What I Didn’t Expect to Miss About Breastfeeding

When Maya weaned her youngest, she thought she was totally ready. No more leaking through shirts. No more wardrobe decisions based on “Can I pull this down easily?” No more nursing gymnastics while trying to eat spaghetti with one hand. She was ready.

Or so she thought.

Maya knew she’d miss some things. The cuddles. The sleepy snuggles. The way breastfeeding could magically fix anything from a bumped knee to a grumpy mood. But she didn’t expect to miss the unexpected parts.

Like sitting still. For years, breastfeeding was her pause button. It was built into her day. Sometimes it was the only moment she got to catch her breath. It gave her a reason to stop multitasking and just be still with her child.

Or how it made her feel instantly helpful when nothing else was working. She didn’t always know how to stop a tantrum or what to do when the day fell apart, but she could offer her breast. That was something that always felt right.

She didn’t expect to miss being needed in that very specific, physical way. She also didn’t expect how much she’d long for the quiet connection, the way her baby would melt into her arms, and the world would quiet down, just for a moment.

Weaning is different for every family. For some, it’s a relief. For others, it’s bittersweet. Most of the time, it’s both. And while moving forward can feel right, it’s also completely okay to feel a little sad about what’s ending.

If you're weaning, thinking about weaning, or just wondering how it might feel when that time comes, come talk with us at a La Leche League meeting. You’ll find real stories, real support, and people who truly understand. We’ve been there too.