Breastfeeding Is Hard to Stop!

Updated on January 09, 2009
R.E. asks from Burbank, CA
3 answers

Hi Moms! I have a 14 month old sweetie who is very enamored with nursing. I've gotten us down to one nursing a day right after he wakes up. It's not very long at all. If it were up to me, I'd probably continue until he weaned himself, but I need to take a few medications that are not recommended for taking while breastfeeding. I've taken alternatives for now that are "safer", but it would really be better for me to not breastfeed to not expose him at all. He's had a great 14 months and it seems like it's time. Any suggestions on how to do it? It's been really hard to say no and I end up just giving in.

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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

Well if you must begin your medications, and you cannot wait, then wean him.
Afterall, he is only "nursing" once a day... so that is pretty much almost there.

Just try and distract him. For me, when my daughter was almost at the end of weaning... I would just make myself "busy" and would stand up when she tugged at me.. and then kept myself "busy" and then told her "not now.." or something like that. Then, the child gets distracted and focused on something else. My daughter and my son was self-weaned. Each child is different...

Is it really your son who is wanting to nurse upon waking... or you who initiates it? If he does not ask...then don't do it. And he will probably be fine. Go according to his lead in this case. ie: If he doesn't ask, then don't offer.

And, he doesn't even nurse very long at this point, anyway. So, he's probably able to stop. It's just a "habit" he does upon waking...
so maybe, do something else upon waking... get up, and do another activity. Or just cuddle.

You are almost there... one time a day is hardly anything. But, yes, weaning is bittersweet for the Mom. I understand and went through that with both my children.

all the best,
Susan

2 moms found this helpful
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F.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

R.,

I know it's hard. My 22 month old (yes, he's almost 2 years old) is on a night-time only breastfeeding. We're moving incrementally. This week, we have moved into a one night yes, one night no breastfeeding. Next week, it will be once every three days, then once a week, etc.

You may be in a time crunch, so I suggest an increment change every 2 days along with a verbal explanation and NO GIVING IN. This confuses your child.

Also, just as they are saying goodbye to breastfeeding, you need to say goodbye to that time as well.

Best of luck,
F.

1 mom found this helpful
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D.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

When I was ready to stop the last early morning session with one of mine, I went about to completely change the routine. It took about 6 weeks to get it to stick with the first two weeks being very difficult and feeling rather impossible a few days.

So if there is something drastic but yet fun you can do, I'd try it. For us it was getting up and dressed and then out for a walk to the gas station (the only place open at 5am that was walking distance). Course in the morning you could do a donut shop or starbucks... anything that would change the routine. As he gets used to the idea, try doing hot cocoa in the house when he wakes.

Its hard, but for us we had the new routine down in two weeks and my newly wean nursling was waking me up to go out instead of climbing into bed for that morning session.

Best of luck.

1 mom found this helpful
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