A year. When I was pregnant I remember thinking how long a year of breastfeeding seemed. The first week of Hailey’s life when breastfeeding felt like a razor being taken to my nipples multiple times each day, a year seemed like an eternity. Yet here I sit now, 11 months later, feeling like the past year has flown by.
Who is this tiny baby?
I always said I wanted to nurse Hailey until a year, and I won’t deny the fact that I’m proud she’s been exclusively breastfed for the past 11 months. At this point I feel confident we’ll make it to a year. Maybe beyond.
By “beyond”, I don’t mean until age 3. I know extended breastfeeding is a choice of some, and to you, I give high fives! Around here, though, I’ve always had the 12 month mark as my milestone.
Hailey is eating real food at an incredible rate. No longer can she just share off my plate, she requires substantial toddler meals at most sittings. Though she still nurses like a champ first thing in the morning, her 3 other nursing sessions are becoming a bit lazier. To me, this signals that the time is right to begin weaning.
I say begin to wean because I have no intention of cutting her off cold turkey. I don’t want to do that to her (or go through the horrific pain of engorgement. There are not enough cabbage leaves in the world…) Instead, I’m taking a taper approach.
In roughly 2 weeks, when she’s just over 11 months old, I’ll reduce her 4 nursings down to 3 by eliminating the session after her afternoon nap. Instead, I’ll give her a snack when she wakes up. Once she turns 1, I’ll drop the middle feeding and begin introducing whole, organic cow’s milk. (I’m considering trying to find goat milk, but that topic is for another day). After another week or so passes, I’ll drop down to 1 nursing session, then after another week or two, she’ll (theoretically) be fully weaned. I’m guessing this will be mid-Octoberish.
I’m excited about Hailey being sustained on healthy, whole foods. I’m looking forward to being able to throw my pump at a tree. …or just lock it in a closet. I’m going to possibly shed a tear or two as this special bonding comes to an end. But that’s life.
Any advice for me?
How did you wean? Or how do you plan to?
Molly @ Duchess of Fork says
You are amazing, Brittany! I can’t even imagine how proud you must be of this major accomplishment. Here’s hoping the weaning process is a smooth transition for H and mommy.
Susan @ Real Life Travels says
The Bond won’t end! She’ll still want her cuddle time! I feel like I have a better bond with Caden now then I ever did breastfeeding, I bet H won’t miss a beat and you’ll transition great! Good Luck!
Jenny says
Congrats on almost fulfilling your goal. That’s fantastic! I think your approach to weaning sounds great. We gradually weaned and I think that because of that we had a pretty easy transition. Susan is right the special bond won’t end it will just be met in different ways 🙂
blackhuff says
I can’t really give you any advice on how to wean off your little one from breast cause I did not breastfeed.
Looking at the two photos of your daughter, they change so much over time. She was so cute when she was a baby and look how much cuter she got 🙂
Brittany says
Thanks so much! I think she keeps getting cuter, too, but I might be biased 😉
Erika says
In 10 short days my baby boy will be 1 year old. Yeah – this past year has gone by crazy fast. At about 10.5 months we knocked out one feeding and right now he is at 3 feedings a day. Once he gets to a year I plan on stopping breastfeeding and move his milk feedings to be with his meal times and not inbetween. I still have a ton of breastmilk frozen so we will start mixing that with cow milk until it is gone (gradually increasing the amount of cow milk). As far as weaning myself – I have already cut out myself down to two a day and once he is done feeding I will reduce my pump time. PS – I will not miss my pump at all!!!
Brittany says
Should we throw a “done pumping” party? Because THAT is reason to celebrate! Sounds like you have a great plan set up. Good luck 🙂
Paulina says
High five for making it to your goal! I’m aiming for a year too, which is 2 months away. I’m SOOOOOOOOOO sick of pumping at work twice a day every day. (ha. It feels good to say that without worrying about backlash from lactavists!) I’m hooked up right now, and I can’t wait to be done in a few months. I’m grateful my work environment is understanding and has allowed me to have these breaks for this long, but I’m also so over planning around nursing/pumping schedules, and planning a wardrobe around access to the boob! One year is an accomplishment and something to be proud of.
Brittany says
Lactavists- haha! I’ve never heard that! You deserve extra praises for keeping up with pumping at work. Seriously, I admire your dedication SO much! Now we can look forward to normal bras and shirts that don’t button down 😉
Holly says
Well, considering breastfeeding hasn’t begun quite yet (8ish weeks to go), I’m definitely not thinking about weaning yet! I actually read your “What no one told me about breastfeeding” post the other day! Love that you keep it real! I’m interested in the whole goat/cow milk thing- Is milk just an easy way to get in those calories without overwhelming little tummies with too much solid food?
Brittany says
8 weeks to go!! So exciting!
I still have some more research into milk to do. I think it’s praised because of the fat it gives to babies, but having an avocado and olive oil lover, I’m not too worried about fats. I’ve heard goat milk is easier to digest, so I’d like to look more into that, too. I’ll let you know what I find!
Jen says
Can I just say how happy I am that H is 2 months older than W? I have the same goals and cannot wait to hear how weaning goes for you guys! I’m really going to miss breastfeeding, but pumping? Not at all! 😉
Erin says
I can’t believe she is almost a year old! I started reading back when you were 30-something weeks pregnant. Way to go on one year! We are at month 7, still exclusively breastfeeding and are, too, going for the one year goal. I’ll probably take a similar approach with weaning, so I’m excited to read about your experience!
Brittany says
Congrats on making it to 7 months! I’ll let you know how the weaning goes- hopefully smoothly for both of us. Fingers crossed I don’t cry my eyes out at her last feeding 😉
Cindi says
Your plans look similar to what we did. I had planned to gradually wean over a month, but with our travels I ended up postponing it a bit – so her last feeding was just last week, at 14 months. It was definitely bittersweet – but it went much smoother than I had anticipated! Good luck & know that I’m here for you!
Laura says
I am in the midst of weaning now with my 11 month old son; we’re down to morning and evening nursing sessions. Definitely bittersweet! How did you replace those two feedings? Thanks!
Nicole says
I really would love to see a post on your milk choice for after weaning. A is almost 9 months old so we are starting to think about these things. I too hope to breastfeed to a year and “beyond”. Im hoping to get down to first thing in the mornign and before bed and then let her naturally wean off those. I honestly LOVE nursing her but HATE pumping and will be SOOO happy when that is over. Breastfeeding has been a struggle for us but I wouldn’t change it for the world! Good job on hitting your goal…or hitting in a month rather, but I know you will! Love the blog!
Brittany says
I’m going to research more into milk choices and I’ll be sure to report back! I feel the same way as you- love nursing, HATE pumping. However, it will be nice to be able to sleep on my tummy without having my engorged boobs hurt in the morning 😉
Melissa G says
I remember being where you are. Although at about 10 months my daughter just all the sudden had no interest in nursing anymore. I had this plan all set on how I was going to wean, but it was basically one day she stopped. I realized a few days later when I didn’t feel engorged that she was prob weaning herself over the weeks before that. Seeing how your daughter only feeds strong in the morning, I would just cut one feeding every week. And keep that morning feeding till the end. Do you give her a sippy cup yet? We used the soft top sippy cups with milk and feed it to her on your lap (sorta in the position of nursing) with her laying down and slowly serve it to her (obv it’s up to you) on her own as she gets more comfortable, or at least that’s what worked for our youngest son. Both our kids after a few days were milk-aholics. Obv, that may not be true with your daughter, but that was a good substitution for the last feeding, which can be hard to wean.
Happy weaning =)
ps. I love how your blog is now a lot about your daughter and getting back to being “normal” after baby…I’ve sent your blog to sooo many friends =)
Brittany says
Oh, great info! I wouldn’t be surprised if H is naturally weaning herself a little at a time, too. Besides the mornings, I don’t even feel like my boobs are very full, so that’s promising! She drinks water out of a straw cup, and I think I’m going to get her a zolibot cup soon to start getting comfortable with, but I might try a few different cup options.
PS- thanks so much for your sweet words. Totally made my day!
Christie says
Your plan is very similar to what I did with Riley. She was letting me know that she needed less milk by eating more whole foods, so I just followed her lead. Even with the weaning, I still had some slight engorgement the first week or so, but it wasn’t as bad as I expected (just felt like I needed to pump). It helped having Ryan to encourage me to stick to our plan, or else I think I would’ve kept nursing her another month or so. That first night of putting her to bed without breastfeeding her first left me a little emotional, but i got over it 😉
nicole @ making good choices says
i need to book mark all these posts for when i need them! thanks for sharing!
Katie @ Legally Fit says
I am in the same boat! My goal was a year- I can’t believe how fast it is approaching. It makes me sad to think of it but at the same time, I will be happy to have my body be completely my own (and drink beer without getting a clogged duct, yay). I am going to try something similar to what you are doing. Awesome job, mama!
Brittany says
Yes, I completely agree. To have my body back to myself is going to be a strange and wonderful feeling. And high five for beer without engorgement! 😉
Kinley @ Better Off Barefoot says
It just occurred to me today that I first found your blog from WIAW back when you were 30 or so weeks pregnant with baby. I can’t believe how fast this year has gone and she’s now such a cute little peanut doing her own thing and eating real food! IF I ever have kids, I hope I can be as calm and organized about parenting as you seem to be 🙂 I’m sure you have had your stressful moments but from what I can see, you are raising an awesome little girl! Can’t wait to see how her first birthday turns out 🙂
Brittany says
Thanks so much, Kinley!! Totally made me smile with your kind words. I’m certainly had my a frantic moment or two, but overall, I lucked out with a pretty chill little girl who has made parenting a dream. Have a fabulous day! 🙂
Kristin says
I’m tearing up thinking about weaning and my daughter is just 5 months. I will not miss pumping though! You should be so proud that you made it til 1 year! I hope I do too 🙂
Roz@weightingfor50 says
No advice, ’cause I’m not a mom, but just had to say I LOL at the words “throw the pump at a tree”. Have a great day Brittany!!!
Hanna says
I have a 4 month old baby girl who nurses like a champ. I’m planning on nursing her until she turns 1. My first baby girl (who’ll be 3 on Sept. 17) didn’t latch on, so I pumped for her for 9 months. I tried to make it to 1 year but I was SO over it! I figured 9 months was good enough! When I decided to stop pumping I started spacing out my pumping sessions by adding an hour in between and gradually shortening the pumping time. When I stopped pumping completely I became engogred and cabbage leaves seemed to help. I doubt you’ll have that problem since your lil peanut seems to be cutting back on her own. Good job on breastfeeding for so long!
Jen@HealthyFoodandFamily says
I only breastfed my youngest and while I was ready to wean him at 3 months, he had another agenda and we continued until 13 months. At that point he was only nursing first thing in the morning and at night, then we both got thrush and I got a nasty case of mastitis and that was it. He wanted nothing to do with it anymore. I had planned on weaning him off slowly, but instead it was rushed and I think I went through 2 heads of cabbage and tons of pain reliever!!!
Haley says
One year is awesome! My son is just over 7 months but I plan on nursing until 1 year too. I hope you share your weaning experience. I was wondering how to taper off without getting engorged.
Katie @ Pop Culture Cuisine says
Yep, hard to believe we are getting to that 1 year mark, I just made Kherie’s 12 month wellness visit appointment today and almost started crying because I couldn’t believe we how fast this year has gone. I am in the same boat as you with the 4 feedings at almost 11 months, but I can tell the middle two are largely out of habit when she wakes up from her naps. Her morning session is still by far the longest, so at 11 months I was also planning to drop it back to 3 and then introduce milk at a year. Unfortunately she has had to have a few formula bottles lately as I wasn’t able to keep up with pumping enough while at work. So while she is still predominantly getting breast milk, she has had probably 4 or 5 formula bottles. But I’m still very proud how far we have gotten, but not gonna lie I won’t be sad when I don’t have to pump anymore :)!
Brittany says
It sounds like we have very similar daily schedules! He’s midday nursings are habit, too, after naps. And you better be patting yourself on the back BIG TIME for pumping at work. I really don’t know how you do it. Superstar mom!
Becky says
I’m new to your blog – LOVE it. My son turned 1 recently and we, too, made it to 1 year. Like you, it sounded like such a long time when he was born and when the first month was so hard, I wasn’t sure we’d make it.
I (like some of your other commenters) was SOOOOO sick of pumping at work. I had to pump 3x some days to keep up with what he was consuming at daycare. It was a happy day when I put that thing away for a while.
We weaned over the course of 5ish weeks. I dropped 1 pump every 10 days until I wasn’t pumping anymore at work. He was just nursing morning and night. First, we dropped the morning nurse and then the night one. He transitioned just fine and we still get plenty of snuggle time.
I didn’t have any problems with engorgement (though I did randomly leak a few times…) so you should be okay with your time table.
He’s getting all the nutrients he needs from the food he eats. We give him some milk, but not a ton. I’ve done a lot of reading about how much (if any) cows milk kiddos need. It’s interesting to read about.
Good luck & keep up the awesome blog. I’m loving the new posts and catching up on old ones.
Sara says
Becky, this is interesting, I loved reading your response. My daughter will be one in two weeks and I have been pumping at work (shoot me) sometimes up to 3x/day to keep up. I decreased that about two months ago and then a month later down to one pump/day and this is the first week I am not pumping at all during the day – so liberating!
Your post (and Brittany, your plan to do food instead of a bottle of milk or formula when you drop the first feeding) makes me wonder if I should do an extra snack instead of a bottle of formula in place of a nursing. I still nursing in the AM and PM, but now she takes 2 bottles of formula during the day (as well as bfast, lunch and dinner!). I wonder if I am overdoing it?
I also HATE the pump, but really loved nursing, much more than I ever thought I would. Brittany, it sounds like you feel the way I do, excited at the idea of having your body to yourself but sad about this being over. I have really mixed feelings, but just like Hailey, Carolines nursings during the day were getting really lazy and I wasn’t pumping much (which makes me think she wasnt taking much when I was nursing!).
Interesting post, I love seeing your meals for her, gives me great ideas!
Brittany says
Thank you both so much for such great input on the subject. I’m certainly no expert, so it helps so much to have other moms to bounce ideas off of.
I plan to read a little bit more into types of milk (goat vs cow vs almond, etc) to learn about why we give milk to children and how much they really need. I prefer Hailey to get as much nutrition as possible from whole foods, but am not against milk. Like anything, I just want to know why it is suggested, rather than just follow along blindly.
Sara, maybe Caroline needs the extra formula and meals right now? Only you know what is best for her! You can always try subbing one formula bottle for a snack and see how she does? And you’re right, we are in the same boat. I love nursing and will be sad when we are done, but having my body back to myself will be a novel feeling.
I’ll keep you posted on what I find with the milk research and report back!
Vicky@little baby, big city says
I decided not to set an end date to my breastfeeding. I am hoping to make it to 18 months, maybe a little longer. I have no pump hatred…. I tried pumping but my almost 7 month old refuses a bottle! I envy people who get to pump with purpose!!!
RookieMom Heather says
Good job, mama!
Cate says
I’ve just been starting to think about this too – Ellie is 11 months next week. She’s definitely less interested in nursing during the day, but I think the night and first thing in the morning feedings will stay for awhile.
There were definitely times (pumping multiple times a day at work, ugh) I thought we’d NEVER make it to a year…but we’re almost there!
Emily (The Culinary Couple) says
We’re following a very similar plan over here. In fact, Sam has already weaned himself down to just three nursing sessions per day. I’m sure he’ll drop the last daytime feeding in the next few weeks, leaving just morning and night. It’s bittersweet, though, right? I’m thrilled that Sam loves food as much as he does, but I will certainly miss our snuggles.
Mari says
Looking forward to seeing how your experience goes! My little guy is 2 years and 1 month and I cannot get him off me! Every time I sit down, take a shower, change shirts, bend over and show cleavage, etc., he runs up to me saying, “Milky! Milky!” I’ve had thoughts of initiating weaning, but at this point I think his whole world would crash down around him.
Although, I’m not too hip on the idea of nursing a “big kid,” so something must happen soon.
Anyway, best of luck to you and Hailey!
Katy @MonsterProof says
At 1 year I started trying to introduce “other” milks. First I tried cow’s, but my son would have NONE of it. He’d pitch the cup across the room. (I should say, I never put breast milk into sippy cups, and never put “other” milk into bottles. I still think that was a good choice.) He did, however, like coconut milk. We swapped out his daycare bottles, and I dropped a pump at work, then a couple weeks later, the other pump. At that point, he was still nursing 3x a day at home (6am, 4pm, and 8pm). Probably around 13 months, I dropped the 4pm. Around 14 months, we started mixing cow’s milk with the coconut milk. We’re up to about 1/2 and 1/2. (He’ll be 15m in a week.) I have no PLAN to wean the last 2 nursings, but he seems to be missing them more frequently, either by choice or time conflict. I don’t think it will be much longer. By spacing out when I dropped pumping/feedings, I really have never felt more than mild discomfort. Good luck! (sorry for the novel)
laura says
Hey just came across ur blog n was seeing how u n Hailey are doin and if ur plan for weaning worked out how u hoped? My 2 nd daughter Kaitkynn just turned one on Jan 27and she is eating table foods great but we are still nursing 3 times a day ad also drinks whole milk..she knows where to get her milk from me too lol she’ll come over n try to lift up my shirt. I don’t know when she will b weaned but i as long as she’s happy I’m happy. Yesterday though I woke up with awful pain all over my left breast n it even hurts after she nurses for 10 min emptying it..I have a doc appt tom I hope I don’t have an infection 🙁 I’ve been on the couch all day today.
Kate @ ZoolaBaby says
Hi,
Just weaning my 2.5 old daughter and I can only say : it’s not easy but not impossible. For the first 3 days I have been putting apple cider vinegar so she could smell herself that’s something is OFF… Then she got a little used to so I put black pepper on my breasts and she didn’t like it. Oh, she would say that they are ” dirty”. And finally, I have been saying that Mommy is hurt … I mean – constantly …
Eventually she stopped asking for them , but now they hurt so much, so I have been putting cabbage (cold) and it’s better but they are hard and again painful ….Hopefully, this will come to the end soon!
Good luck 😉
Mandy says
I am also trying to wean as my girl just turned one. Could you put up a typical meal schedule/eating plan per day as you feed your georgeous little one? I would like to get some ideas? I live in Namibia and we don’t have access to books regarding good meals for toddlers here
Brittany Dixon says
Hi Mandy- thanks so much for commenting. Hailey is now almost 2 1/2 and I blame mommy brain, but I can’t remember for the life of me what her eating schedule was at one. I think the Munchkin Meals Link tab (under food at the top of the page) should be helpful in showing you a bit more about what Hailey ate at each stage. I’m sorry I’m not more help. I’ll try to take better notes when #2 arrives in May! Good luck 🙂
Chrissy says
Hi Brittany, I was reading through all of the comments everyone has posted over a year ago haha. But I admire all of you and it’s nice to see a blog where everyone is so encouraging. My middle child is closer to your haileys age, he’s two. I did not bf him quite as long as my youngest she will be 1 in Three weeks. I’m down to 4 nursing a day with her and looking forward to bonding in other ways and having my body back lol. I really won’t miss my nursing bras that I have been wear for about a year now. Congratulations and good luck with everything.
Marie Kennedy says
Just came across your blog in my research on “weaning”. My daughter will be 12 months Oct 12th…just a few days away!!! She has always refused bottles and a pacifier..we have spent a small fortune on different bottles and tried absolutely everything on trying to get her warmed up to taking a bottle of expressed milk and still nothing worked; she had her mind made up! I am guilty of nursing & rocking her to sleep for all of her naps and bedtime. I will be away from her for a couple of days in February and have set that to be my goal to have her weaned by then ((hopefully)). This is such a sensitive subject for me and I just want to do what is best for her and know she will be okay without me around. She will drink water from her sippy cup and has drank EBM from her sippy for her dad a small handful of times. I plan on slowly introducing a sippy of organic cow’s milk each day and eventually have that replace her morning nursing session and possibly her afternoon over the next month or so. Then attempt the night time nursing. She still wakes up twice a night to nurse as well. So, if any mom’s out there have any advice for me or experience such as this please share! I feel so lost!
Jeasica says
I feel like this is where I am! My daughter will be 1 in a week and my plan was also a year. We are also taking a huge trip in a month and I want to have no pump to deal with when we travel. I’ve been thinking about starting with the afternoon session and going straight to snack after nap. Thanks for the encouragement! 🙂 she is still a long nurser, always has been, but they are definitely getting lazier and lazier about 90% of the time.