I have been slowing weaning my 18 month old from breastfeeding. She has been doing great! SO today is our first day of no feedings. I'm alittle nervous of what to expect as far as my body goes...since I weaned so slowly will I not have pain? or fullness? I need some advice or what did you all go through when you stopped nursing? I'm just curious what my boobs will be going through! haha!
Thanks everyone!
My first self weaned at 29 months...it had been bedtime only for a long time....you shouldn't experience any discomfort. My youngest is still nursing as well and I just spent 3 days away from him without pumping or anything and I was fine as well. You may have milk for a long time afterward cause your body got so used to making it, but at that age they aren't taking much anyway so there is no discomfort.
My daughter weaned at 18 months and I don't recall much if any discomfort. At the time I believe it was only before bed that she was still nursing as we had gradually cut back over time as you have. Good for you for staying with it this long! :O)
I'm not sure what I did wrong but I was sore for a couple of days with milk. I weaned my son at 13 months. Maybe I did it too soon. I nursed till he was 11 months and then just did night time feeds hoping it would ease my pain. Well good luck and if they are sore it will go away.
When I stopped at 12 months, we were only nursing 1-2 times per day. It took almost 3 days and then I was terribly engorged. I nursed one last time, and the milk didn't come back, at least not to the point where I had a problem. My daughter didn't seem to think it was weird to nurse 3 days after we "quit" and she didn't ever try to go back after we stopped. Good luck!
I stopped cold turkey when my daughter was 14 months and I felt just a little full sometimes, and slowly (it took months) my breasts dried up and got a little saggy. I never had any pain at all, but I also never got engorged or anything while I was breastfeeding. Good luck!
I too, stopped breastfeeding after slowly weaning down to 1-2 feedings/ day. I did get full eventually, but not as bad as in the beginning when engorgment occurs. Ice compresses help to suppress the milk supply and help relieve pain. Also wearing a tight-fitting sports bra helps to suppress production. If you get very uncomfortable you could express a small amount in the shower or pump a little to relieve some pressure. It won't be as bad as you think!
I stopped nursing my son at 18 months also and it sounds like I did it just like you did. I didn't have any discomfort at all. We had cut back to just once a day for a long time and then picked a day that we were going to be all done. You should be fine.
I did slow weaning for all three of my kids and did not experience pain or uncomfortable fullness. I weaned by cutting out a feeding each week, until there was none left. You will feel fullness but not like when your milk came in, or when the baby slept an hour past a feeding at the beginning. Great job nursing til 18 months--thats awesome!
