Thank you all so much...

[loub]

...I could not have made it to 6 months  without the support on this website. Sadly despite all my efforts it is winding down and I am only feeding her a couple of times a day now (and even this is a struggle)    In the beginning when it was so tough I never thought i'd make it to my original 13 week goal so I should be feeling proud instead of disappointed. I suppose I alway thought it would be my choice to stop, not hers. Without being overdramatic, I feel quite a big sense of loss and detachment, I hadn't realised what an emotional thing Bf was..and also realise how much I've loved it even when it's been challenging. I hope to BF number 2 for much much longer and without the mistakes I made this time. Thank you all again so much xx

[Mum of 3 + 2 stepkids]

arh loub thats great the you made it to 6mths (more than a lot ) you really have done well so don't feel disappointed that in itself is a real achievement YAY for you

Any Woman that has struggled with bfing (me to) and still made it for as long as you have is wonderful, as you have given the best start to you lo's life so don't be disappointed with yourself.

And like you say you have already climbed hurdles so next time you will be prepared.

Are you pg then?

well done again
Kate xxxxx

[Jocasta]

Well done you!!!!!  Don't beat yourself up honey!

Have you tried an SNS?  This could be worth investigating further if you're really not ready to stop...

But, you have done so good though so hugs to you!

[loub]

Thank you for those lovely replies x I am going to try to continue the first thing in the morning feed, it was great this morning, even if she did keep stopping to chat  I'd like to do that feed for as long as she wants it. I'm also offering the boob whenever she looks like she might want it, the difference being now that I'm not putting pressure on myself or getting upset if she refuses. She takes me up on the offer occasionally and it's lovely  No I'm not pregnant but am hoping I will be soon. With the bf being greatly reduced I can feel things starting to happen again (cramps) so hopefully we'll be ready for action soon    I don't know about that technique CassieMum but I will look into it.  To be honest I don;t think I'd ever be truly ready to stop, I have to say that despite the worrying etc BF Lily has been the most special thing I've ever done  Let's hope she continues to want me a bit, even if it's only once a day. I'm not sure how it works but I'm hoping 1/2 feeds a day is better than nothing...

p.s. I don't know if people talk about this but the hormone rush is amazing!! V powerful, much more so than when I exercise or do anything else. Isn't nature great   

[Jocasta]

The SNS is a supplemental nursing system - you can google it for a better description and places to buy etc.  Basically it's a tube that you insert into the corner of lo's mouth when your breasts are empty.  The tube goes into a container of formula or EBM.  It's a way of supplementing at the breast which obviously doesn't have the negative repercussions of bottle confusion/breastflow frustration etc. (this is pretty much what ended my nursing relationship with DD1 ).  It also has the added bonus of stimulating your supply.

Gradually you'll notice your own supply increasing and the amount you're supplementing by reducing.  It's fantastic and it's a real shame that it's not advertised more freely - I guess the formula companies would probably make less money if they were more readily available though...  I'll stop there

[loub]

That SNS sounds fantastic, I will look into buying 1, if not for DD but for baby 2 for if I ever have to supplement. Lily has always been quite good at accepting bottle and booby as she had bottle from early on (HV said I had to give a small amount of formula  at the start..) but I would not want to take the risk. I agree re formula companies, it makes me so angry. I really wish they would ban the advertising etc.. now I'm off on 1 

[Jocasta]

HV said I had to give a small amount of formula  at the start..

Just more evidence to back up my theory that the vast majority of HVs should be shot!

[Mum of 3 + 2 stepkids]

Shot thats a bit harsh Jo lol ROFL

Great that you can still give that morning feed.....................So its not over