trying to ween my 2 year old of the breast

Jessi - posted on 04/03/2011

everyone does things their own way. i have learned to smile and nod at those who tell me i'm wrong. personally, i think at 2yrs there is no "weening". your daughter has become accustomed to your bed and breast. the best way may just be having to cut her off (and yes, it will be h***). i am trying to get my son (who is also 2) out of the "i want" stage and it's a pain!

just remember, to take all advice with a smile and figure out what will work best for you and your daughter!

a little info about myself: i'm a sole-parent so i really have to figure out on my own what works best for my son and i. he started cereal at 2wks, whole milk at 6mos, off the nook & bottle at 9mos, and in a twin bed at 10mos. so many people told me i was "harming" my son but his doctor is impressed and told me to keep doing what i'm doing. the only thing that is "wrong" with my son is he has my sinus problems.

M - posted on 04/03/2011

2 of my kids nursed till almost 3years old and both have beautiful teeth, that isn't why that kid had messed up teeth. People shouldn't just post stuff unless they know for sure.

Betty - posted on 08/20/2010

My sister's little girl breast fed at night till she was almost three and her teeth got so messed up that 3 in the front had to be pulled by the time she was 5. It is so sad, my sister thought she was doing this wonderful thing for her daughter but it backfired. While weening just keep reminding yourself that it's for the best. You may want to go straight to a sippy cup with water in it.

Kathleen - posted on 08/20/2010

thankoyu to the people that have replied to my post i have heard of the cabbage leave thing before problem is i don not want to go around smelling like gabbage leaves all day thanks for your advice it has been very helpful

Tasha - posted on 08/17/2010

I breast feed both of my children until they were one. When I decided to wean them I just stoped it all at once and it only took a few restless nights and it was over. They didnt use bottles but they had sippy cups they had some milk right before bed then we brushed teeth and then down for the night. If she is two you may be able to explain to her that it is time for a big girl cup or something kids are smart and they understand alot.Good luck to you. And one more thing cabbage leaves help dry up milk you just put a whole leaf over each breast for about 4-5 days and It helps I dont know how it works but it does,thats what I done.

Sonya - posted on 08/15/2010

Unfortunatley there is no easy way. At two years of age she does not need breast or bottle at night and it sounds like a comfort thing, so I would suggest just stopping rather than trying to wean her to an overnight bottle that you then have to wean her off again.. Make sure you are ready to stop before you even try and if you wish to continue sleeping with her you will have to wear clothes that make it difficult for her to get to your breasts. There will be lots of tears and a few sleepless nights but with in a week ( if you don't give in) she will be over it. My first daughter was 18 months when I decided to stop the over night feed after about an hour of trying to get my breast she gave up and snuggled with Dad. I was her least favourite person for a few nights but she got over it. Good luck.

Sarh - posted on 08/15/2010

Try putting her to sleep in her own bed, then she will not have the easy access to nurse and she will not smell your milk. She has probably just grown too used to sleeping w/you and having that ease. That is one reason I don't sleep w/my children. Good luck.