How do I wean him completely?

Sarah M. · **How do I wean him completely?**

Well, I was thinking I wanted to breastfeed DS all the way till 18 months, but... I REALLY want to get pregnant again. I had two regular periods and then I skipped the next one and that would make me due for another one right now but I certainly don't feel it coming on. So I guess the nursing is still really messing with my cycle, even though I only nurse him once a day for ten minutes.

So how do you eliminate that last breastfeeding time? He still loves it and asks for it right while I'm putting his pajamas on because he knows that's what comes next in our bedtime routine. I tried skipping it one night a few weeks ago, and that didn't go over very well.

At this point, do I just need to let him cry it out a few nights, or is there any gentler way to get him off?

Then again, I say this like I'm soooo ready to be done, but part of me still really likes nursing him. I'm torn.

Sundowner2 · 05-30-2008, 05:39 PM

Weeeeell.. I'm not at that point yet, but since no one else has answered since I saw it last night, I'll post my thoughts.

First.. is it the milk he wants, or the cuddling? I'm guessing he loves the snugglng close to mommy,and just having momyall to himself in a warm, secure lovng environment. You said it was for 10 minutes, so maybe try doing it for 9 minutes a few nights, and that extra minute going for boobie free snuggling, maybe just talk or read a book. A few nights later, 8 minutes, with the 2 minutes of someing else that's still snuggling related, until you get him used to the other things where maybe just a few minutes of holding him before bed will do the trick.

bonnotsm9 · 05-30-2008, 06:37 PM

With some of mine they switched to a bottle. Others would not take a bottle at all, so we just went cold turkey. Cold turkey was much harder because they still liked to cuddle and that reminded them of nursing. But within two weeks every time the switch had been made and everyone was happy. Just takes time and is hard on mom, unfortunately.

bananabellesmom · 05-30-2008, 07:22 PM

when we were at that stage I went cold turkey, it was hard the first couple of days/nights but we replaced it with some extra cuddles, she was 22 months at that time.

I am suprised that you have not had regular periods, only nursing him for 10 minutes... just goes to show that every body is different!

desertmom · 05-30-2008, 07:36 PM

I am totally against the cry it out thing.

However, I had to stop due to medical tests. So I put large bandages/bandaids over them and told her they were broken. I let her have milk at bedtime instead in a sippy cup - I started w/warm milk, even put a little vanilla syrup (like for coffee) in it. She soon told ME she wanted cold, plain milk. I also let her touch them at night - it's been over 6 months and she still likes to look and touch them at night and when she's scared. Then, to get to sleep, I rub (she calls it tickle) her back as I read to her.

By the way, after I healed from the tests, I told her she could nurse again, but she said no, they were still broken. Well....OK, then...I'm free!!!!!

Hope some of this helps. I think she did whine softly at first, but I kept telling her I couldn't control it (I use that term for when she wants something to stay on TV, like a favorite show, but it's moving on, so she knows what it means), and that they were broken, which she knows from toys. I just cuddled her extra and let her kiss them, and let her have her sippy cup in bed. It was easy to stop the milk at bedtime later, as I switched to water....all in good time. Babysteps.

bananabellesmom · 05-30-2008, 07:47 PM

I just want to add that I too, am against the crying it out.... she was old enough that I could articulate to her what was going on, and although she did whine, she didn't have a down and out cry fest.

I was gonna say too, that you said you tried to stop a couple weeks ago, and I know that he had been sick, maybe that is why he did not like the idea of not nursing. now that he is better it may be worth another try!

desertmom · 05-30-2008, 08:25 PM

Yep..especailly if he was sick.

By the way, today, DD came up to me, wanted to see them, looked and said, "Ooh, mommy, they are so precious!.....And they match!" She's obsessed.

bananabellesmom · 05-31-2008, 09:01 AM

that is so sweet desertmom! my dd who is almost 4 wants a "drink" of sisters milk now and then... I have such a good let down I can just squirt it in her mouth from a foot away, she thinks it is hilarious!!! :-)

Sarah M. · 05-31-2008, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desertmom

Yep..especailly if he was sick.

By the way, today, DD came up to me, wanted to see them, looked and said, "Ooh, mommy, they are so precious!.....And they match!" She's obsessed.

Hehe, that is so funny!

KayleezMom · 05-31-2008, 08:05 PM

DD is 19 months and still nursing in the morning and maybe 2 minutes at night (she mostly touches them at night). My periods have been wacky, but it is becuase with nursing my cycle is a week longer. I found out Mother's Day I am pregnant (and I am looking forward to seeing how they calculate how far along I am.) I wanted to try to wean her, but I'm not over it yet and I am hoping my milk will change with the pregnancy so she will stop on her own. Could you ipicutre tandem feeding an infant and a 2 year old! It WON'T get that far

Good luck with deciding what to do. I would say just do what is comfortable for you and the baby and see how it works out. Could it be stress or pregnancy as to why you missed your period?