Surprising Revelation: Heather Rae El Moussa Opens Up About Son Tristan's Unexpected Shift from Breastfeeding

Heather Rae El Moussa (née Young)’s son, Tristan, is no longer breast-feeding — and the milestone is a shock to her system.

"8 1/2 months postpartum, my heart is filled with joy but also tinged with sadness as my little one no longer wants to nurse," El Moussa, aged 36, shared on Instagram on Wednesday, October 18. "This bittersweet moment weighs on my mama heart because breastfeeding became something I truly cherished as a new mother. The bond, skin-to-skin contact, and cuddles were precious to me, and honestly, it would have been difficult for me to decide to stop."

The star of Selling Sunset explained that her 8-month-old son gradually lost interest in breastfeeding over the past two weeks, ultimately making the decision for her.

"He would simply withdraw and blow bubbles, but he would still find pleasure in our morning feedings... until now," she revealed. "I don't want to impose on him, so I am placing my trust in the process, just as I have done from the very beginning."

El Moussa, who has Tristan with her husband Tarek El Moussa, mentioned that while she intends to continue presenting the opportunity for nursing, her son has become a lively and easily diverted individual during feeding moments.

Heather expressed her satisfaction with her evolving mother-son dynamic, especially in regards to her extended duration of breastfeeding. Surpassing her initial goals of 4 and 6 months, she proudly acknowledges her accomplishment with her beloved Tristan. At the beginning, breastfeeding was challenging for him due to difficulties associated with tongue, cheek, and lip ties. However, they persevered as a team. One of the primary causes of Tristan's struggles was his tongue-tie, also referred to as ankyloglossia, which limited his range of motion. Fortunately, in June, Tristan underwent successful surgery to address this issue.

After enduring numerous nights filled with tears and moments of immense stress, Heather shared on Wednesday that she and Tristan have finally found a sense of harmony. "Beginning with breast-feeding is incredibly challenging, and there were multiple instances where I questioned whether I was producing enough milk or if my child was receiving sufficient nourishment," she admitted. "However, when everything is said and done, I feel an immense sense of pride for both of us. I also want to express my admiration for all mothers, regardless of the duration of their breast-feeding journey or if they chose not to breast-feed at all. You are all exceptional individuals, and I sincerely hope you never experienced nor currently feel any sense of shame or judgment regarding your personal process."

Concluding her message, the star of Flipping El Moussas extended her love and strength to those mothers who are currently immersed in the demanding task of breast-feeding. "I want you to know that I am here for you because I have experienced every aspect of this journey myself," she penned.

Heather and Tarek, aged 42, got married in October 2021. Their first child, Tristan, was born in late January, and they have adjusted to parenting well. (Tarek also has a daughter named Taylor, aged 13, and a son named Brayden, aged 7, from his previous marriage to Christina Hall [née Haack].)

In an exclusive interview with We in June, Heather expressed her absolute passion for being a mother. She mentioned that although she had experience raising Taylor and Brayden, navigating the newborn stage and having a baby is a whole new experience.

Initially, their household was in a state of chaos. However, Heather has successfully adjusted to her family's circus. She enthusiastically expressed, "Everything has changed. I never anticipated becoming so utterly obsessed and infatuated with him." She went on to admit, "Of course, I knew I would love him, but this intense obsession and affection completely caught me off guard. It's a real struggle to separate from him even to simply run errands or go to the gym."