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

[anna*]

I'm in really two minds! It's our only 'every day' feed left because we stopped the bedtime feed as she was just messing about instead of nursing. So maybe it's time? She's 23 months.

[*Ali*]

Only you can decide if it's time I guess. What about don't offer and don't refuse and let her lead?

[C&B&E]

I'm just popping in for my bi-monthly "I want to wean her, but she's not having any of it  " post  !  She is SO upset if I refuse her when she asks me, I am still trying to distract her sometimes, and occasionally it works but most of the time it doesn't.  I really don't know what to do  .  She is still having two or three feeds a day. 

[anna*]

Same here Claire. Was coming to write the same post. Any time I suggest milk in a cup instead, she cries as if to say "WHY DON'T YOU LOVE ME ANYMORE!!!" I'm really ready to be done. 'Don't offer don't refuse' absolutely doesn't fly here. I never offer.

[C&B&E]

I wondered how you were doing Anna! Yep, I never offer either  !  I think because it is so much *not* about the milk, that I wonder if we need to come up with something that fills their need for closeness instead?  A cuddle doesn't do it for E, but I might try doing a dance or something  !  The other thing is that I'm wondering if it might be better for me to just quite cold turkey - it feels really cruel  , but I just wonder if she would find it hard for a couple of days and then be alright.  But, I have been telling myself that for 6 months and still not got round to doing it as I doubt myself. 

[anna*]

Yeh I think cold turkey is the only way for us. Will prob be a few days of tears. But I think she'll 'get it' if I say my boobies are broken, milk is all gone. As a last resort I expect she would go for cuddles with me with her 'guys' (loveys).

[C&B&E]

I tried talking to Ev about it tonight.  "We might need to stop having milk at bedtime soon Ev as mummies nipples aren't working very well anymore are they?" ( )....she took a long, thoughtful pause and said "......maybe you just have a big drink of water?" in a little hopeful voice!  So that went well 

[Fiver]

These LOs, huh?!  No good suggestions as mine both stopped of their own accords (earlier than yours now are)

[*Ali*]

Anna, could you tell her after her birthday that she is 2 now and doesn't need boobies anymore?

Colby is still feeding 1-2x a day. No sign of stopping although I would be happy if he did I think.

[becj86]

"We might need to stop having milk at bedtime soon Ev as mummies nipples aren't working very well anymore are they?" ( )....she took a long, thoughtful pause and said "......maybe you just have a big drink of water?" in a little hopeful voice!

LOL, yeah. L says "don't worry mummy, there'll be some more milk soon" ARGH!!

I'd be happy if L stopped too, he did have 4 days when he didn't want to BF but then went back to it with great gusto I think we'll have to stop soon, its driving me crazy

[anna*]

Well I think we may be starting to wean. This morning I told her my boobs are broken, there's no milk left, but I'll get her milk in a cup and give her a cuddle. She was pretty upset and whiny but then (mistake!) she saw the bottle in the 'baby things' drawer and started crying for a bottle. I figured at least it's not boob. She really wanted to lie cradled in my arms and drink the bottle so yes it is all about comfort for her. Not thrilled about her having a bottle each morning but I guess we could do that for a few days and then maybe get some kind of transition cup/'break' the teat of the bottle?

[Khalam's Mama]

Maybe put some baby teats on there so the flow is really slow so she gets fed up?

[anna*]

Hey good idea.

[anna*]

Welp after all my procrastination, I think we're probably finished. Three days without a BF now. Audrey's still having a half-hearted ask, but I think give it two more days and she'll stop mentioning it. She is extra cuddly, which is making me a bit sad and got a little bit upset this morning when we went mum and dads bed (we've been avoiding it and going straight downstairs) but she made do with cuddles and her lovey.

I feel teary and a little bit tender-boobed today, but I'm ready to be done.

[Fiver]

All normal. Similar hormonal slump to baby blues. Treat yourself to some secret chocolate and cuddle your little lady :-) Well done