7 months.. can I wean?

I bf DS1 till 13 months, DS2 till about 4-5 months (started my first career), and DS3 is still bfing as well as formula during the work day (I stopped pumping about a month ago when my pump stopped working) and 2-3 baby food meals a day.  He's off the charts big (as big as an average 11 month old) and very healthy.  I just really want to wean him.  BFing is sweet and intimate but he's got a tooth now and he likes to chomp down on me.  I've tried a few things but quite frankly.. I just want to be done.  I want to go back on my meds for my arthritis for one thing and I just feel like he's gotten most of the benefits already.  Since he's eating so much already and doing formula during the day just fine.. am I going to rob him of some important benefits if I wean him now?  Will I be just a terrible mother if I don't make it to one year?  

 Help me with my mommy guilt!

I think you've done great!! I really believe what's best for mommy is best for baby. You've made it past 6 months which is excellent!! :) the guilt will be there no matter when you stop, but it will go away. :)

dollies n lollies:

am I going to rob him of some important benefits if I wean him now?

I'm not going to lie or coddle you... so honestly, yes, you will.  Breastmilk doesn't magically stop having benefits at a certain age. 

But don't worry, baby isn't going to suddenly explode from lack of breastmilk.  I EPed and had a low supply, so my baby had formula from the beginning quite a bit.  He's a happy little guy because mommy and daddy love the heck out of him - and that's way more important than how we fed him.

dollies n lollies:

Will I be just a terrible mother if I don't make it to one year?

  HELL NO, it won't make you a terrible mother.  How you feed your child does not define you as a parent.  Don't let anyone tell or make you feel you otherwise.

 
Even though the WHO recommends breastfeeding until age two, I stopped exclusively pumping at 1 year because I *needed* to for my own sanity.  I'm honestly really glad that I stopped. Instead of focusing on what I didn't do, I focus on what I did do for my baby.  7 months is great!  You should be proud of that.  If you really feel like it's time to be done, then be done.  Own your decision and screw the mommy guilt.  It's going to be there no matter when you stop.

 

I think you can stop guilt free.  You've done great!

 Thank you ladies!  I am still going.. I'm still bfing in the morning and after 5pm but he's eating so much solid food now my supply is going down slowly.  Still, he's getting some good stuff.  Maybe I'll make it to 9 months or so!

 Good job mama! I weaned my baby at 1 month, my boobs didn't work :(