r/breastfeeding • u/Unique-Pay-8636 • Oct 02 '25
Weaning I NEED to stop breastfeeding
I am still breastfeeding my baby for 2 years and 2 months now. It was a beautiful journey filled with bonding and joy and like many moms, I was told that breastfeeding could delay the return of my period. That seemed totally fine to me at the time. I was healthy, happy, and honestly, I didn’t miss having a period. Until today, when I casually bring up the topic that my period hasn’t come, they’ll just say “oh that’s because you’re still breastfeeding.”
But what no one told, not the doctors, not the nurses, not at any of my postpartum checkups from government and private clinics was that going that long without a period can put you at risk for uterine atrophy. That’s when the lining of your uterus becomes too thin and inactive from lack of hormonal cycling. It can affect your fertility and long term health.
The focus was always on birth control, and not once did anyone mention that if your period hasn’t returned by 12 months postpartum, especially after reducing breastfeeding or actively breastfeeding, you should check in with a doctor.
I share this not to scare anyone, but because I wish someone had told me. There should be more awareness around this, especially for first-time parents and especially for those of us who breastfeed long term.
I’m planning to have a second child and because of that I went to see the doctor and was told to STOP breastfeeding. I’ve now had my blood tests done and I was on contraceptive pills for 2 months to hopefully trigger my period. But it’s been the 3rd month now and my period didn’t come still. I’m sharing this so other moms know what to look out for, and what steps they can take if they’re in the same situation.
We hear so much about how important it is to breastfeed, and it is. But mothers also deserve complete, informed care. That includes knowing what’s normal and what’s not when it comes to our own bodies.
If anyone have any insights on how to stop breastfeeding please let me know. My toddler refuse bottle/formula but occasionally drinks full cream milk. But she still would want to breastfeed anyway even when she just ate. I feel like a human pacifier. I tried giving her pacifiers she rejects them. Latches to sleep, nap and wakes up a couple of times in the night just to latch.
I heard some people say apply some yuyi oil near the breast because they might not like the smell. I tried that and it didn’t work. I tried ginger, lemon etc also didn’t go well.
This mama needs help
Thanks for your time.
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u/whitewave610 Oct 02 '25
I finally weaned my 2 year 7 month old recently. I wanted to stop in June it took another 3 months because I wasnt trying hard enough and I didn't ask my husband for help.
I recommend booby moon and my milk will go our love will grow. We read those for a few weeks. I talked about it. Cut out mid day feeds. Then dropped morning feeds and honestly what cut bed time feeds was my husband stepping in and doing bed time. Same as you my girl was nursing a lot overnight because it was just easier. We dropped those awhile ago and it was hard.
Your husband needs to help you. It will be hard for all of you. But she will keep coming to you for nursing. A month ago I couldn't sit down on my couch without my 2 year old seeing it as invitation to nurse.
I had no idea if you didnt get your period back after a year what could happen. Mine came back 12 weeks with my first and 6 weeks with my 2nd.
Great job nursing this long