When did YOU stop breastfeeding?

Question

Guys...don't be cute here...lol

When did you stop breastfeeding?
What did you use to supplement instead of milk?
If you used formula, what kind/brand?

Really, I'm clueless. I've been breastfeeding for 4 and a half months now. I know this is much more convenient than formula feeding, but ya know, I can't wait to get my body back all to myself!! ( Yes, I know the benefits for my baby girl and me, and she's very healthy.)

Thank you.

Answer 1

Both of my kids were 2 when they stopped. FYI, I pumped after the first 9 months or so. I wanted my body back, too! LOL!

Answer 2

We started supplimenting at five days, as she continued to lose weight. We use Target brand with Lipil (it's exactly the same as Enfamil w/Lipil - just read the nutritional info), or the free samples of Enfamil I get at the OB/GYNs. She stopped completely breast-feeding (as in, on the breast) at about two months, but I pump 6-8 times a day, and give her whatever I get from that (roughly 10-14 oz per day-better than nothing, I suppose). She will be six months old on the first of January. I'm planning to continue pumping through flu season, as she won't be getting the flu shot due to serious side effects/illnesses it has caused in my family (not the norm, I know). So, probably by the time she hits 9 mos, I'll begin to stop pumping.
Knock on wood, she has yet to have an illness of any sort, and spends her days with two school-aged girls I take care of (who have had some colds/strep/etc. She hasn't caught anything yet.
Quit when you want to. Yes, the benefits continue while you breastfeed, but MOST of the more important ones are conferred within the first 4-6 months of life. If you want your body back, that's fine. You've already done it for 4 1/2 months, which is more than most people do. Kudos to you. If it's time to move on to a different form of feeding, then do it. There are more important things for a baby than being breastfed, to include a happy mother who doesn't begin to resent feeding time. A bottle can be given with just as much love as a breast can. Don't let the Nipple Nazis make you feel guilty. :-) Do what's right for the both of you.
Good luck -
(Oh, one quick thing, unless they've changed the formula in the past few months, Similac does NOT have the same ingredients as most of the other brands (including the store brands), so, I'd stay away from Similac unless you have to use it for some reason).

Answer 3

My first child self-weaned two weeks before her 2nd birthday, and I am currently nursing my second child who is 21 months old. I would recommend trying to hang in there for a little longer. You are in the most demanding time right now, and as she gets older, she will go longer and longer between feedings and it won't feel so overwhelming. I totally understand the feeling of wanting my body back to myself, and I had to "force" myself to get to 6 months breastfeeding my first child, but after that it just seemed to get so much easier. I never in a million years would have thought that I'd nurse over a year. The physical demands of infants are so intense that sometimes it seems like they will never end. But what you will find out quickly, is that this infant/breastfeeding time will end all too soon. See if you can talk yourself into waiting until she is 7 months, and then re-evaluate.

And don't forget how expensive formula is!

Answer 4

I stopped breast feeding my son at seven months. Would have gone to a year if I could. I wouldnt rush out of breastfeeding because of wanting your body back if your looks are what you are concerned about. Breastfeeding is the best post-baby diet you can be on. 500 calories a day!!! You will lose weight more quickly doing that than if you stopped BF and went to exercising. And the older the child gets and more she drinks, the more you will lose! I only stopped because I just dried up once I broke him of nursing at night. When it comes to formula there is not that much difference from brand to brand. It all depends on what you think. If she doesnt take well to it, call the doctor and he will tell you which to use. Probably one with comfort proteins or soy. There is a large variety of formulas for babies who have a hard time keeping formula down.

Answer 5

I started drying up when my son was about 6 to 7 months old. I was still producing just enough that I could get engorged, but not enough to fill him up at every feeding. I had been pumping at night after he went to sleep and I continued that for as long as I could. I was able to save up quite a bit and froze it. He was pretty much on formula at 8 months with some breast milk each day. With the frozen milk, I was able to give him some each day until he was about 9 or 10 months old. It also helped me because when I quite being able to fill the bottles, I just stopped and there was so little left, that I never had any pain waiting for the milk to dry up. As for the formula, I used Carnation Good Start (with the "comfort proteins" I think) and there was one other that I can't recall right now. Once we got him on it and found that he could tolerate it, we tried to stick to the same thing so it wouldn't hurt his tummy. And don't worry.. I think nearly every woman feels those feelings... It is alien to have a little thing clawing at you all the time and it begins to feel like all you do is feed feed feed. Not to mention it can make you very sleepy! It should only be a few months now and she'll be ready to start on baby foods so that will ease some of it. He tummy will be getting full from another source. Best wishes!

Answer 6

I was very fortunate to be able to stay home with my children while they were young. It was the hardest thing to do (financially) but worth every minute.

my son breastfed until about 10 months or so. I gave him formula for a little but in the last months switched to milk.

my second was a daughter, and she pulled away at about 6 months. I'm still not sure why, but we gave her formula and I can't remember what kind for awhile and I pumped too.

my third was a daughter and she stayed on the longest. I think she was about 2 when we stopped. By then she was only nursing for a little bit before bed time.

I don't remember the brands of formula we used, enfelac comes to mind. Probably whatever was cheapest.

My kids are all healthy happy teens now.

Answer 7

My first two were weaned at 10 and 12 months and we supplemented with Good Start. My third refused bottles and was weaned at about 15 months. At that point he went straight to milk. Now I have baby #4 who refuses bottles and is still nursing at 9 months.

Good luck!

Answer 8

I felt the same way! I stopped at 6 months. I felt like after that he had a good start on his immune system. I used an expensive formula recommended by my doc until I got smart and read the labels and started buying Parents Choice at Wal-Mart and sometimes (after checking the label and comparing) I used a grocery store brand. I started using 7 oz breast to 1 oz formula for about 3-4 days and then increased an ounce every 3-4 days until he was getting 8 oz. formula. He loved the bottles. He hit a growth spurt right after I started mixing and he loved it once I got the 2nd stage nipples. I used Playtex Ventaire and had no problems at all. Make sure you sit her up to eat or you can have problems with ear infections. If you need support or more advice, feel free to e-mail me.

Answer 9

I stopped after just a month, I know it's kind of pathetic, but I was in the military, working over 12 hours a day, it was just hard. I used Enfamil formula. And my daughter is 14 months now, she's very healthy, she's only had one little cold since she was born.

Answer 10

My daughter is 7 1/2 months and I am still breastfeeding. I am going to try to breastfeed unitll she is a year. But I know how you feel there are days that I just want to be a mom not a food sourse. but then I realize that it's whats best for my daughter.plus it's free. but whats best for you and your daughter might not be what is best for some one else. What matter is what makes you both happy.

Answer 11

With my first I stopped at 9 months. I stopped because she would nurse all night long, and i couldn't sleep. I just had my second and I stopped at 2 months. He didn't enjoy breastfeeding as much as my daughter. He doesn't even like his bottle that much. It is up to you. If you want to stop do it. If you like breast feeding don't stop. I likked breast feeding but I also love not having leeky boobs all the time. don't let others make you feel bad for stopping. Formula is made to feed your baby. It won't hurt them, good luck with mommyhood!!!