Help me feel less guilty about stopping nursing

[Anonymous]

I absolutely would not stop. Certainly not if the only reason is the hope that you’ll lose a few troublesome pounds.

You are your baby are both still enjoying it and combo feeding is the best of both worlds.

[Anonymous]

OP, I could have written this post. We stopped after 8 weeks because my supply was just ridiculously low. I felt bad/sad for a week or two, but now feel no regret. My DS got the benefit of antibodies, etc, during those initial weeks and now feeding doesn’t take an hour or more each time. And my DH can feed him just as well as me, which is great for all three of us.

Physically, I think weaning did help me start losing weight (but I’m almost 6 months postpartum and still have a few lbs to lose, so I agree that it isn’t automatic). I also had major issues leaking urine, and I believe that stopping nursing — along with pelvic floor PT — helped tremendously.

You have done and are doing great for your baby!

[Anonymous]

No one can make you feel more or less anything, OP. Do what you want.

[Anonymous]

I am starting to wean now at 7.5 months because my supply has lowered and I hate pumping. It is sooner than I would like (I nursed for close to a year with my first) so I feel a tiny bit guilty, but it’s fine. Fed is best.

[Anonymous]

I would not stop, because of the weight doesn’t fall off (And as others have said that’s highly idiosyncratic) you’ve stopped doing something you and your baby enjoy which has benefits for both of you and you don’t have the outcome you were seeking anyway.

[Anonymous]

I’ll bite. There’s no way to tell later in life if someone was breastfed or formula fed. There is likely very little benefit to breastfeeding with the exception of some temporary benefits that are debatable.

I personally would much rather be thin and at my goal weight than engaging in something without any material benefit.

[Anonymous]

If the only reason you’re quitting is to lose these pounds magically, I would not quit. Have you actually tried to lose the weight? As in began eating less and moving more? I would start there.

[Anonymous]

I quit breastfeeding because the weight wouldn’t come off. I also disliked it and didn’t enjoy being chained to the baby while my husband got to come and go as he pleased. I missed feeling like a normal person with bodily autonomy.

Once I quit the weight dropped off rapidly. I felt like myself again without those hormones. I stopped resenting my baby. I could watch TV at night while my husband fed the baby a bottle and I didn’t have someone touching my boobs. I could leave the house without pumping or taking a pump with me. I could take my older child somewhere alone because my husband could feed the baby on his own. I didn’t have to wear nursing bras or remove my shirt 15 plus times a day to nurse. I didn’t have leaking milk. I didn’t have to worry about what I ate, drank or medications.

One of my bigger regrets in life is breastfeeding and succumbing to the pressure. I disliked breastfeeding so much that I have a serious aversion to lactation consultants and feel breastfeeding is a conspiracy against women. My hunch is that breastfeeding is pushed because it relieves men of the primary role in taking care of a newborn and starts women down the path of being the default parent. It even is advertised as “free” as if a woman’s time is worth nothing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If the only reason you’re quitting is to lose these pounds magically, I would not quit. Have you actually tried to lose the weight? As in began eating less and moving more? I would start there.

Please. For many women, breastfeeding prevents them from losing weight. It’s hormonal. Go on any parenting board / Reddit and you’ll find countless stories of women who lost weight once they weaned.

I lost 10 pounds in 2 weeks when I weaned. No changes at all to eating habits. Breastfeeding keeps the weight on for me. I’m naturally thin and it’s likely fat to support milk production.

While I was breastfeeding I could have eaten very very little and ran 10 miles a day and wouldn’t have lost a single pound. The lack of weight loss was comical. I stopped breastfeeding and overnight started to lose the weight.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I quit breastfeeding because the weight wouldn’t come off. I also disliked it and didn’t enjoy being chained to the baby while my husband got to come and go as he pleased. I missed feeling like a normal person with bodily autonomy.

Once I quit the weight dropped off rapidly. I felt like myself again without those hormones. I stopped resenting my baby. I could watch TV at night while my husband fed the baby a bottle and I didn’t have someone touching my boobs. I could leave the house without pumping or taking a pump with me. I could take my older child somewhere alone because my husband could feed the baby on his own. I didn’t have to wear nursing bras or remove my shirt 15 plus times a day to nurse. I didn’t have leaking milk. I didn’t have to worry about what I ate, drank or medications.

One of my bigger regrets in life is breastfeeding and succumbing to the pressure. I disliked breastfeeding so much that I have a serious aversion to lactation consultants and feel breastfeeding is a conspiracy against women. My hunch is that breastfeeding is pushed because it relieves men of the primary role in taking care of a newborn and starts women down the path of being the default parent. It even is advertised as “free” as if a woman’s time is worth nothing.

Have you been screened for PPD? Some of your statements are concerning.

[Anonymous]

Once your child is past the age of 5, you will (probably) never think again about how you fed your baby.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I quit breastfeeding because the weight wouldn’t come off. I also disliked it and didn’t enjoy being chained to the baby while my husband got to come and go as he pleased. I missed feeling like a normal person with bodily autonomy.

Once I quit the weight dropped off rapidly. I felt like myself again without those hormones. I stopped resenting my baby. I could watch TV at night while my husband fed the baby a bottle and I didn’t have someone touching my boobs. I could leave the house without pumping or taking a pump with me. I could take my older child somewhere alone because my husband could feed the baby on his own. I didn’t have to wear nursing bras or remove my shirt 15 plus times a day to nurse. I didn’t have leaking milk. I didn’t have to worry about what I ate, drank or medications.

One of my bigger regrets in life is breastfeeding and succumbing to the pressure. I disliked breastfeeding so much that I have a serious aversion to lactation consultants and feel breastfeeding is a conspiracy against women. My hunch is that breastfeeding is pushed because it relieves men of the primary role in taking care of a newborn and starts women down the path of being the default parent. It even is advertised as “free” as if a woman’s time is worth nothing.

Honestly, I agree with a lot of this. Some of the last paragraph is a bit strong but I’ve nursed two kids, and if we have a third, I’m going right to formula. The cost benefit breakdown of breastfeeding has not been accurately presented to women. For a lot of women (most?) it’s not worth it.

[Anonymous]

I struggled with low supply as well and weaned my DC1 at 6 months. DC2 was better and I didn’t wean until 13 months.
DC1 rarely gets sick and DC2 gets every cold. Just my experience and I’m sure there are other factors at play but do what’s best for you. I was much happier after weaning both, as I found breastfeeding very difficult.

[Anonymous]

I never breastfed. My kids are happy, healthy, smart and very attached. Do what you want to do and feel no guilt about it.

[Anonymous]

I had high supply at first but my kid was SLOW at nursing so night feeds would take me over an hour. I switched to just formula at 7 weeks. No guilt. She is ahead on milestones and just fine