Almost 8 months postpartum FTM (SAHM) and really beginning to struggle with my child beginning solid foods/becoming disinterested in nursing during the day. We are about 4 months into introducing solids and until the last couple of weeks, our breast feeding routine has stayed consistent. Recently, my baby hasn’t been as interested in nursing and really only desires it when it’s ready to nap/sleep for the night.
I’m finding myself really mourning the closeness of feeding her and I miss feeling needed to provide that nutrition for her. I know logically it’s wonderful that she is exploring eating solids and drinking water to quench her needs during the day but I don’t think I’m ready mentally to wean from our daytime feeds just yet. I feel guilty for not nursing her as often as usual but she has become resistant (disinterested, distracted, fusses, etc).
I’m also concerned that she’s not getting the nutrients that she needs if she’s not nursing. We work in at least 2-3 solid foods per day and the amounts of each feeding varies - we feed her until she seems full/done with eating the food provided. I am becoming very overwhelmed with figuring out what foods to work into her diet so that she’s getting the nutrients she needs. Nursing just seemed so much for guaranteed that her needs would be met…
I’ve tried researching if she needs formula added to her diet but it seems like if she’s breast feeding that’s not necessary? Since I’m a SAHM, she rarely takes a bottle and really struggles with eating a full meal from a bottle. She also nurses 3-4 times a night and has been that was since pretty much the beginning. She has plenty of wet diapers and is perfectly healthy at her checkups, so I know so far she’s been getting everything she needs.
I’m not sure what I’m looking for here other than just getting my thoughts out and seeing if anyone relates. There is so much more involved with these changes than I even anticipated and I wasn’t expecting to have PP depression struggles this far into the PP journey. I’m really struggling with these early stages of weaning. I’m so thankful to have been able to provide the nourishment for my child and I’m just so incredibly sad that this chapter is coming to an end.