Help me feel less guilty about stopping nursing

[Anonymous]

Baby will be healthier if you bf.

[Anonymous]

I have two boys. The first, I pumped exclusively + supplemented with formula for a few weeks bc breast feeding wasn't working. Gave up on pumping around 12 weeks, by which point I was barely getting anything. It was terrible and I'd never recommend it. Pumping is a PITA. The second, I breastfed for about a year. It was easy and was, in many ways, easier than bottle feeding (no mixing formula in the middle of night, less bottles to wash, etc.). Both are happy and healthy.

Also, I was really hoping the weight would budge once I quit breastfeeding because I had about 30 lbs to lose both times... sadly, it did not fall off as I hoped it would Breastfeeding had zero impact on my weight -- didn't help me lose, and apparently it wasn't keeping the weight on.

Do whatever allows you to be a happy, present mom. I shudder thinking back on those days attached to a breast pump while my baby was crying.

[Anonymous]

This is OP. I decided to keep going in the morning and at night with feeds before a bottle but not try to pump. I started working again and it would take a lot out of my day to pump/clean pump, etc just to get 0.5 oz each time. I have limited childcare and this is not my first baby so I have to take care of two kids when not working (I was not able to nurse my first beyond the first month due to an even lower supply-basically drops- and then I went on a questionable antibiotic so it was an easy choice). Anyway, I think we baby is deciding for me because there is some frustration when looking for milk and not getting much. The bottle is clearly offering it a preferable pace/amount. I think it’s fine. I did my best for 3 months and baby seems just as attached to me as when I did it more.

[Anonymous]

And thank you for all the replies!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is OP. I decided to keep going in the morning and at night with feeds before a bottle but not try to pump. I started working again and it would take a lot out of my day to pump/clean pump, etc just to get 0.5 oz each time. I have limited childcare and this is not my first baby so I have to take care of two kids when not working (I was not able to nurse my first beyond the first month due to an even lower supply-basically drops- and then I went on a questionable antibiotic so it was an easy choice). Anyway, I think we baby is deciding for me because there is some frustration when looking for milk and not getting much. The bottle is clearly offering it a preferable pace/amount. I think it’s fine. I did my best for 3 months and baby seems just as attached to me as when I did it more.

The benefits are less about attachment and more about immunity so I’m glad you’re sticking it out.