Weaning thread part 3... Come share experiences and offer support

[cath~]

I weaned DD2's last feed at the same age (2.5yrs).

I think your approach sounds good.  With the morning feed, I'm not sure what your morning routine is like (and your DD's temperament) but could you perhaps already be downstairs when she wakes up, so she can just come down (if your DH helps her get up, for example) and find you and have breakfast?

With BT, or either really, would she accept milk from a cup (possibly a little earlier)?  Could she get to choose a special new cup for milk?  Or what about a funky curly straw for drinking it?

I think if you manage to avoid BFing for a few days in a row, then you could just tell her it's run out after that (I think that's what I did, iirc...).  She may get a little upset, but you can still offer her a cuddle/story/milk from a cup etc.

[*Ali*]

Thanks ladies.

I did tell her it's hurting me and she says she'll be really careful, bless her. She still wants it though.

My DH leaves for work before we get up in the week and she's still in a cot and can't open her bedroom do so I have to go in and lift her out really.

I might try offering a little milk in a cup after stories. I'll just have to move brushing her teeth to afterwards as I do it before the bath at the moment.

[cath~]

I might try offering a little milk in a cup after stories. I'll just have to move brushing her teeth to afterwards as I do it before the bath at the moment.

I always wondered about this.  Is cows milk bad/worse for teeth than breastmilk?

[*Ali*]

Yes,  because breastmilk is delivered to the back of the mouth and doesn't pool. Also it contains lactoferrin which actually kills the bacteria that causes tooth decay. It's important to clean other foods off the teeth first though so they don't interact.
http://kellymom.com/ages/older-infant/tooth-decay/

[cath~]

that's so clever!

thanks Ali

[*Ali*]

Thought I'd update that we've fully weaned now. I think the next morning after I last posted she fed from both sides and commented on how there was no milk. I used that opportunity to tell her that she'd obviously drunk it all then. From then on at our usual morning and evening feeds I just reminded her that the milk was all gone so we'd have water in a cup and a cuddle instead. A couple of times she protested a little for a minute or so but she just accepted it really. After about 4 days she didn't mention it again. She's been more cuddly and is always kissing me and telling me I'm her best friend since which is really cute. I didn't go the route of milk in a cup as I didn't want to set up a bad habit really.

I haven't been engorged at all so I think the milk was nearly gone due to my pregnancy. I'm 20wks now. I did get a little leakage after a shower the other day though.

[becj86]

That sounds like its worked out well for you both then. Glad it wasn't too difficult / heart-wrenching for you xx

[cath~]

Pleased it went so smoothly Ali 🙂