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weaning my 18 month off the breast

Jennet - posted on 04/29/2010 ( 1 mom has responded )

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hi, i am having problems trying to get my bailey off the breast, i need to find a way to do it gently, not cold turkey, as it is his favourite thing in the world! :) has anyone got any suggestions, i can't use a pump have only ever been able to get 1 or 2 oz out after hours of work! my boy is eating a full and varied diet and drinks cows milk, but he just loves nursing. as much as i love it too, its time i started thinking about getting him off, so i can get back to work ( maybe even have the odd night out at the bingo!) he is down to 3 or 4 feeds a day, mainly morning, afternoon, to get him off for his nap and in the evening when he's getting ready for bed, he won't sleep at night unless he's had a nurse, so obviously i've never been able to leave him with anyone, even my husband. please help

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Marcy - posted on 04/29/2010

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Start by removing 1 feed per day for about 2 weeks. Unfortunately as they get older (I have a 3 1/2 yr old who still comfort nurses a few times per day) the times per day drop but they are the hardest to stop. I would pick 1 time and stick with it for a few weeks. Let's say when he wakes up in the morning or when its time for him to go down for a nap. Try and distract him as much as possible.....when my son was about that age we dropped from 5-6 times per day down to 3-4. When he was wanting to nurse and it was the specific time I was working on dropping I would just tell him "We aren't going to do that now but you could have big boy milk and a snack instead." For the first few days he was really mad but then he kind of got over it. If I am home I still nurse him down and do a morning wake up call as well. However, the balance of the day and when we are out I just tell him "We aren't doing that right now". I don;t like to say no so this to me is a gentle way of doing it.

The other thing is, go out. Honestly, its going to be tough for your hubby but he will figure it out. I have gone away on girls weekends and every once in awhile I go out at night. My thought process is that as much as I feel bad about not being there there are other options for him and he can work through it.

My hubby and I recently went to Hawaii for 5 days. he didn't ask for it once while I was gone...I think you would be surprised.

Good luck.

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