They recommend you breastfeed for at least a year... but Belle had other ideas. :) She likes to look around while she eats and um... that isn't exactly comfortable for me.
I talked to her pediatrician about it and she said that baby girls often self wean and that to try and pump as long as I can but otherwise if she's done... she's done.
I have mixed feelings about it. On one hand I worked darn hard to breast feed her. She had a horrible tongue thrust problem when she was born and we had to feed her with a little tube and syringe. Then we got her to take breast milk via a bottle. Then got her to feed with a shield and then finally got her to do so naturally. It was a long road but it was important to me for her health. It has also been a bonding experience with her. So part of me is sad to see that time between us go.
On the other hand... breastfeeding and pumping is exhausting. You can not miss a feeding or pumping. I've had to drink near-bear to keep my milk supply up (which taste horrid). I can't exercise because it cuts my milk supply. It is a lot of work! Work I am more then thrilled to do but I'd be lying to say that part of me will be glad not to be a dairy farm any more. It is an element of freedom I will be getting back.
So I'll pump as long as I can but then that'll be that. Pumping isn't the same as actual nursing so I'll probably be completely done within the month. I'm just glad I've been able to do this for Belle as long as I have.
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