I think I have to wean

[rbp]

M (11mo) hasn't nursed since yesterday morning. My supply had been dwindling for awhile, but I think that our baby-free trip last weekend may have been the nail in the coffin. I took my electric pump and pumped a few times a day. I never got more than about an ounce total. I had been having trouble pumping much lately, which was ok because we had been sending at least some formula to DC for several months now. And M had seemed satisfied when he did nurse. But when all I did was pump and not nurse for three days, I guess that signaled my body to stop making much milk at all. M nursed a few times after we got home, but both last night and this morning he would not latch. Instead, he bit my nipple, held on until I pulled him off (OW!), then laughed at me. I don't mind being bitten occasionally (I didn't think he was previously doing it on purpose), but when he won't latch at all it seems pointless. I didn't push the issue last night because we had just finished a big dinner, but I knew he was hungry this morning, so I made him a formula bottle which he promptly threw back.

I know it's fine; 11 months of BF is nothing to sneeze at and we're going to switch him to WCM before long anyway. But this is not how I pictured our nursing relationship ending. I'm kind of pissed at H for making me go on this trip. (I know--cry me a river that my H made me go to Bermuda. LOL FWP)

[Ashley&Scott]

I'm sorry it's not ending the way you imagined. You've done a great job, hugs!

[karinothing]

Well, you did an amazing job! I am sorry it isn't ending on a better note. I think if you wanted you could just do WCM already and no formula (if You don't want to spend the extra $$ on formula).

[Deleted]

At 11 months, I'd just go to WCM. I feel you on things not ending as planned; I didn't intend to wean DD when I went away for a weekend. But it happened, and it was relatively easy, so I'll be glad it wasn't as big a deal as it was with DS.

Congrats on 11 months! Do something to celebrate your breastfeeding success.

[countthestars]

I'm sorry. My nursing relationship ended similarly (she was biting and my supply was dwindling so I offered more formula than I should have and I completely dried up very quickly). It took a while for me to be okay with it and it's okay that you're feeling sad. You've done a great job!!

[Deleted]

You did great!

[rbp]

Thanks ladies. I'll get some WCM when I'm out next. I guess there's nothing particularly magical about 12 months exactly, and we'll have to transition him at some point anyway. I'm not super concerned about the cost of formula because he drinks the Target stuff and I don't think we'll do it for much longer anyway. He eats a ton of food, so even if he's not nursing at all he'll probably only be drinking ~20 oz/day (does that sound right?).

[bugandbibs]

Aww, (hugs).

BFing is emotional and you have the right to feel however you want about it ending. If you really don't want it to end I would keep offering for a few days. DD2 went in several nursing strikes and didn't wean until her 4th birthday (I know!) and I cut her off. Maybe you can get one last good session in to have a more positive ending?

[Deleted]

My kids have never been super into drinking anything, so 20 oz sounds like plenty to me.

[t]

Good job rbp! 11 months is great. DD1 bit me during our final nursing session. It was hard to end on that note but I felt so free after I got over it.

[greycat]

((Hugs)). I found BFing to be very emotional and was sad when I weaned DS (it was my choice).

[Deleted]

Congrats on a great job and I'm sorry it's ending so abruptly.