How do you know when its time to stop BFing?

[Marney]

How do you know when its time to stop BFing, it's the question swimming through my head at the moment.

My LO is 7months, and is still BF. But it has been hard work since birth with cracked nipples, blocked ducts and the rest to follow.
While we are past this stage now, he never seems overly content with his feed, I think my supply isn't enough for him, and haven't been able to increase it. Whenever he is offered a bottle, even immediatley after a BF, he guzzles it.

But i find it emotionally hard to stop, I feel like if i dont make it to that special 1 year mark i will have failed, and i want to do what is best for my LO. I want him to be happy, and healthy.
The deciesion to stop is hard, and i want to hear from others who have stopped before that 1 year mark.
Marney

[3girls1boy]

Sometimes a baby will guzzle a bottle, not because he's hungry but because the milk is coming out and not stopping.

[Somemyrrh]

Even if you have to supplement, you can still nurse. The all or nothing attitude causes too many of us to give up that special relationship too soon. Are you on herbal supplements such as fenugreek? Or prescription domperidone? One or both of those may boost your supply quickly and with little inconvenience.

If your LO will still nurse and you enjoy nursing, there's no reason to stop just because supply falls, and you may be able to recover supply after all. Good luck!

[SubliminalDarkness]

Most babies will guzzle a bottle, even if they're getting enough to eat.

I wouldn't stop breastfeeding even if my supply truly was inadequate. Any amount of breastmilk provides good things for your baby, and nursing can be good for you, too!

[Marney]

Thanks for your replies,
I guess I hadn't really considered that I can still nurse and give him his top up feeds too, I had the mindset of Breast or bottle, and not both, but I think i'll keep offering and see how we go.
Thanks, Marney xx

[PatioGardener]

Originally Posted by Marney

Thanks for your replies,
I guess I hadn't really considered that I can still nurse and give him his top up feeds too, I had the mindset of Breast or bottle, and not both, but I think i'll keep offering and see how we go.
Thanks, Marney xx

'Both' is definitely an option! And the normal facial and jaw and brain development that happens when you breastfeed will continue for your little one! Plus he'll get the immunity boosting effects of breastfeeding, not to mention the nutrition. And what a great tool to have on board as you move towards parenting a toddler - often reconnecting at the breast can diffuse tantrums and meltdowns before they even occur!

Hand in there, Mama, and drop back here any time for advice, encouragement or a pat on the back for your hard work!

[Megan73]

It's absolutely possible to nurse and supplement but I'd make sure you really need to supplement first. Kellymom.com has great resources about normal infant growth. Most babies will guzzle a bottle if it's offered, your LO only needs supplement if he's not gaining well.

[Somemyrrh]

There seems to be a pervasive idea that most babies guzzle bottles, but having supplemented both of my children, I have never witnessed that behavior. My children stop drinking when they are satisfied, and they will reject a bottle if not hungry. Only children whose parents have taught them to overide their bodies' cues tend to overeat, in my experience. It's very difficult to guzzle a slow flow bottle anyway, so I would believe a child drinking from one quickly is likely hungry.

[Marney]

Originally Posted by Somemyrrh

There seems to be a pervasive idea that most babies guzzle bottles, but having supplemented both of my children, I have never witnessed that behavior. My children stop drinking when they are satisfied, and they will reject a bottle if not hungry. Only children whose parents have taught them to overide their bodies' cues tend to overeat, in my experience. It's very difficult to guzzle a slow flow bottle anyway, so I would believe a child drinking from one quickly is likely hungry.

He certainly doesn't drink his bottle if he doesn't want it, and wont always finish it, so I too think that he is hungry. I guess i'll just have to see how things go, as long as I have a happy healthy and full bub, thats what matters at the moment.
I would love to keep BFing, and if I have to give him a bottle of formula, I guess I'm ok with that now

Thanks to all for your replies