This has been an emotional good-bye. The good-bye to breastfeeding.
I was fortunate enough that within minutes of my son being born, he latched instantly. From that moment on, a bond developed. A bond I could never have imagined. Yet a bond that strangely seemed familiar. I can’t explain it.
Those who know me know that I am quite possibly one of the most liberal people… especially about the human body (some may say a hippie — a title I feel quite at home giving myself). So being able to breastfeed was something I did… and did openly and proudly.
My son and I both enjoyed it so much, and the time that it gave us together, that we took it all the way to age 2.
If many of you are like me, you probably asked yourself a million questions about how long to breastfeed for? When is it time to say good-bye?
The long and the short answer is that everyone is different. There is no right or wrong answer.
Here are a couple of tips in deciding when to stop:
- Are you and baby still enjoying it?
- sometimes as mothers we are longing for our bodies back. Do you feel this way?
- is your little one showing signs that they are not interested anymore?
- Do you want your child to remember breastfeeding (some people really do, and some people really don’t)?
- Is your child getting nutrients/nourishment from another source (the older the child is, the easier it will be to answer this question)?
- Is it starting to interfere with your child’s independence? Are they unable to interact away from you? Do they still rely on feeding during the night?
These are just a few of the tips/things to consider when trying to make the decision.
Remember that one size doesn’t fit all.
For me, my goal was to go to two. We both still loved it. As soon as he turned two, we did about a week transition period whereby I would offer him milk in a bottle or water as an alternative when he asked for milk. Magically, we both just sort of knew that the time was now.
He is now 25 months (we “officially” cut off breastfeeding about 3 weeks ago). I think it was harder on me than him…
I also want to share a few tips to ease the transition:
- As mentioned above, have a substitute on hand for when your little one asks
- Try to avoid your child seeing you naked. The mere sight of my breasts were an instant trigger for wanting to feed.
- Talk about it with your child. Even if they are really little… I found it was helpful for me to mentally prepare for it. Plus, they understand more than we know.
- Make it a positive thing. “You are getting to be a big girl/boy, and this is only for babies”
- Have “one last time”. Make it special and a way to say good-bye. Closure.
- Take some photos. Something you can always have to look back on this special time.
I encourage you all to remember that some babies breast feed longer than others. Some not at all. All of this is okay. The most important thing is to listen to yourself and your child. Only you two can ultimately decide when the time is right.
In the meantime, happy breastfeeding mamas!
And when the time comes…. I wish you all a peaceful goodbye to breastfeeding.
As hard as it was, it was one of the most wonderful experiences of my life. While I had to say good-bye, I am forever grateful and will cherish those times — middle of the night feedings, pulling over on the side of the road, on a living room floor at a girlfriend’s house surrounded by loved ones and other babies, in a corner of Chapters, in the bathtub — all of it.
Good-bye breastfeeding.
With all the love and gratitude,
M.J.
