Been breast feeding for two and a half years

I need someone who can relate/has been here. My baby. (Toddler) stopped nursing completely Friday night. It is now Monday night. My boobs are producing milk. I’m in pain cause he’s doing so so good with weaning. I don’t want to take a step back and just let him nurse to ease the pain. This morning I had to pump because I couldn’t take the pain anymore. (Knowing if I pump I’m not ever going to get my supply to go away) so what I’m needing I guess. Is to hear if it’s normal to go through this feeling of not wanting my supply to go just yet. To keep pumping just so I can make that little 5 ounces. Mix it with his milk. So he’s getting some of me still. I’m not ready to say bye to my supply. And I miss him nursing. But we’ve finally gotten to the point where he will fall asleep with just cuddles ): which is amazing. He’s sleeping better. Longer stretches. Going from 8+ wakes throughout the night to 1 maybe 2 wakes these past few nights. The weaning has had a positive impact on him in the long run. But me. It’s making me feel so sad. Like. I’m making this milk still. I want him to have it. I want to say bye and dry up. But the unwant is really over weighing the want right about now. I hope this makes sense. Cause I’m mentally struggling and could really use someone that has gone through this. Knows my feelings. And tell me something that helped them feel better about it.

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I feel this, I'm not stopping feeding my two year two month old yet but when it comes to an end I will write your post and feel sad too

Totally normal feelings! Maybe try just taking the edge off with a haaka (or similar style) rather than a full pump until you feel ready to stop but this should help ease your supply, and your hormones, a little more gently x

Unless doing it gradually, your hormones might be raging. It's normal to feel sad like the end of an era. Celebrate yourself and how amazing you've managed to breastfeed this long. I like the idea of giving him a little eg in mash potato or as a drink from a cup. I also paid for a breastmilk ring as a memory

Everyday your boobs will hurt less and less don’t pump for too long, just pump maybe 5 minutes only if it’s super painful. It’s normal to be engorged when you’re weaning. Mine were like rocks with vains. But each day it was less and less full.

@Racel I use a haaka pump to relive the engorgement a little. I was told this will help with the pain but not affect supply demand much. Engorgement is so uncomfortable x

With my first my boobs got very engorged so to release some milk I squeezed some out with my hands whilst I was having a shower each morning. It was enough to take the edge off but not a full pump to drain them to stop the milk from being produced. My second weaned differently so he gradually cut down, first in times in the day and then length which was far better so depending on whether you feel your able to maybe let your toddler have a little (literally 20 second) feed then remove them.

I can’t relate as I’m still BF my 20 month…. Buuuut I heard that putting cabbage leaves in your bra can help? Idk if this is fully true but I’ve seen some people swear that it helped with mastitis/engorgement/drying up supply.

Put cabbage on your breasts to help them dry. Pumping until your empty would increase the milk but pumping just to keep from hurting won’t necessarily make more milk. Also use ice packs to prevent being enforced. Whatever you pump definitely feel free to give it to him however you feel is best. And it’s normal to be sad about the end of your breastfeeding journey. It’s a beautiful bonding experience to breastfeed but you will find new ways to bond

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