Weaning from the breast not going well

[branwen]

I am reposting here since I am getting no replies on the solid food/weaning board.  Please help!
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Hi everyone!

My dd is soon to be 14 months and we have been slowly trying to wean since her first birthday.  I had hoped to be done by now and two weeks ago we got to one feed, but then she got a new tooth and didn't want to eat any solid food and so started getting REALLY fussy, tantrums and crying LOTS.  It was horrible, she didn't even want to play with her toys.  She would reach for me and crawl over to me and bury her face in my chest.  So clearly she wanted to nurse.  We went back to two feeds and now is she so much more happy!  She plays and can seem to manage the teething on her own more.

She takes a straw sippy and regular sippy cup just fine but when I have offered them with breastmilk she refused and actually cries.  She doesn't seem to like whole milk and I have tried giving her 1% with more success- no luck with soy or rice either   I still offer her whole milk every day, 3 times a day...with very limited success.

I'm not sure what to do?  I'm so frustrated.  I wouldn't have problem continuing but my dh and I really want to TTC soon and I am one of those women whose bodies seem to be saying "I'm busy right now."  I have had no signs of any sort of cycle returning.  Should I just go cold turkey on her?  I have done everything I can think to ease her transition but she has begun now to even ask for the "bebe" (boobie).

[Samuel's mum]

I really feel for your situation. I am still feeding Sam so I am probably the last person to offer you advice on this but here goes:
I'm not sure what your fertility situation is but a lot of people do conceive while breastfeeding. If you feel that is unlikely to happen with you then maybe stopping completely is a possibility. I think you've actually reached a very tough age. She's now aware she loves it and can ask for it but is too young to fully appreciate waiting or why it may not be available. She may drink whole milk happily but may still miss the emotional/comfort side of nursing. You could have a look at another site which specialises in nursing and will have a greater range of experience with later weaning. Try breastfeeding.com or the la Leche League mother-to-mother forum. Sorry I can't be more helpful.

[daisymelan]

Hi there,

I dont have much really to say except that I've been bfing now for 8 months and I still haven't gotten AF back.  Like you, dp and I are desperate to TTC again.  But in saying that, I'm waiting at least a year to perhaps wean to see if I can get AF back.  If you drop it down to one feed, will you get AF back again?

{{hugs}}

[Fife_Mum]

This might sound a little extreme, but how would she take it if you were 'unavailable' for her usual breastfeeding times? Go out for the evening, or for an early morning walk and have someone else offer milk (breastmilk or whole) in her favourite sippy. Also offer lots of extra cuddles and comfort whenever she want it. Does she have a comforter or favourite teddy? If so try 'wearing' it inside your top to get your smell on it or snuggle with it when you give her cuddles - she can have that when you are not there and learn to comfort herself too. To make it easier on you both I'd do this for the first feed you want to drop, then once that is gone, drop the last one. Also you might have to look at your routines - and work out alternatives for that snuggle time at each end of the day that distract her from breastfeeding.

The other thing is not to worry if she refuses any milk for a while - use water, yoghurts, cheese etc. and maybe try introducing soups before the next tooth arrives?

Good luck, and happy TTCing too 

Vicky