn’t the problem, the pediatrician switched her to hypoallergenic formula and her issues resolved. It was sad to have to give it up but I remind myself it’s what she needed. Still so hard!
My first was a preemie and breastfeeding wasn’t in the cards for us. I exclusively pumped for 8 months.With my second last fall, I was excited to attempt it and she was a champion nurser. Unfortunately, she has some gut sensitivity to something I was eating, and I messed with my diet for 5 months to try and determine the cause – going dairy, soy, wheat, nut and egg free with no change to her symptoms. So even though she was a great eater and my supply wasn’t the problem, the pediatrician switched her to hypoallergenic formula and her issues resolved. It was sad to have to give it up but I remind myself it’s what she needed. Still so hard!
My first was a preemie and breastfeeding wasn’t in the cards for us. I exclusively pumped for 8 months.
With my second last fall, I was excited to attempt it and she was a champion nurser. Unfortunately, she has some gut sensitivity to something I was eating, and I messed with my diet for 5 months to try and determine the cause – going dairy, soy, wheat, nut and egg free with no change to her symptoms. So even though she was a great eater and my supply wasn’t the problem, the pediatrician switched her to hypoallergenic formula and her issues resolved. It was sad to have to give it up but I remind myself it’s what she needed. Still so hard!
With my first we did a slow weaning, mostly because I was ready to be finished, and we made it to 15 months.With my second, I tried a slow wean, but she was sick off and on for two months so that interrupted the slow wean. We did cold turkey at 18 months because I was done and was hating nursing. At this point she was nursing in the morning, when I got home from work, bedtime, and the middle of the night. It was mostly for comfort. She went and spent a week with my parents for booby detox. I was so uncomfortable for the entire week, for four days it felt like when my milk came in for the first time.I feel so lucky that I was able to exclusively nurse them for as long as I did. I completely realize not everyone can do that.
With my first we did a slow weaning, mostly because I was ready to be finished, and we made it to 15 months.With my second, I tried a slow wean, but she was sick off and on for two months so that interrupted the slow wean. We did cold turkey at 18 months because I was done and was hating nursing. At this point she was nursing in the morning, when I got home from work, bedtime, and the middle of the night. It was mostly for comfort. She went and spent a week with my parents for booby detox. I was so uncomfortable for the entire week, for four days it felt like when my milk came in for the first time.I feel so lucky that I was able to exclusively nurse them for as long as I did. I completely realize not everyone can do that.
With my first we did a slow weaning, mostly because I was ready to be finished, and we made it to 15 months.With my second, I tried a slow wean, but she was sick off and on for two months so that interrupted the slow wean. We did cold turkey at 18 months because I was done and was hating nursing. At this point she was nursing in the morning, when I got home from work, bedtime, and the middle of the night. It was mostly for comfort. She went and spent a week with my parents for booby detox. I was so uncomfortable for the entire week, for four days it felt like when my milk came in for the first time.I feel so lucky that I was able to exclusively nurse them for as long as I did. I completely realize not everyone can do that.
With my first we did a slow weaning, mostly because I was ready to be finished, and we made it to 15 months.With my second, I tried a slow wean, but she was sick off and on for two months so that interrupted the slow wean. We did cold turkey at 18 months because I was done and was hating nursing. At this point she was nursing in the morning, when I got home from work, bedtime, and the middle of the night. It was mostly for comfort. She went and spent a week with my parents for booby detox. I was so uncomfortable for the entire week, for four days it felt like when my milk came in for the first time.I feel so lucky that I was able to exclusively nurse them for as long as I did. I completely realize not everyone can do that.
With my first we did a slow weaning, mostly because I was ready to be finished, and we made it to 15 months.
With my second, I tried a slow wean, but she was sick off and on for two months so that interrupted the slow wean. We did cold turkey at 18 months because I was done and was hating nursing. At this point she was nursing in the morning, when I got home from work, bedtime, and the middle of the night. It was mostly for comfort. She went and spent a week with my parents for booby detox. I was so uncomfortable for the entire week, for four days it felt like when my milk came in for the first time.
I feel so lucky that I was able to exclusively nurse them for as long as I did. I completely realize not everyone can do that.