Ask Me Help Desk - Questions about weaning my breastfed baby

Hello. I have numerous questions about weaning my baby. Personally, I do not want to wean her, but given my schedule when I head back to medical school I am going to have to. How long does it "usually" take? I plan on starting to wean her when she is almost 9 months. I tried going back to school and when I started my rotation at the hospital I was pumping every 3-4 hours which got to be somewhat difficult given the responsibility I have for my patients and there are also numerous required conferences, etc. that I had to attend. I noticed that I was having to leave things early and/or pumping much later than anticipated or staying later in the hospital to do the required tasks. Also, I was in the hospital approx. 70 hrs/week and still had "schoolwork" to do when I got home and of course I first spent time with my daughter if she wasn't already asleep. I noticed that when I went back to school she did not sleep well at night because she wanted me and she knew that mommy would be home if she woke up at night so she did so very often. The lack of sleep caught up to me and I wore myself to the ground and had to withdraw from that rotation after a few weeks. I did not even get the chance to study. I plan on redoing the entire 8 weeks at the end of April, but I feel I need to (as well as given the advice from talking to other physicians and residents who were breastfeeding mothers) wean her prior to going back because if not I feel that I will end up with no sleep again and I cannot afford that. My daughter is my priority, but my education is also extremely important and I need to first learn my roles as a mother, wife and student before returning back to school. I have to learn that I cannot be "Super Woman" and do EVERYTHING that I wish to. Do any of you have suggestions?

I was first hoping to stop BF during the day and only feed her at night, but that would put me in the same position (no sleep) minus the fact that I would not have to pump during the day (or maybe just once). She takes frozen breastmilk from a bottle fine for my husband and family (occasionally from me) when I am not around so I do not think the bottle will be an issue. I just feel like such a failure thinking that I will have to stop breastfeeding, but I am trying to be positive and realize that I will not "hurt" my daughter by doing this. I am also fearful that she will be disappointed in me and I will also miss that special time with her. However, I make sure I comfort her in other ways too.

I would appreciate any input with this or even any additional suggestions, etc... Thank you.

I commend you for what you are doing as well as being concerned about the welfare of your child.

Now how long it will take to wean is different for every woman and child as I am sure you have already heard.

I understand your feelings of being a failure, but you should not feel this way. There are many women who can't breastfeed for one reason or another. I was one of them. I nursed my first 2, but I never produced enough milk. With my third child she was only 4 pounds and the pediatrician felt that the formula would be better for her since I was not able to produce enough for my first to 8 pound babies. With my fourth child it was impossible to breastfeed since I had a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction years earlier. So, you are not a failure in the least bit.

Now, your daughter won't be disappointed in you, she does not know disappointment yet. When she grows up she will be proud of you and your efforts rather than being disappointed. But, sadly, yes, you will most likely miss that special time, but remember you have already created a very special bond with your girl.

As for tips and tricks, if she is already taking well to a bottle you can try and remove one or two breastfeedings per day. It will probably take some time, but you can do this.

You are a very special mother, wife, and student. I am in nursing school, so I can truly appreciate what you have to go through. Good luck girl!! And keep up the good work.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mama713

Hello. I have numerous questions about weaning my baby. Personally, I do not want to wean her, but given my schedule when I head back to medical school I am going to have to. How long does it "usually" take? I plan on starting to wean her when she is almost 9 months. I tried going back to school and when I started my rotation at the hospital I was pumping every 3-4 hours which got to be somewhat difficult given the responsibility I have for my patients and there are also numerous required conferences, etc. that I had to attend. I noticed that I was having to leave things early and/or pumping much later than anticipated or staying later in the hospital to do the required tasks. Also, I was in the hospital approx. 70 hrs/week and still had "schoolwork" to do when I got home and of course I first spent time with my daughter if she wasn't already asleep. I noticed that when I went back to school she did not sleep well at night because she wanted me and she knew that mommy would be home if she woke up at night so she did so very often. The lack of sleep caught up to me and I wore myself to the ground and had to withdraw from that rotation after a few weeks. I did not even get the chance to study. I plan on redoing the entire 8 weeks at the end of April, but I feel I need to (as well as given the advice from talking to other physicians and residents who were breastfeeding mothers) wean her prior to going back because if not I feel that I will end up with no sleep again and I cannot afford that. My daughter is my priority, but my education is also extremely important and I need to first learn my roles as a mother, wife and student before returning back to school. I have to learn that I cannot be "Super Woman" and do EVERYTHING that I wish to. Do any of you have suggestions??

I was first hoping to stop BF during the day and only feed her at night, but that would put me in the same position (no sleep) minus the fact that I would not have to pump during the day (or maybe just once). She takes frozen breastmilk from a bottle fine for my husband and family (occasionally from me) when I am not around so I do not think the bottle will be an issue. I just feel like such a failure thinking that I will have to stop breastfeeding, but I am trying to be positive and realize that I will not "hurt" my daughter by doing this. I am also fearful that she will be disappointed in me and I will also miss that special time with her. However, I make sure I comfort her in other ways too.

I would appreciate any input with this or even any additional suggestions, etc... Thank you.

Thank you so much for the response. I truly appreciate your input and I will take all of it to heart as I begin this "new" journey starting in April. Most Sincerely and best wishes to you as well!

I just wanted to say, congrats on breastfeeding your baby for so long. I only breastfed my son for 3 months, when he decided he had had enough, and wanted to stick with the freedom of a bottle. Hah. I was pretty downhearted about that. However, he has still grown up healthy and strong, and we still had plenty of bonding time. You can still bond while using the bottle. Just holding your baby close, looking into their eyes and talking to them while they eat is wonderful bonding time. Good luck in your future endeavures!

Hi, I breastfed my first baby for 3 months I got very sore because he was so demanding and got very tired. When I stopped I stopped completely no weaning! I think formula milk is more filling so baby will sleep better/longer. I must admit your breasts will be sore for a little while, but wear a very tight bra and take pain killers. Your body will soon realize you no longer want to BF so your breasts will eventually stop producing milk. You will leak a lot so wear loads of pads. I hope this is OK info, I must admit weaning could take a while if you done it gradually but it worked for me!