Weaning My 11 Month Old Baby

Try and seek out help from a Lactation Consultant.

I don't know what your situation is... as you said it is creating problems for your entire family....

When you are engorged, nurse your baby. Or, express it into a bottle. You don't want the engorgement to build up... or it will hurt very much!

have you talked with your Doctor about what you can do? Do you eat well and healthily? Drink enough fluids? Or is it stress related that you are very depleted and losing weight?
Perhaps you need some iron? And when nursing, my OB/GYN ALWAYS emphasizes that you MUST STILL take your pre-natal vitamins. The body needs it. And for your breastmilk.

Weaning your baby... well is he sort of weaning himself? Or still very into nursing? MY concern, would be that if you are not having enough breastmilk... that he is ALSO not getting enough nourishment and nutrients....not to mention, possible dehydration. Unless he drinks other fluids.

Now, is your son still growing/gaining weight appropriately? MAKE sure... because (I don't know how long this has been going on for), but if he is NOT getting enough intake, via breastmilk, it can affect his development too, and not to mention... he won't be getting enough intake during 'growth spurts' and developmental needs. If he is really not getting enough intake a baby will be hungry. And per my Pediatrician, for the first year of life, breastmilk/formula is the PRIMARY source of nutrition for a baby... not solids. Not juice or water.
If you really cannot nurse any longer... talk to the Pediatrician as well...you may need to supplement with formula...and a bottle.

I would really seek professional help from your Doctor or Lactation Consultant or both. Really. You need support for this... someone who understands about lactation and nursing Moms. Don't beat yourself up over it...

All the best, take care,
Susan

I have a friend whose Thyroid overacts when she is breastfeeding. Maybe you should get your thyroid looked at? She has similar symptoms to you.

I just talked to my baby while trying to feed her the bottle. Very softly while praising her for doing so well taking the bottle. I just kept smiling at her and saying how well she was doing and good girl etc. I had to do it by myself because my husband wasn't around, but I suggest having someone else do it like your husband or parents or very good friend that your baby might know. It would be easier for baby. If you don't have anyone else, what I did was have her feed off me then put the bottle right next to my nipple and give it to her that way. I started one feeding at a time, and soon only did the am and pm feedings with me then last the am feedings because I enjoyed the am feeding most. Save the best for last for you. You deserve it! :) give baby lots of praise and talk to baby a lot during that time of bottle feeding so they know it is ok.

I'm not sure if I have enough information to specifically help you, but wanted you to know I feel for you and am here if you'd like to talk about it more. There may be other issues to look at than simply weaning your baby. Is nursing REALLY the reason for your lack of energy and weight loss? Or could it be something else? - not enough water, lack of certain nutrients, not enough sleep, stressful life situations?
If you do decide to wean, research how to do it properly, so you don't get too engorged and end up with a breast infection. Check out La Leche League's website - http://www.lli.org or specifically for CA http://www.llli.org/Web/California.html

I wish you the best!
~N.

I have felt the same way. I'm 5'11 and got down to 133lbs. I found if I tried to rest a bit more, I'm a compulsive exerciser, and ate more frequently it helped me feel better. I always felt worse the week of my period. Try to keep nursing, you've done great so far. Maybe keep a journal to see when you feel the worst. For me I needed more snacks and it helped my moods and energy levels.