To wean or not to wean... that is the question!

Becca - posted on 07/15/2009 ( 5 moms have responded )

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I am still breastfeeding my little boy, who will be 15 months old next week. To speak honestly, I am exhausted and feel a little bit that it's time to wean him. I'd also, as selfish as it sounds, would quite like to go for a meal alone with my partner without having to eat at 9pm when I've fed him, but him to bed, got ready and got to the restaurant! However, I am so attached to feeding him and he has never refused the breast. I work 30 hours a week, and in a way I feel like that it is 'our time'. I've heard of self weaning, but don't know a great deal about it, and I have also heard of Mums who get to 18 months and just say enough is enough. I'm looking for advice from both sides really so I can make my own mind up. I love him so much, so please don't think bad of me, and it's not the social prejudice I have issues with. I do feed in public with no qualms what so ever!

My little boy has NEVER HAD A BOTTLE, by the way... so feeding him the milk in a bottle isn't really possible. During the day he has plain water, and some whole milk from a flask type bottle (with a straw). He doesn't really like whole milk. He doesn't have juice. He eats well, and loves all fruit, veg and fish. He's not big on meat, but loves a tender roast chicken ;o), mince beef and liver. I'm just trying to give you information about his diet really. He eats cheese, and yoghurt, and has porridge or museli from the plum range for his breakfasts. He also eats granary bread and doesn't eat a lot of white bread.

Thankyou so much. I'm so stuck on what to do! Becca x

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5 Comments

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Avril - posted on 07/18/2009

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Dont feel bad i did my daughter til she was 12mths and she was ready too, it seemed more of a comfort thing more than a need and it is exhausting. U may find your little one is ready!

Lynlee - posted on 07/16/2009

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I fed our son until he was two. He then self-weaned. Could you pump out some milk and put it in a sippy cup for him so that the baby sitter could feed while you are out? Even if he refuses to drink, at his age, I don't think it would hurt him to go without one feed on the odd occasion. You could always feed him when you get home if he wakes up hungry?

Etta - posted on 07/16/2009

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Do what you feel is right. He is definitely old enough to take a sippy cup and that should give you some leeway to go out for a date night. And it's ok to reduce the number of feedings if you want to continue nursing part-time. It doesn't have to be all or nothing.
Cutting out one feeding every week or two or so (depending on the child) is also the smart way to wean. If you do it slowly, you won't feel engorged.

Rhonda - posted on 07/16/2009

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u need 2 let him wean him self. so wat if he is 6 or 7 and still on da boob. all my kids still like dad boob so i let em all drink of me. brests r 4 da milken and not da man so let da bub have da fill until he no want n e more

Melissa - posted on 07/16/2009

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It sounds like you've done a great job so far. Many moms get to the point where they're ready to wean, even if the baby hasn't started to self-wean yet. Your baby has clearly received the benefits of breastmilk, so it is not selfish of you to want to wean now because you're exhausted. Give yourself a pat on the back for making it this far! As for your son taking milk from a bottle, there is no need to even transition to a bottle. He should be able to use a sippy cup. You might have to reintroduce whole milk several times for him to like it, but he'll need it for the calcium.



This is a decision for you to make, but you don't need to feel selfish! Good luck!