I am dying to tell someone my news..

[roundtower]

It looks like dd has finished with breastfeeding. She was 4 recently and had just been having a quick feed at bedtime for ages but was reluctant to give that up.

Five nights ago she was exhausted after a busy day and fell asleep listening to music with me so I decided to try that the next night and she didn't ask for a feed. On the third night I was away at bedtime (she always settled without bf if I was out) so I carried on with a slightly later bedtime and music and she has settled without bf every time. No drama, upset or fuss.

I am so pleased as I was ready to stop but wasn't sure how to go about it but she clearly was ready too.

I'm not looking for a debate about extended bf ( I am obviously pro ) but due to people's attitudes no-one in real life other than DH knew she was still breastfed.

She is my youngest and it is a big change in my life and it feels strange that I can't talk to family/friends about it.

Thanks for listening.

[sheeplikessleep]

Good on you and how lovely that you both wanted to finish at a similar time.

[Bunsouttheoven]

That's a wonderful achievement & great to have come to completion without angst for you or your dd. A new chapter now. When I stopped bf my two oldest dc both at 2.5yrs it was much the same situation. I was ready to stop & so were they. A great end to a lovely time.

[ChocolateCoins]

That's brilliant. great that you managed to stop without any fuss or upset. You should be really proud of yourself.

My DD has just stopped too as I'm pregnant and my milk dried up so she completely lost interest

[EauRouge]

Well done, I'm so glad it ended happily for you both. How are you feeling about it? I'm sorry that there's no one else for you to tell. Have you been planning a treat for yourself?

[roundtower]

Thanks everyone.

Mostly I am just feeling relieved really. I was ready to stop but she got very upset at previous attempts to wean her off fully.

There is also some sadness there because although she is clearly a big girl now she is still my baby and it doesn't look like I'll be having any more children so that's it for me.

I did manage over 5 years of breastfeeding on only 2 children though so I've definitely done my time.

No treat planned although now you have given me the idea maybe I'll ask DH out for a lovely meal.

[LovesBeingWokenEveryNight]

Defo do something, it's a milestone.

[KoalaFace]

Well done and congratulations that it came to a nice, natural end.

It's lovely!

[TerrariaMum]

Oh, that is lovely. Well done you! I hope it will be like this for us.

[TaurielTest]

That sounds ideal, how lovely. Give it a few weeks then 'celebrate' by buying a gorgeous new non-nursing bra ;)

[Thumbwitch]

Aww, it can be a bit sad when they choose to stop but it sounds like you'd had enough anyway so well done for letting it come to a natural conclusion!

I agree with waiting a few weeks before you buy new underwear. And get some cabbage leaves in the freezer for when your boobs feel a bit sore, probably in about 4d time (IME). :)

[roundtower]

Just a quick update. Dd went to sleep without a feed again tonight. I think this really is the end.

So far I haven't spoken to her about not feeding and she hasn't mentioned it either. Should I wait til she says something?

[bigbadbarry]

Congratulations :) I wouldn't mention it unless she does.
I am really ready for my 3-year-old to stop but she dropped night time feeds ages ago and likes it first thing in the morning instead. Harder to distract I think - DDs 1 and 2 dropped night time first.
Sorry, don't mean to make it all about me! Definitely treat yourself.

[Startail]

Well done on feeding so long, DD2 and I carried on somewhat longer, but I'd have been happy if she'd stopped at 4 as she fell asleep and very heavy to get to bed.
When she was older she didn't go to sleep, didn't feed as long and it was really just a nice good night hug and then she'd take herself up stairs.
Also she'd have a few days off now and then.

[jessebuni]

Aw it's a bit sad that you can tell anyone but I understand. People can be so judgemental just seeing a baby feed let alone a toddler. My first I fed until around 1 but I went back to work at 9 months and due to expressing and bottles he just lost interested in feeding. I was disappointed that it just kind of stopped and I never got much closure. I'm hoping to feed my second now 9 months until around 2 maybe longer so bedtime feeds just for a bit of bonding time but very open about continuing as long as she wants. It's such a good thing that you managed to get to that stage where you were both ready :)

[roundtower]

Thanks everyone.

It's been a week since she had a feed now. She seems happy to cuddle to sleep and hasn't mentioned it at all.

I have a few extra special treats for her for Easter. I am so proud of us both.

jessbuni You are right about people being judgemental about breastfeeding. My MIL in particular seemed to find the whole thing distasteful even when dd was a newborn so I can't imagine what she would have thought of me feeding a 4 year old.

I'm glad I stuck to my principles though.

[MrsNPattz]

That's wonderful - the fact that you breast fed for so long and that you have come to a mutual end that you are both happy with! I think it's so sad that people have to be embarrassed about extended breast feeding - good on you!

[IwishIwasmoreorganised]

How lovely - for you both.

[FadBook]

How lovely roundtower, it sounds like it was the perfect natural end.

DD, 19 months, is still going, but has dropped bed time and late night ones now. It's her morning one and the random day time ones where she shouts MIMI at the top of her voice that is her main one, don't think she'll be stopping that for a while!

Same as you, no one know's I'm feeding (other than ladies at the group I peer support at)

[Melanka]

Thumbs up! Thanks for sharing your story.

[VisualiseAHorse]

Sounds so lovely that it came to a really natural end for you both :)

[TiredFeet]

congratulations, I think it is lovely that you found such a gentle way to ease her off it when she seemed ready.

[BranchingOut]

Congratulations! We came to a natural end at 2.10 and it felt,...right. We had a couple of really special conversations about it, around the time of stopping, which made me feel pleased to have carried on to that point. He still remembers it though and sometimes pretends to feed, which I never refuse.:)

[Shellington]

Just read this, sounds like a lovely transition to your new bedtime routine. Well done all round :)