When it’s over …
How do you know when you should stop breastfeeding?
When do the health benefits of breastfeeding stop?
What is a good age to wean your baby?
I have been going Google crazy, people. Those are just a few of the search topics I’ve been pounding out in the last few weeks.
You see, I have learned a lot about breastfeeding in these nearly-ten months.
Mainly that breastfeeding becomes a HUGE part of your life.
Not in a bad way, but just in an all-consuming way.
It’s obsessive.
In the beginning, you go crazy over trying to do it right, get the proper latch, get over the initial pain, adjust to the nonstop feedings — all while feeling so tired that you just can’t stop sobbing.
Once you’ve gotten the hang of it, it’s an easy, regular part of your day … but it still defines your day. You get used to feeling always on-call. You get used to the invisible tether that ties your knockers to your baby. It doesn’t hurt anymore, and it becomes so casual that you can play Wii while breastfeeding … uh, for example.
As long as you are breastfeeding, when you go out (with or without your baby), your boobs must be considered — either pumped first, or properly dressed for easy-access. You must always be thinking about the boobs! Almost ten months later, I’m still always thinking about the boobs! (And admiring them, too, if I’m being totally honest.)
Here is the thing: I don’t know when to stop breastfeeding.
I have Googled.
I have discussed.
I have had soul-searching innner dialogues!
I just can’t decide!
Here are the basic facts (and some random background info):
- You are “supposed to” breastfeed for six months, and it is “recommended” to breastfeed until 12 months
- Baby Boy is almost 10 months old. He eats plenty of solids. He crawls and walks. He is not losing interest in nursing AT ALL, the way babies supposedly do at this age. He has not slept more than three hours at a stretch, um, like ever.
- Don’t let the cloth-diapering, and baby-food-making fool you. I am not a hippie — I don’t even recycle. But I was surprised by how much I enjoyed breastfeeding.
- Just like I was about disposable diapers, I am super, super stubborn about this, and no one thinks I will/can/should continue breastfeeding — so, of course, that makes me want to continue!
- Darling Husband does not want me to breastfeed past 12 months (I don’t, either), but babies need either breast milk or formula until at least 12 months, so going straight to cows’ milk now is not an option
I am caught between wanting to give my baby the very best and do what’s medically “right” (and I use that term very loosely), wanting to respect my husband’s opinion, wanting my own body back (not to mention my fertility), and wanting to stick to my stubborn “He’s-never-had-formula-EVER” thing.
The way I see it, I have three options:
- Continue exclusive breastfeeding until 12 months.
- Pros: Pride that I breastfed for the full year, as recommended — and got my “golden boobies.” Petty, stubborn pride that Baby Boy never had to have any formula.
- Cons: Continue to be a zombie who never gets more than two or three hours’ sleep at a time. Continue to feel a self-conscious when nursing in public because he’s so big and active.
- Begin gradual weaning to formula by 12 months.
- Pros: By giving some formula at bedtime, he might sleep longer — even if he doesn’t, I will feel more confident letting him cry a bit because I will know his tummy is more “full.” Can possibly hang onto breastfeeding (even 1-2 times a day) until the 12-month mark.
- Cons: Don’t get to say that he never had formula. Possibility that giving him formula weans him before the 12-month mark, and I don’t achieve golden boobies.
- Wean to strictly formula now.
- Pros: Have my body back very soon. Be proud that I breastfed for 10-ish months.
- Cons: No golden boobies. May regret that I didn’t stick it out for these two more months. Formula might be less convenient (more work!) than breastfeeding. May chunk up because breastfeeding won’t be burning calories anymore.
So, of course, the logical solution is to get MORE opinions! …
What should I do?Market Research
One Comment on “When it’s over …”
So what do you think?
As featured on …
Heather's Handmade Life 
You are correct that this is your decision. I will share that I nursed my son until he was 3. I never planned that when I started – it was just always so important to him, which made it important to me. But, what the experts say is that you should breastfeed so long as you and the baby are comfortable/ happy with it. So if you are thinking heavily about weaning… well, then maybe now is the time, for you, to start in that direction. Also, at 10 months you are still way above average in terms of how long many women nurse their babies. Good luck deciding.
LikeLike