The last few days my DS (14 mos old) hasn't seemed all that interested in nursing. He'll nurse for a few minutes then he's done and ready to run off and do more interesting things. I'm glad that I've been able to nurse this long, and it's fine if he's finished but I can't help but be a little sad that this may be the end of this stage. Hubby isn't giving me much sympathy, he's more than ready for my body to be completely back to being mine, or his, I guess :) I just need a little sympathy and to know that it's normal to be both happy and sad?
Totally normal. I was teary both times when mine weaned, especially the second one since I knew it was my last one. Mixed emotions of knowing one stage is already over, and yet excited to see the next wonderful baby stage.
It's completely normal.
My daughter self weaned much earlier. I wasn't exactly prepared for it, but she was. She was no worse for wear. She was just done.
My son had to be cut off cold turkey at 15 months because I had a hysterectomy and they gave me injections beforehand that could have harmed him if he nursed. It was hard at first, but by the time I came home from the hospital, he was over the boobie. My husband transitioned him to a bottle, and being afraid that milk would spoil over night, he put ice cubes in it. My son wouldn't take a bottle unless he could hear the bottle rattle. It perhaps wasn't the best transition at my son's age, but he did well with it and gave up the bottle fairly easily when it was time.
All babies are different.
I know that when I became engorged, I was begging my daughter to help me out and nurse, but nothing doing. She was done.
If they wean themselves, it does save you a long drawn out process of cutting down gradually.
I'm sure your son will be just fine and that's the main thing.
Best wishes.
very normal, both of mine lost interest at 9 months it was kind of sad but at the same time nice to have them back to normal lol. as soon as they didnt want the boob anymore they went straight to a cup, personally i think at a year there should be no bottle anymore(ofcourse breast feeding is still good)
I don't think your child is self weaning... toddlers will ebb and flow in their nursing habits - due to what you said "run off and do more interesting things". There will be times he will need you and the comfort of the breast MORE and others times less. The benefits of immediate calming (will help when tantrums start) and immune boosting antibodies never go out of need.
It's very normal to be both! My DD self weaned after I got pregnant with number two around her one year birthday. I was so sick that I was grateful she didn't want to nurse any more, but I remember feeling sad a few weeks prior thinking that it would come to an end.
Yes, it's normal to be both happy and sad. I nursed my son until he was 9 months old (his choice) and had to start weaning my daughter at 14 months old because she would still be nursing today at 7 years old if I didn't. It is a unique bonding process that most men and women just don't understand. I'm glad that I had the chance to do it and I am very close to my kids. I'm sure this is part of it. You'll be OK. There are so many more milestones to look forward to at that age. Next stop: Potty training!
You should be really proud that it worked out this way. You gave him a more than a TERRIFIC start and he's adapting to growing up and self weaning, showing maturity and security on his part :)
You will feel sort of empty (excuse the pun), but it is nice to get back to normal too. You will never, ever forget how great it feels to nurse your child!
