Well, I think our BFing journey is coming to an end.

We've made it to 8 months, and I nearly didn't make it to 4 days, so I'm very happy about that. The last month I have been having to give LO a bottle of formula at her bedtime feed (she was having EBM on occasion from 4.5 months) as my supply has gone down the drain, due to lack of sleep, being ill constantly for 2 months (cold, then chest infection but couldn't get to docs to get antibiotics as I will too ill to leave the house and husband wouldn't take any time off work until HE got it.. Funnily enough he was in bed for 5 days with antibiotics whereras I had it for 2-3 weeks and no treatment, I then got an ear infection, another cold, a water infection that didn't respond to antibiotics, plugged ducts - I've had mastitis before but thankfully didn't get it this time..) and IMMENSE stress from my marriage nearly breaking down followed by a death in the family, and ridiculous amounts of travelling recently (LOs christening 200 miles away, funeral approx 450 miles away, getting away from DH to be with family etc is another 200 miles away) and it's all caught up. I don't leak, even when feeding, I don't feel let-down, my boobs NEVER feel even partly full anymore (they're like potatoes in socks) and I can't even express one pathetic drop. I used to express and freeze, then I stopped being able to do that so at about 5-6 months instead of EBM she'd have formula, and only EBM occasionally from the freezer if I had it). I tried domperidone (buying over the counter) a couple of months ago to no avail, and I couldn't really afford it with the amount I was supposed to take (Doc wouldn't prescribe it).

I've been feeding LO in the morning only this past week, and giving her a bottle at night, and either an attempt at BF or a bottle in the afternoon if she wants it. She's fussy even at the morning feed now, clawing for more, and I just don't have it. But I've come to terms with it now It means I can stop wearing these (horrid) 28J nursing bras, and wear something UNDERWIRED. Hoepfully they'll stop dangling down by my waist now! I feel a little bit more womanly just wearing a pretty bra now, and in all honesty it is making a difference to my confidence as I rather dislike my giant out-of-proportion boobs, and they looked worse in a nursing bra. I'm also secretly glad that I can wear normal clothes now and not two tops in this heat..

So, yeah. I don't know if I'll feed her tomorrow morning or not, or just call it quits today now I've got to a milestone (that I never thought I'd reach). I'm presuming I'll need to move up to the medium-flow teat on the bottles now since she isn't feeding off me anymore?

So thanks breastfeeding, it's been great (when I finally got the hang of it, and supply issues aside!) and I will miss you. But thank you ladies for helping me get this far

xxxxxxx

Congrats on making it to 8 months!! Still a huge accomplishment!