So, I just stopped breast feeding Vin when he turned 19 months. It was time. I decided I wouldn't put a time limit on it, but when he was done, and I was done, we were done! I started cutting out feedings, which was fine because I wanted it to be a smooth easy process. Plus, I figured if he didn't seem interested at the feeding, we were done and he could just have a bottle or a sippy cup. I was going to stop when I got my wisdom teeth out (since I had to be on a strong narcotic for pain and he couldn't have that. I was not going to go through the hassle of pumping and dumping when I knew we were near the end). I asked my oral surgeon about it. He said as long as it had been over 8 hours since my last pill, it would be out of my system and I could feed him and then take another if needed and then we'd have to wait 8 hours again before he could feed off of me.
So I took all this in, and just thought "I'll see how it goes." I had started weaning him anyway. He would eat in the morning and sometimes at night. I knew I could replace the night feeding for a bottle and if we stopped, it would all together be an easy transition. But, he got an ear infection and was teething. So, I did feed him and didn't stop like I initially planned on. Once he was done with his antibiotic and was feeling good, I was feedin him one night and he wasn't interested, ate about 2 minutes and wiggled out of my arms. Right then, I said "We're done." And we were. That was back on the 12th and he was exactly 19 months old.
I never had the wonderful opportunity to breast feed Sy. To make a long story short, he was born prematurely, was in the NICU, had major problems, and the nurses gave him bottles so when I finally took him home he had nipple confusion. I tried everything, a lactation consultant, nipple shield, advice from so many people including the La Leche League. I tried for 2 months with no success. It was very emotional and I decided to pump until I dried up, freeze the milk, give him one bottle a day until it was gone . . and that was that. I had to accept he was a bottle baby.
So, with Vin, it was a dream come true. He was born healthy, and loooooved breast feeding. He did great. I am glad I had this experience. It created a bond between him and I that is undescribable. I was able to soothe him when he was upset or sick. I am glad we did it for the time we did. It worked for us. It was amazing and something I am truly thankful for.
(This is him not even three months old. Can you tell he loves his milk?)