I recently sailed past the 19 month mark of breastfeeding Declan, and did so with a sigh. I’m grateful for being able to nurse for so long, but the truth is that I’m ready to be done anytime now. I started out with a 6 month goal, which turned to 1 year once I exceeded my initial length. At the one year mark, I assumed (especially being pregnant twice) that Declan would just self-wean…and soon. Not the case, pregnancy hormones didn’t put him off…at all. And while it was painful, it was nothing compared to the pain of clogged ducts, so I nursed through it. Now? I long for the day that I can reclaim my breasts. Completely tongue-in-cheek, here are some signs that you may be ready to stop breastfeeding:
- Like an automaton, you proffer your breast when you hear the words milk, milkies, boob, boobie, etc. [or any utterance that sounds remotely similar].
- You gaze longingly at your regular bras, tucked into the far reaches of your lingerie drawer, and haven’t the slightest recollection of the last time you wore one.
- Why buy the milk when you get mama’s milk for free is no longer a humorous saying. In fact, you’re thinking about charging at this point.
- You’re ready to disassociate yourself from the Got Milk? campaign.
- You’re seriously questioning having another baby any time in the near future [because the thought of another nursling makes you cringe].
- You no longer think the I’m a Boob Man onesie is cute. At all.
- You’re ready to wear something other than tank tops and cardigans [because, you know, you stopped wearing nursing clothing LONG ago].
- Nursing in public? Pfft! No biggie [almost everyone’s glimpsed my breasts at this point].
- Your little one can now ask to nurse…using a complete sentence.
- Even your grungiest regular bra looks appealing.
While I’m hoping that I won’t still be nursing when the next Big Latch On event takes place in August, I do hope you consider taking part in this event to promote breastfeeding awareness — you can find information pertaining to getting involved with your local event HERE. Unable to support in-person? The Big Latch On is currently running an Indiegogo campaign to raise necessary funding.
Great list of signs you’re ready. My first 2 babies each quit nursing around 16 months. My current ‘baby’ will be 2 in 2 weeks and still nurses several times a day! I thought she would self wean too and I definitely was not planning to nurse past 2 but…
Thanks! Yup – our kiddos have other plans, don’t they? Great job with your breastfeeding journeys, mama!
My daughter is 3 1/2 and any suggestion that she nurse less than 3 times a day leaves her distraught. So she can ask for it with complete sentences AND back it up with reasons (not that they make sense to adults, but they totally do to her; her favorite is, “Because it’s not a good idea [to wait/skip it]”). I think her baby brother will self wean before she does.
Hi Ladies. My daughter is 2 1/2 and she does not want to give up the night feed at all, only has day feed if she is not well or unsettled. I am going to have a hysterectomy next week and have been told i have to give up bf. I don’t know if i’m more distraught or if she is. How do i stop????? Please help, she doesn’t seem old enough to understand. PLEASE ANY SUGGESTIONS, i’m running out of time. Will be hospital for 3 to 4 days. Thank you.
My son stopped on his own, so I’m putting your question up on the wall, mama — don’t fret! Here is the link to the post with your question: https://www.facebook.com/TheMedianMommy/posts/735348343175228