Time to stop?

[FreddieEden]

Hello ladies,

I haven't posted on here for a while but I was hoping you might be able to give me some advice.  My little man is 14 months old and has always been a very enthusiastic breastfeeder.  He has been on two feeds a day since I went back to work in July (not interested in taking milk from any other source) and has always been fine with that.  He is currently teething (three molars through and one to go) and has a cold.  In the last week he has started biting me and feeding for shorter and shorter periods and for the last three feeds has taken hardly anything and really cried when I tried to put him to the breast.

I don't know if this is time to call it a day.  On one level I am quite keen to stop because I have had open cuts in my nipples for the last four months or so since his top teeth really started rubbing.  And I have been thinking for a while that we needed to stop sometime.  I don't know anyone else who is still breastfeeding and I always thought I would be a strict six months and you're done breastfeeder!

But I'm a lot more upset about the prospect of the end than I thought I would be.  I will miss our special cuddles and I don't want him to stop before he is ready just because he is teething and has a cold.  But I am dreading the prospect of the biting every time I try to feed him.  Also, I do want him to drink milk and, although he is offered cow's milk in a sippy cup every day at daycare he always takes a sip and then looks disgusted.

If I do try to carry on, do I need to pump to keep my supply up whilst he is not feeding?  I am feeling pretty uncomfortable and could do with some relief anyway...

Thanks very much
Freddie

[binxyboo]

Congrats on making it so far!!!!!My lo self-weaned at that age too. I wasn't ready but it was the weaning I hoped for as he was ready, no tears or frustrations on his part. You could just to the time-honored "don't offer don't refuse" for a while and see if he wants to continue on or not. Keep us posted and well done again!

[jbepko]

I recently weaned and it can be very emotional. I think you really need to believe in your decision or follow your LO's lead; if your heart's not in it, you might regret it later. Its a rough time for your LO with teething and a cold and would lean towards pumping during this time- he may just be on a milk strike and want to return to nursing in a few days. There are alot of benefits to extended nursing. I miss our cuddles and nursings, but I was more sure of my decision weaning DS than DD and am happier with my decision this time around.