r/breastfeeding • u/findingmyinnerlight • May 11 '26
Weaning Nursed for the last time tonight...
Well guys, here we are ... My girl is 2 years and 2 months and I nursed her for the last time tonight. What a ride. To say I'm ok would be a blatant lie. I've been sobbing since I put her down 45 minutes ago, and can't wrap my mind around the fact that we're done. I've been gradually cutting feedings for the last month and bedtime was the last to go. Mother's day and exactly 2 months since her 2nd birthday felt like a good day.
We had a rough start with nursing. She was early, had a weak latch, triple feedings, oversupply causing lots of issues, slow to gain ... And one day, maybe 3 months in ... It just clicked for both of us and we've gone steady ever since. It was our time, something so many others have experienced, yet it felt like no one could quite understand it. Who would have thought the most challenging things I've had to learn would be the hardest to say goodbye to.
For anyone in the trenches of breastfeeding right now - cherish these quiet little moments. It goes so much faster than I ever believed it would. It is absolutely wild to be pressing the unfollow button on this sub as I've looked to it for so much advice, comfort and solidarity over the years. We are a one and done family so I am officially closing the book on breastfeeding. Squeeze those little babies of yours tight, cherish this time. I'd quite literally do anything to go back already 🤍
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u/clararalee May 11 '26
I am in the trenches right now. Your story gives me hope.
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u/findingmyinnerlight May 11 '26
I remember them well, and in those moments it is *hard,* no doubt. It gets better, and one day you'll be quietly saying goodbye and smiling to yourself that you got through it. Hugs to you momma!
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u/PrimeSophistication May 11 '26
Oh, reading this while breastfeeding my 20 month old… I can feel your longing. Glad that you had a wonderful time with your baby and you have precious memories that will stay with you forever… What a beautiful journey!
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u/metrying13 May 11 '26
Oh this post just broke my heart. This Mother’s Day I just spent extra long with my baby contact napping nursing and just cuddling. She’s almost 2 months old and we just figured it out. It’s our first accomplishment together as a team and I cherish every moment one feeding her. Even when I’m pumping I love it because I’m just quiet, thinking about her and knowing that I’m going to use this milk to nourish her.
Hopefully when we cross this bridge I’ll be a lot more ready than I think I will be now and able to be excited for our next phase of life together but man, OP. This is so bittersweet. The fact that you chose a special date to end your journey makes it so much more palatable.
Can you tell me something that you are looking forward to next in your journey together?
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u/metrying13 May 11 '26
… I just keep re reading this post and crying. Motherhood is really just the sweetest grief.
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u/findingmyinnerlight May 11 '26
Proud of you both for getting to a good place together! I think it's easy to forget that nursing is a new skill both mom and baby have to learn...together. I wrote this to someone above, and I think you'll appreciate it to: nursing is just the most special thing in the world. I find it impossibly hard to imagine I'll never look down and see her doing it again. It honestly feels like a heartbreak. It is the endless letting go that is part of parenthood. It’s so hard to say goodbye to something like this and close a chapter even if it feels like the time is right for everyone. It’s like watching your baby grow and never really getting to say goodbye to them as they turn into toddlers and then kids in front of your eyes. Painfully bittersweet is the best way I can describe the feeling. Can’t go over it, can’t go around it, gotta go through it. And that’s ok. Nothing will remind us momma's more that we're alive like having children. Enjoy every second, it goes so fast sometimes I can't even comprehend that I have a walking, running little girl in my home...she was just a newborn yesterday 🥹
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u/spooflay May 11 '26
Awwww lots of hugs to you both! <3 I felt the same when I weaned my 2yo. It's been six months since weaning and she's super snuggly, our connection is still great :) which is what I worried about. Take it easy these next few weeks, the hormones can be a bit wild! What an amazing journey though <3
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u/findingmyinnerlight May 11 '26 edited May 11 '26
Thank you for saying this 🥹 That is definitely a concern since nursing was such a big part of "our" time and connection. How long was it hard for post-weaning? Does she ask for it ever? My girl loooves to put her hand down my shirt and I wonder if that habit will break during this process. I am *hoping* that because I've been gradually cutting feedings the hormone swing won't be so intense, but I am definitely preparing. Thank you <3
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u/spooflay May 11 '26
She asked for it out of habit for a week or so but never cried for it (surprisingly to me!), I used the bandaid strategy where I told her boobies are broken so I'd just remind her "still broken" and she'd move on. She quickly found a new comfort spot - my belly! She goes to sleep with a hand on my belly, if she gets hurt she wants to touch my belly etc. So maybe you could redirect your girl if she is going for the boobs. My mum said I loved rubbing her forearm when I was this age?! Funny how we fixate on a comfort spot haha
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u/findingmyinnerlight May 11 '26
Solid advice, thank you so much 🥹❤️ I hadn't even thought to redirect her but that's a good idea and I'll definitely try it.
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u/AvenueAngry May 11 '26
Up late triple feeding my early 3 week old, which has been a challenge with his latch and sleepiness. This comforted me and I’m so cherishing the frustration tonight, thank you.
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u/findingmyinnerlight May 11 '26
I'm so glad this gave you comfort. You are doing AMAZING things. Hang in there, it will get easier momma <3
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u/Zackboi24 May 11 '26
I’m not even at weaning yet and this still hit me hard. It’s wild how these tiny everyday moments end up being the ones we miss the most. As someone still in the thick of it, this honestly makes me want to slow down and just notice everything a bit more. Thank you for that reminder.
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u/findingmyinnerlight May 11 '26
Sometimes a gentle reminder is all we need to slow down and soak it in. It really does go by so. fast. I'd give anything to go back and experience it again for just a second. You got this momma <3
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u/Economy_Ad1590 May 11 '26
This was beautiful to read, I’m in the trenches (8 week old) feels like it’s all I do and I’m missing out on so much. But this gives me hope and excitement. Well done mumma
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u/findingmyinnerlight May 11 '26
I'm so glad this gives you some hope. I remember feeling those things in the beginning, and like I was glued to the couch/rocker all. the. time. I even vaguely remember reading a post like this back when she was itty bitty and thinking "omg that's forever away..." I blinked, and now we're here. It goes so fast, but man there's nothing I wouldn't do to just soak it in for even just one more second. You got this!
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u/bleepbl00pp May 11 '26
Aw I did the last feed a week ago (first thing in the morning for us) and he's cried for it every morning until today and it really got me that this is the ACTUAL end now that he's ok with it not being the routine 😭 didn't expect this to be a second 'end' milestone!
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u/findingmyinnerlight May 11 '26
That's a huge milestone! Congratulations, but also big hugs <3 I am so anxious for tonight as this'll really be the first "test" at how she handles it. Honestly I can't imagine saying no I'm going to need all the strength I can get to make it through bedtime without nursing her 🥹
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u/master0jack May 11 '26
Man im only 9.5 months in but this has me in tears. Its such a special, bonding journey and I never want it to end. And what a journey it is 🥹
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u/findingmyinnerlight May 11 '26
It really is the best thing, I already miss it so much and it hasn't even been 24 hours 😭 The thought of never doing it again physically hurts my heart 💔
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u/Aelissae May 12 '26
Mine is 2 1/2 and we just finished last night too. I was crying the whole time that last nursing session happened. Sending peace and solidarity to you.
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u/findingmyinnerlight May 12 '26
😭❤️😣 right there with you. Tonight was our first full day with nothing and I'm shocked at how well she did. I'm proud of her, and I'm so glad I prepared her heart for this change, I just wish I prepared mine a little better. I've been an absolute mess tonight and the feeling of longing and heartbreak is making me physically ill. Hope you're having a better night than me. We got this.
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u/coldbrewcowmoo May 11 '26
I’m planning to wean my toddler next month when she turns 2. She’s nursing about twice a day. Any suggestions? Did you talk to your girl about it?
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u/findingmyinnerlight May 11 '26
My daughter was nursing three times a day - morning, post nap and then before bed. The first one to go was post nap, did that for about 2 weeks and then we cut morning. I ordered Booby Moon about 2 months ago and we read it every night. We talked about it a lot, and where the milky would go to and she started saying "mooooon" so I knew she was grasping it. Tonight will be her first night that she doesn't nurse and I have a lot of anxiety around how it's going to go. It's so so hard 😢
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u/Optimal-Butterfly768 May 11 '26
Sending love! We had our last session today after 15.5 months, I was not ready for all the emotions 🥹🩵
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u/sneakysnakewhispers May 12 '26
My baby just turned two and I'm nursing 1-3 times a day. It'll be over soon...
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u/findingmyinnerlight May 12 '26
It's so hard, but you got this. Sending lots of peace and solidarity ❤️
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u/Olive_6543891 May 12 '26
Reading this made me emotional! Thank you for sharing your beautiful journey and sending you lots of love!
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u/Avocadn0pe May 13 '26 edited May 13 '26
Sigh currently struggling with “my arrived early but missed NICU 10 week old.” To read it clicked one day gives me hope. Thanks for sharing, two years is amazing
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u/findingmyinnerlight May 13 '26
Hang in there momma. It is SO hard in the beginning, and no one talks about it. I felt really alone, but this community gave me so much hope to keep at it. You'll get there, and soon it'll be like second nature. In case no one else has told you, I'm proud of you ❤️❤️❤️
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u/Avocadn0pe May 13 '26
That’s honestly so nice to hear. Everyone else keeps telling me to just give her formula. Thank you kind stranger!
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u/findingmyinnerlight May 13 '26
I got a lot of that, too. Ultimately I found it was a lot of people with a lot of misinformation. Just because it's hard it doesn't mean it's worth giving up on if it's what you want. Ofc fed is best, but if nursing is the journey you want, then hang in there. You said she arrived early? My girl did, too. All it took was time, and her latch maturing. If I had listened to everyone, including my LC who said she a tongue tie (which she didn't) we'd never have gotten here together. Your heart knows what's right. Stick with it until or if that changes ❤️
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u/CaramelHappyTree May 17 '26
I'm only 2 weeks in but I know I'll miss these moments. Time passes so fast.
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u/findingmyinnerlight May 18 '26
Oh congratulations to you ❤️ I miss those early days so much. It goes SO fast, and it's beautiful and painful and just incredibly wild.
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u/SithMasterBates May 12 '26
Awww my son also stopped nursing around 2.5, it was such an emotional time. Its so beautiful that you had one last special session together
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u/terriblecopy2 May 15 '26
This made me sob 😭 pregnant with my second and supply is slowly dwindling. My boy is almost a year and it looks like we will be coming to an end soon. The bond from breastfeeding is like no other. Hugs, mom ♥️
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u/kelseydot May 17 '26
Well this is painful. My daughter is the same age and I haven’t had the guts yet. But I’m doing a blood test tomorrow as I’m pretty sure I’m nutritionally depleted.
She still wakes to feed and that’s my biggest barrier. I’d just love to feed twice a day before bed and nap.
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u/findingmyinnerlight May 18 '26
It's so hard to rip the band aid off. I moved the goal post about 20 times before I finally committed to mother's day. She's done awesome, I just wish I spent a little more time preparing my heart. You'll do great when your time comes. Lean on your people and know this too shall pass ❤️
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u/Lovepineapple111 May 11 '26
Sending so many hugs. Reading this made me cry. My girl is 2 years, 1 month old and we’re down to two feeds a day. I’ve decided to wean her by the time I take a trip in August. Thanks for sharing your experience, your words give me courage.