7.09.2010

How to stop breastfeeding?

WARNING! The word breast appears at least a dozen times in this post. Sorry.

I am seriously annoyed right now with the lack of information about how to stop breastfeeding. Every article I read is about making sure it is the right time and how to persevere and breastfeed longer. If I woman wants to stop breastfeeding she has to go through a major guilt trip first apparently.

When Archer was 6 months old, I cut out 2 breastfeeds a day and replaced them with formula. Archer was losing interest in the breast and had no problem switching to formula in a bottle. About a month and a half later, we cut out another breastfeeding session. He was being breastfed at morning and at night. For the past 2-3 weeks the night feeding has been going horrendously. He clearly was either not getting enough milk or not getting it fast enough. We were both not enjoying it.

Three days ago I decided we were done. I do not feel sad about the decision, but I am feeling annoyed by all the stupid articles out in Internet land designed to make a woman feel like crap for making the very personal decision to stop breastfeeding. All I want to know is how to help alleviate the pain of engorged breasts and how long to expect it to last. Is that really asking too much??

Vent over.