How to Wean??? - Essex Junction,VT

Are you going overseas without her? That's the only reason I would say you would have to wean. Yes like that others have said she's old enough talk about it. But if you are leaving her I would not just all of a sudden do it when you leave because even though she dosn't expect it from her dad when you are not there she might not understand that you may not have any milk when you get back like she's used to.

I would definitely wean her gradually before you leave. If you don't do that and quit cold turkey when you leave the engorgement is not going to be fun at all! I don't have the best tips on how, other than offering a sippy cup instead or distracting with something else. Good luck!

Sounds like you are not taking her with you on your trip, correct? I would do gradual. My sis left me with her baby when she went to the Philippines, she had him quit cold turkey and it was really hard on him and me. He was a year younger, so it might be different. But anything you can ease out of or into with babies is a nicer way to go. I ween by starting with the one that is least important to them. The one that most often gets pushed aside if it has to. Maybe the night time one since she has done that one before. Or you said the am one would be easy too. Then start something to do instead of nursing and replace that time with that. Like reading or singing or massage. Anything that will help her feel loved and relaxed. Once she has gone a few days to a week with out nursing at that particular feeding time, then pick the next feed to drop. And do the same thing. For the middle of the night, I have used a water bottle in their bed. Sometimes they get so thirsty at night and wake just for that. So when you drop that feeding, if she wakes up at night, snuggle her and offer water and then put her back to bed. When you do the morning feeding, just figure out her favorite breakfast food and when you get her up, at the point where you would normaly nurse her, just whisk her away excitedly to her favorite food and off you go...
Good luck and I hope your trip is fun!

As Patricia said your little one understands at age 2 - tell her it's time but that you just love cuddling and ask if it's OK if you two can still cuddle while she has a bottle? No doubt she'll agree. ;o)

Keep in mind overseas everyone nurses their babies - sometimes until they go to school! Once you leave the US people are not even intrigued - it's so much NOT a big deal. ;o)

She is old enough to talk to, so you can let her know that your milk is going away as she gets older. Mama milk is for babies, and as the baby gets bigger the milk amoutn gets smaller. Offer to cuddle instead. Cut one at a time.

ADD: Here's a funny story to show that they get it. When my son was 5 (we nursed till 2.5) and I was doing something where I leaned over him - his face was near my breast and he made an open-mouth face (like OHH FOOD) - he was kidding, cause he had a funny face on, like "look at me" - and said "mommy milk is for babies". Yep, it is! LOL - they remember, it's kinda cute.

I did it by reading instead. We cuddled and read till he almost could not keep his eye opened. If he ask I said no, no more, all gone. That was it after about three weeks. Don't do it suddenly. You will feel too guilty.

I forgot to mention the fact that I'll be going overseas without her for work.

Start with taking away one nursing. Then two then three. She should be weaned before the fall. If she is not, she will survive.

She is two, she will understand if you simply tell her it is time for her to get milk from a cup. I would cut out night feeding for sure, she needs to learn to comfort in other ways.