Weaning is a different kind of battle
My very last pump was June 19th. I dont know if I’ll have to pump again but. I think it was… it.
I made the decision to switch for my own mental health and wanting to feel like ME again. I started slowly decreasing my pump times until I could drop them one by one. The last time I pumped before yesterday was the 2nd. I made it 7 months, over 8,000 oz, close to 840 hours. My last pump was 2oz.
I’m such a goal oriented person.. and for that, The guilt I have for not making it to a year is so hard. I got the weaning flu no matter how slow I went with weaning. The hot flashes and irritation were crash out level high. I tried everything to simply decrease my supply at first, hoping to maintain while continuing to pump. But it just…. Felt so freeing to not be so stuck to a schedule.
“Why didn’t you nurse” people ask…
I spent 4 months trying, over and over again to get my daughter to latch and she wouldn’t. I tried and it just wasn’t an option anymore. She’d scream endlessly, then I’d get overwhelmed and upset. Just eventually giving her a bottle 15 minutes later. I felt more like I was failing my daughter when I attempted to nurse. #pumpingjourney #endofachapter #newbeginnings
After the first 5 months I decided to start the weaning process. It took 2 months to fully stop because of my supply and I figured it would. That’s why I started at 5 months. Everyone has their own opinions. “You should’ve just stuck it out”
“You only have a few more months”
I needed to prioritize my mental health, for myself. For my kids, for my relationship. For my job. She’s still Fed, she’s happy and healthy and perfect. That’s what matters.
If you’re a mom beating yourself up at the thought of weaning but want to make the change. Just know, you did your best, you did not fail, you gave up your body, your life, your mentality. To give literally everything left in you to your baby. You spent endless nights crying, endless hours in pain, endless days researching and gaining knowledge. You gave everything to your baby, and it’s okay to take a step back and give to yourself to. Your baby needs a happy momma, a present momma, a momma that can be happy and loving and carefree and spend all the time in the world loving them and cuddling them and teaching them. If your baby is fed… You’re doing perfect. It doesn’t matter how they get it, as long as they’re fed.
Give yourself rest, be gracious on yourself. And get YOU back.
Weaning is a deeply personal process that affects both mother and baby. Many mothers experience guilt associated with not nursing for the full year, but it's essential to remember that mental health takes precedence. Every mother knows her own situation best—some may struggle with latching, while others transition from breastfeeding to formula or pumped milk. It's crucial to validate the emotional roller coaster that comes with this phase. Finding reliable support from communities online can ease feelings of isolation. Many moms successfully navigate the weaning process by sharing their challenges and tips. Remember that every drop of milk given is an act of love. Focus on the joy and connection with your baby beyond feeding methods. And if you are feeling overwhelmed, finding supportive resources such as parenting groups or lactation consultants can make a difference. Ultimately, the goal is to maintain a nurturing environment where both mother and baby can thrive, even if paths diverge from traditional expectations of breastfeeding.
