When Your Little One Chooses to Stop Breastfeeding

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Hey there, fellow parents! So, my little one, Mia, has officially decided she’s done with breastfeeding. I jokingly told her, “No one likes a quitter,” but she just gave me this look and marched off to her play mat, tossing her bird toy in my direction. It was the third night in a row, and honestly, I was a bit taken aback. After 32 years on this planet, I never thought I’d have a tiny human run away from my chest. Yep, my pride took a bit of a hit—I mean, they’re not perfect, but come on!

I always thought I’d be the one to determine when we’d stop the whole breastfeeding thing, but Mia clearly had other plans. If she’s ready, then I guess I am too. Seventeen months is a solid stretch! My initial reaction was, of course: FREEDOM!!! No more dependency! My body is my own again! I could finally enjoy a Saturday out without worrying about nursing schedules, shouting over my shoulder to my partner, “She’s your responsibility today! Good luck!” Goodbye to nursing tops and declining brunch invitations!

But just to clarify—when a baby decides they’re done breastfeeding, they’re usually done, right? Like, no going back? Just checking so I don’t get any surprises. Not that I’d miss it—I mean, I’m asking for a friend.

I typically don’t bring up the fact that we were still breastfeeding, because honestly, it shouldn’t matter how we feed our babies as long as they’re nourished. But when people do ask, I’d admit we were still going at it. Reactions ranged from “Wow, that’s impressive!” to the more judgmental “What’s wrong with you? When will you stop?” Well, she’s officially stopped!

I can’t say I’m upset about it. I mean, that would be ridiculous, right? I never had a concrete plan for how long we’d breastfeed, much to the chagrin of those who inquired. Initially, I thought I’d aim for six months—back when the idea of enduring that pain felt like a wild dream. But as I learned, those who breastfed longer were just doing what worked for them.

Funny enough, once I got past the initial discomfort, breastfeeding became easy. I almost got lazy about it! But now? I’m genuinely thrilled it’s over. Seventeen months is a long time to share your body with a tiny human. I should probably celebrate!

Yet, part of me wishes she could’ve given me a heads-up before our last nursing session. A little notice would’ve been nice—maybe even a tear or two for dramatic effect?

And let’s talk about pumping. I finally stashed my pump away about a year ago. Pumping just wasn’t my thing; it felt like a chore. I realized I was only pumping so others could experience feeding her—a nice gesture, sure, but also pretty ridiculous when nursing was so much easier. Once I stopped pumping, I felt like I was cheating. When people asked how I was still breastfeeding, I wanted to say, “How could I not?”

Giving it up has been a breeze! Mia hasn’t even shown signs of wanting to nurse again—no tantrums or tears. Lucky me! I should totally embrace this good fortune, right? She’s moving on without a hitch. What’s that? Me crying? No way! Just my mascara acting up, I swear!

As we’ve settled into our new routine of baths, bedtime stories, and sleep, I can see how much Mia is growing. Her decision to stop nursing is a sign of her independence, and I’m completely on board with that!

Oh, and by the way, I just found out I’m expecting again. I’ve heard that pregnancy can change the taste of breast milk, so maybe Mia sensed that and decided to quit. Either way, it’s her choice, and I’m totally okay with it—really, I am! (Don’t mind the occasional tear; it’s just my mascara acting up!)

So here we are, embracing our new life without breastfeeding. Change can be tough, but it’s also a chance to celebrate growth and independence.

In summary, my little one has chosen to stop breastfeeding after 17 months, and while I might be a little emotional, I’m ultimately excited for this new chapter. We’re finding our groove with a new bedtime routine, and I’m grateful for the journey we’ve had together.

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