Has anyone weaned lately?

[laurack]

I kinda feel like I don't want to breast feed any more. I have gone through this "feeling" in the past though and then started to like it again so I'm not sure. At this point in time I just feel like I want to be done with it. I'm making a pro con list as follows

continuing to breast feed 

pros
- she gets breast milk (good for her)
- snuggles
- I get to see her in the morning before work
- easy to put to bed

cons
- feel like she may grow more attached to it as time passes and it will be harder to quit
- TTC, still no period
- planning to get pregnant would rather not bf AND deal with horrible all day nausea and exhaustion
- upcoming trip, would be better if she wasn't nursing as could more easily leave her with my mom or dad for bed and have time with hubby

ugh why is this so hard?!! she is 14 months and I never wanted to go this long but I feel so sad to think of what will be lost. But then I don't want to be breastfeeding and pregnant, I don't want to breast feed a two year old. I am so torn. 

I'm sure she'll be sad for like one day then totally fine but I'll be an emo mess. 

[sunshineluv]

I feel your pain...

I started to wean this weekend. I was out of town for two nights, so I tried to pump as little as possible (twice). But then I came home, and threw in the towel. I am not quite ready to stop. (And I am pregnant feeling the nausea and fatigue.)

But I only nurse twice a day, so it is simple, and I like that time together.

[fusion]

I did 2.5 weeks ago. So I guess I technically got a half a week of not being breastfeeding and/or pregnant. Ha! I did say I wouldn't put myself through that again. I think the fact that you want to get pregnant again fairly soon and haven't yet started your period would tilt me towards weaning. It may still take a few months for you to regulate and get pregnant (or it could happen before you start, but that is pretty rare). I still get some good snuggle time with my girl (and my boy, they don't instantly grow out of snuggles). She got used to it within a couple of days without any issues.

[shmoo]

We have basically weaned this past week. G was only nursing at night anyway and my supply has been super low. He is getting a molar and teething has always put him off nursing. He woke up in the middle of the night last night and nursed for a few minutes, but I think it was just for comfort, I doubt he actually got very much if any milk.

I am a little sad about it, but glad that it was a gradual process so I had time to adjust to it.

[jfh]

K has become a total boobaholic lately. I don't necessarily want to wean but I would be SO happy if we got down to 1-2x/day. Right now he can't even look in my general direction without grabbing a boob. I don't have advice but I can commiserate.

[raynes]

I'm considering it. But he still seems to into it in the mornings. And the MOTN. I want to night wean, but we're just so effing busy on the weekends, and I don't thing doing it through the week is a good plan. *sigh*

[bigapple]

Jun 24, 2013 8:08:52 GMT -5 jfh said:

K has become a total boobaholic lately. I don't necessarily want to wean but I would be SO happy if we got down to 1-2x/day. Right now he can't even look in my general direction without grabbing a boob. I don't have advice but I can commiserate.

Ugh, same here. C digs around in my top with both hands, and if he can't fish a breast out, he shoves my hand in there to do it.

I've always had supply issues and have no idea if I'm even making anything now, but I fought so hard to get breastfeeding to somewhat work that I'm hesitant to give up.

[joyhart02]

I think we are in the process. The only time she nurses during the day is on weekends and it is just before nap. Also, I nurse her at night during her wake ups.

I would like to stop soon since we will be going on a vacation, just my husband and I.

I don't think she gets much anyways.

[christidee]

We are down to just morning and night and I don't know where to go from here. I just had my second period after a 40 day cycle and I feel like BFing is going to interfere with ttc as well. I feel like our pros and cons lists are nearly identical. I'm pretty torn as well. I never thought I would go this long. My goal was just 12 months.

[formerlyllizzyb]

Signing in bc I can relate. Getting to morning and night was easy. I just don't know where to go from here. I know I've said it before, but I dread what will happen at 5 am when Graham can't nurse.

I will say it's super easy for me to leave him in regards to bfing. He acts like it's no big deal and will go back to sleep at 5 am for other people.

I definitely want to wean by August so I need to get the show on the road. July is almost here!

My tentative plan is to drop bedtime first.

[Deleted]

We are done as of 2 weeks ago. He was only nursing 2x/day - morning and night - since April. He dropped the morning session the first week of May. I wanted to be done by a trip we have planned in July, and realized I was offering before bed, he wasn't asking. So one day I didn't offer, he happily cuddled and read his book and went to bed.

I was sad, but I was also ready to be done. I think part of my sadness was due to guilt, which was especially ridiculous since he weaned himself. I was lucky in that regard - it would have been much more difficult for me if I had to cut him off. He has not asked since, and we still cuddle when he first wakes up and before bed.

[silverjm]

I quit about a month ago now (EP'ing). We still do bottles of milk at bedtime and MOTN.

A couple other things I'll add to your list.
I'm not hungry all the time anymore, and I'm not as stressed about eating and supply.
I feel much more alert and focused at work, I didn't realize what a fog I was living in.
I finally feel like my body is mine again, and sexy time is more satisfying now that I don't feel like the boobies are off limits.
I did gain a few pounds back, but I had lost a lot so I expected that.

[laurack]

thank you all so much for the input! I couldn't fall asleep last night thinking about it. Suddenly I just feel ready and it took me by surprise. Even one week ago I was like, no way, not ready. Thinking about it being over makes me a bit teary but thinking about continuing just doesn't feel "right" any more suddenly. So strange.

[Deleted]

We just weaned 3 weeks ago. I was really sad about it for 2 weeks, and now I feel really good. It is kind of like a weight was lifted off, I don't have to worry about leaving her places or DH putting her to bed.

And I started running and now that I weaned my boobs don't hurt when I run!

[rxbeth]

Madison self weaned about 6 weeks ago and I was so sad. It's going to be an emotional clusterfuck not matter what.

More pros for me was not needing to wear 2 sports bras every time I ran. Also, I don't have to be obsessed with my water intake anymore. Before I was obsessed with not having enough to drink. I ran 8.5 miles this morning and ended up drinking 48oz on the run but I was still so depleted but I wasn't too freak because I NEEDED TO MAKE MILK!!!!!!

[AndyCohen]

We're partially weaned. I nurse her in the morning and before bed and if she wakes up in the night and she gets an 8oz bottle of milk during the day. She doesn't get much when she nurses and I noticed in the evenings she was sucking a lot but not swallowing much. I was worried so for the past week we nurse before bed like usual, but then when she stops nursing I give her a bottle and she usually takes 2-3oz. She's still very snuggly and staring lovingly into my eyes while taking that night time bottle so I don't think you will lose the snuggles.

[spaghetticat]

I have been thinking about it as well. I have many of the same reasons as you. I can tell you though, it was nice when I had that God awful stomach bug. She threw up twice but that was it. She was not nearly as miserable as us. I don't know if it was BFing that did it, but I like to think so.

I honestly have no idea how to wean. Do other people give a bottle of milk before bed, or nothing at all?

[Deleted]

I'm feeling the same EXACT way! Except unfortunately I have my period... But I know you're feelings. Just in the last few days she's dropped her first morning session and I think we may be losing the afternoon session so that puts us at nap, bed and motn. I think I'm okay keeping bed a little while though

[Deleted]

Jun 24, 2013 11:40:20 GMT -5 spaghetticat said:

I have been thinking about it as well. I have many of the same reasons as you. I can tell you though, it was nice when I had that God awful stomach bug. She threw up twice but that was it. She was not nearly as miserable as us. I don't know if it was BFing that did it, but I like to think so.

I honestly have no idea how to wean. Do other people give a bottle of milk before bed, or nothing at all?

Some do bottles, some do nothing, especially if dinner is close to bedtime. I'll probably do nothing so I don't have another habit to break

[Deleted]

Jun 24, 2013 11:40:20 GMT -5 spaghetticat said:

I have been thinking about it as well. I have many of the same reasons as you. I can tell you though, it was nice when I had that God awful stomach bug. She threw up twice but that was it. She was not nearly as miserable as us. I don't know if it was BFing that did it, but I like to think so.

I honestly have no idea how to wean. Do other people give a bottle of milk before bed, or nothing at all?

I give a bottle before bed because I love the snuggles. It also has made it where she always STTN which is awesome.

[laurack]

I'm thinking no bottle for us. Twice recently hubby has put her to bed as I wasn't there and I told him to try not to give a bottle but if he had to it was fine. He had no issue getting her to sleep with no bottle.

If she were more like 12 months I'd wean to a bottle.. but it seems she's a bit old now and I worry that we'll NEVER get rid of the bottle then ha

[laurack]

Jun 24, 2013 11:38:43 GMT -5 @tambcat said:

Welll.. I am weaning her from the bottle, which I know is not exactly the same, but I still feel all bittersweet about it. She will happily snuggle with me and suck on her paci while I read her a book before bed. That was a surprise to me, and it is making the transition a little easier. We haven't had any problems with bedtime, but she keep signing for milk during the day, and it breaks my heart to see her swat away and fuss when I offer her milk in a straw cup. She will eventually take it, though. We started weaning Friday night, and last night she drank a cup of milk at dinner with no problems, so I think she's getting it.

I think it is similar anyway, if I were weaning TO a bottle I think i'd be less sad. But recently I tried to snuggle her with a sippy cup of warm cows milk thinking I could "trick" her and she was having none of it! lol

It's just with NO bottles and NO boobs she isn't a BABY ANYMORE!!! noooooo

[fusion]

No bottles here, I had a hell of a time weaning Jameson from them and we waited until he was older (had to switch him to them at 10 months because my milk dried up or I never would've started with them). Funny how much you learn on the older kid that you don't repeat the second time. She goes to sleep pretty quickly after dinner. Jameson has a sippy of water in bed with him (the most spill proof one we have).

[carawestt]

Nursing has gotten really uncomfortable recently and I've been trying "don't offer, don't refuse" but it's gotten us nowhere. He pulls down my shirt constantly and just helps himself. I really don't know how to wean when he obviously still wants/needs it.

[vidalia]

We're down to twice a day, first thing in the morning and right before bed. I'm not sure how to wean from those last two feedings either because I didn't do anything to get rid of the other feedings she just stopped nursing at other times of the day. I'm assuming she'll do the same when she's ready to drop the last two feedings? I don't know!

I feel like there is a lot of support when you begin nursing but not nearly as much for the end!

[formerlyllizzyb]

Jun 24, 2013 11:40:20 GMT -5 spaghetticat said:

I have been thinking about it as well. I have many of the same reasons as you. I can tell you though, it was nice when I had that God awful stomach bug. She threw up twice but that was it. She was not nearly as miserable as us. I don't know if it was BFing that did it, but I like to think so.

I honestly have no idea how to wean. Do other people give a bottle of milk before bed, or nothing at all?

Graham wouldn't eat or drink when he was sick and I was so glad we were still nursing bc at least I had that to give him. But I'm not going to nurse forever I'm case of illness, either...I didn't know it would be this hard!

[Deleted]

Jun 24, 2013 13:18:24 GMT -5 carawestt said:

Nursing has gotten really uncomfortable recently and I've been trying "don't offer, don't refuse" but it's gotten us nowhere. He pulls down my shirt constantly and just helps himself. I really don't know how to wean when he obviously still wants/needs it.

This is us. I am ready to wean but it's how he goes to sleep. Some days he won't ask except at nap but other days he asks every 20 mins.

[bean47]

We're down to once a day. Yesterday I told H I was ready to wean but I couldn't go through with it today and I cried a little when she nursed. I'm conflicted!

[bubbyboo]

We are down to just one feeding, in the morningd. I tried to cut it out a few wweks ago and it didn't work bc she was teething and going through a leap. Now that she seems to be back to normal I'm contemplating it again. This mroning she hardly nursed at all. I'm afraid ill miss it if I stop, and I also will miss having that option at 3am when she wakes up and nothing else works to get her back to sleep.

Sent from my T-Mobile myTouch Q

[laurack]

I put her to bed tonight with no boobies. I cried. She seemed fine. She cried a little but then I sang and patted her and she went to sleep in just a few minutes.

Waaaahhhh I am very sad, yet I feel like it is time.

I'm so sad though!