I think DS may be weaning - he is almost 13 months old. He now only nurses from 1 side in the morning and right before bed. Is that normal to wean from one side first?
Do I just wait until he completed refuses to nurse? Some days I wouldn't mind being done, but other days I worry that's the wrong choice and I should wait until he's ready to be done. Does it get harder to wean the older they are? I think I could probably wean him now if I tried, but I have so many conflicting feelings. How did you know it was time to wean?
How hard it is comes and goes. I knew it was time to wean because nursing a 3 year old was just too much, even for me. You can try "don't offer, don't refuse" and see if he asks (change the routine a bit and offer milk in a cup instead). It's really up to you if you want to keep going or not.
Post by redpenmama on Jan 14, 2015 14:13:19 GMT -5
You could probably gently nudge him to wean at this point if he's down to one nursing session. Distracting him with a snack or cup of milk or activity at the time when he usually nurses might be enough to wean him.
I weaned DD at 18 m because we wanted to TTC, and I hadn't gotten a period. So, that was my motivation to wean her then. She was still very dependent on nursing at that point, and I anticipated a very difficult time. We had four very bad nights (she was still nursing to sleep and MOTN), and then she STTN for the first time ever and never really looked back. So, they are resilient and the weaning is probably harder on us than them.
So, I would go with your gut. He won't be traumatized if you wean, but if you're happy to nurse him 2x a day from the one side, then there's no reason to stop, either. You've done an awesome job, so there's no wrong decision -- just whatever seems most comfortable and desirable for you at this point. Your LO will quickly adapt!
Bas weaned on one side first and I cut him off at that point because I figured it was a good time. He was also almost 13 months and it seemed like a good time to take advantage of his apparent disinterest in nursing.
That's how I feel, but on the other hand I am like well he barely gets sick and he's still receiving nursing benefits so shouldn't I continue? Idk
Post by winemaker06 on Jan 14, 2015 19:00:21 GMT -5
Right there with you! I was willing to do morning and night, but at 11.5 months, DS is cutting every session short. I don't know how to know for sure if he's done or just being difficult. Are you feeling lopsided or uncomfortable? If not, it probably all just depends on what you really want to do. Embrace the freedom to wear normal bras again! ;-)
Right there with you! I was willing to do morning and night, but at 11.5 months, DS is cutting every session short. I don't know how to know for sure if he's done or just being difficult. Are you feeling lopsided or uncomfortable? If not, it probably all just depends on what you really want to do. Embrace the freedom to wear normal bras again! ;-)
Nope, the side he weaned off of was never a big producer so I don't even feel letdown when he nurses on the other side. My cup size has yet to go down though, but my nursing bras have seen better days. It's a sad state of affairs.
I don't really have any advice but I wanted to offer weaning support. We are currently weaning (down to before naps & before bed) and even though I want to wean him I have ALL THE FEELS about it.
Yeah, it's totally an emotional process. I just feel like he's growing up too quickly sometimes