Gentle Weaning Tips

Mon Mar 11, 2013 11:37 pm

Wondering if anyone has some gentle weaning tips for me and my 17mo old. I love nursing him, don't get me wrong. I just feel like I'm done. He seems to mainly nurse for comfort from what I can tell. We start on the same side and at bedtime especially he's eager to switch sides to get comfy and settle in. I won't let him CIO over it or be too upset though, it's not worth it if he's not even a little ready. I was just wondering if there are any gentle nudges I could try to get is in that direction. We have also been trying to have another baby and even though my cycles are regular now it's not happening as quickly as the first 2 did. (I'm not totally blaming breastfeeding, just would sort of like a pause between one and the other if that makes any sense). TIA!!

Wed Mar 13, 2013 10:29 am

Do you think he would be OK with just some snuggle time and a story? Try cutting out one session each day maybe? Or every couple of days. With my first she was 18 months. I just rocked her instead of nursing, she had a pacifier so I would just keep trying that when she would get agrivated about not nursing. It only took 2 days and she was done with nursing. I think it was so easy for us because we were both ready to be done. She hardly nursed at all anymore. You could try a sippy of milk as well. Good luck, with weaning and TTC.

~Natalie~ Co-Leader of Breastfeeding Zone-email- ctcmsmombzhost @ gmail. com

Fri Mar 15, 2013 7:15 am

I agree with the suggestions. Here's kellymom's info.

http://kellymom.com/ages/weaning/wean-how/weaning-techniques/

I started with the don't-offer/don't refuse method and he slowly started dropping nursing sessions. The first nursing of the day was his last one to drop.

I know some moms have had really good success with limiting the nursing time to the length of one song or counting slowly.

I hope it goes smoothly for you. You've done an awesome job! Didn't you have a lot of struggles in the very beginning? Big kuddos to you! Let me know when you've weaned and I will send you the link to the certificate!!

Co-host: Breastfeeding Support
mkjright @ g mail.com
We happily nursed for 26 months

Sun Mar 17, 2013 2:10 pm

I think we're on to something! He hasn't nursed since naptime on Thurs. He's not super thrilled with just sitting and snuggling but we sing songs and it distracts him long enough to settle down and be ready for bedtime. So we made it 17months I'll say (today he's 17mo old) and I'm super happy about that. Thanks for your suggestions and support!!

Karen, yes I had a few struggles with this little guy. He wasn't eating enough at one point and I was trying to add in feedings, increase my supply. But we got over that hump and have been super successful since then!

Mon Mar 18, 2013 7:05 am

Glad to hear it's going smoothly! Here's your certificate when you are ready...
http://milkmonkeezmom-ivil.tripod.com/id13.html

Co-host: Breastfeeding Support
mkjright @ g mail.com
We happily nursed for 26 months

Mon Mar 18, 2013 11:55 am

That is so great. Congrats on making it so far!! And thanks for the update!

~Natalie~ Co-Leader of Breastfeeding Zone-email- ctcmsmombzhost @ gmail. com

Sat Apr 13, 2013 12:14 am

So yeah, stopped BFing the day AF started last month and got a BFP 28 days later. Apparently my body didn't want to do both! Thanks for your support ladies

Sat Apr 13, 2013 6:40 am

Congrats!!!!

Co-host: Breastfeeding Support
mkjright @ g mail.com
We happily nursed for 26 months

Tue Apr 16, 2013 10:23 am

WOW! Congrats!!!

~Natalie~ Co-Leader of Breastfeeding Zone-email- ctcmsmombzhost @ gmail. com