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Help! My toddler won't give up breastfeeding!

Michele - posted on 11/11/2008 ( 4 moms have responded )

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My 3 year old toddler is STILL breastfeeding and I am struggling to get him off! He is a completely normal, healthy child that drinks from a cup, eats with a fork and is probably quite intelligent for his age. No matter what I try or say, he won't hear of giving up his "Titty"! Short of shipping him off to his grandparents for a week or 2 - I'm all out of ideas! He attends play school and is fine without it there - but the minute we get home... Any mothers with some useful advice?

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Michele - posted on 11/11/2008

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Thanks for that - comforting to know I'm not alone or abnormal for that matter! I might just add to this that my 2nd child breastfed till the ripe old age of 4 and I DID ship him off to his grandparents for a holiday and when he got back it was all fine. However with my 3rd that option doesn't really go down too well at this stage! I have tried ignoring him and distracting him - I even tried putting aloe on my nipples! When he smelt that, he was not impressed but was happy to just "hold mommies titties". However, when it came to bedtime he literally had withdrawal symptoms - I'm not kidding! I couldn't handle seeing him squirm and wake up every half hour so I ended up just putting him back on the breast!

Maria - posted on 11/11/2008

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My daughter is 2 1/2 and wants to nurse more than ever! I don't really have any advice other than to tell you that you're not alone. She's just getting old enough that I can start to talk to her about it now. RIght now we're saying she's done at her birthday but we'll see how that goes. I really am tired of nursing her but I feel like I might regret it if we stop to prematurely. She still really needs it and I love how healthy she is because of it. I was away from her for a whole weekend. IT made no difference at all. They have pretty good memories and aren't just going to forget about the most important thing in their lives!

Amanda - posted on 11/11/2008

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Tough one Michele. I agree with Bryna...take it slow and make it a non-issue. If you make it a big deal then he will make it a big deal. Maybe you should "ignore" him while he is nursing and then go about your business. A child wanting to nurse is a blessing and I know how you feel, but be thankful he is healthy and congratulate yourself for being such a devoted breastfeeding mother (even if you don't enjoy it all of the time)! Be well...Amanda

Bryna - posted on 11/11/2008

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My daughter was in love with her "nummies" too. We only just recently stopped. I guarantee shipping him off will NOT wean him! We transferred slowly, I didn't offer, didn't refuse for a while, then I would gently distract, and not even mention the word "nummies" near her! Pretty soon we only nursed for big owies. After that we gently cuddled and kissed the "nummies" rather than nursing on them. It's slow, but it's a good idea to do things gently, since now they're forming memories and developing emotionally. What a good mom you are to nurse for so long! Remember, they won't nurse forever. I guarantee he won't go off to first grade still wanting to nurse! A friend of mine did "four no more" and had a weaning party. Very similar to a birthday party, complete with gifts and a cake and a celebration of her daughter "growing up". That transition seemed to work well, but she built her up to it slowly, reminding her that "four no more!" I hope this helps. Hang in there!

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