What was year 2 breastfeeding like for you?
What does nursing your 12-24 month old like? If you go to work, do you still pump? When did you shift to cow’s milk for weaning? Did you wean 18 months/24 months/still going? I am really just asking the question because I am not a fan of pumping and do it everyday and want to know when I can stop and leave it be (while still doing nap/night feeds).
I am closing in on one year of EBF (I think, at least no formula, but my LO nurses and takes from bottle while I work and we’ve been having solids since 5 months). I do pump most of my feeds as my LO prefers the bottle now (and Ive been working full time since 4 months), except for going down for naps/bedtime/middle of the night if I am around. Breastfeeding hasn’t been the wonderful journey i hoped, but I am proud to be able to give this gift to my child. I am proud I made it this far as this was the BIG goal. Each day, was another win since Day 1, but the long goal was try to get to a year, and then see.
Well now we are at “and then see”. I have a freezer stash that collects at the rate of maybe 10-12 oz a day. Im heading into hot summer field work days, which pumping in the field is awful as is, tack on 100 F+ heat and Im going to be rather miserable. This makes me want to stop soon… Right now LO is fortunately watched by my MIL during the work day, but we will transition my child to a daycare by 18 months (ish). I’ve read I should try to keep breastfeeding to provide antibodies for the onslaught of daycare illness. And general hope for more bonding in the evenings since thats really time my child stops moving and seems to maybe enjoy the close cuddles. Otherwise, get away mom, Ive got a world to see, give me a bottle.
Will I never be free of pumping during the day if I want to try to make it another year?