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.