Weening - Albuquerque,NM

Hi L.,
Don't worry. This was about the time we concieved our second child as well. Around 15 months I got pregnant again. My first child was such a nurser! She would nurse all day long. However, 3 mos. into the pregnancy either my milk changed or dried out. Something happened where she was not liking it as much. Made weaning a lot easier. I have heard this with a lot of other moms where the milk changed flavor or something. So she basically weaned in a couple of days because of it. Congrats. and good luck!

Hi L., Normally when a woman gets pregnant and she is still nursing, the toddler will ween itself when the milk starts to change back to colostrum. It tastes tainted. You can start giving her whole milk or 2% instead. Hope this helps.
B.

I became pregnant just before my son's 2nd birthday. He was still nursing to go to sleep at night and for naps. I thought he'd never want to stop but I didn't want to force him to go cold turkey. I continued to nurse him while pregnant (which my OB says cannot harm the new baby. I know people who nursed their entire pregnancy so don't worry) and gradually shortened the length of time I would allow him to nurse. At first he would cry when I'd stop him but only for a minute and then he'd fall asleep. I held him the whole time and he sleeps in our bed so I think that it was easier because he still had mommy right there even though. When I was about 6 months pregnant he fell asleep without nursing at all and he hasn't since. I still cuddle him to sleep so we don't miss the closeness.

You don't have to wean your older daughter. Maybe you can pump out some breast milk and give it to her in a bottle. Her brain is still developing and if you are able to give her breast milk, that is the best nutrition you can give her. Congratulations on your new baby!

Your milk does change, so your child will probably wean himself, but if not . . . I had a child that was very happy nursing. I took one feeding away (the ones she didn't care about as much every 3-4 days), then I started removing the more important ones & gave her more time in between those. For many people, the last one of the day is the last one to go, but for us it was the first feeding in the morning. For your family (with Dad working nights), you might find the last one to go might be a different one. And do it at a time where you can be consistent throughout the whole process (don't go on any vacations - we did that & she totally regressed) Good Luck & Congratulations!

One of the things to consider is that it is dangerous to nurse while your pregnt. My Ob told me it can cause you to miscarry another said it makes it easier to miscarry. When I weemed my son I would have my husband feed him because if they smell you they want your milk good luck and congrats.

Its harder the older they get! I breastfed my daughter for 20mos and never that she would stop! I usually choose a slow approach to weaning starting by limiting some day time feedings and gradually work till they are weaned. Now when you are pregnant breast feeding makes you even more exhausted so i would try to wean her sooner than later. I was pregnat when I was still breast feeding my first so my son got cut short a bit! He was 10mos when I finally got him weaned. good luck

My (then) toddler was nursing very happily when I became preggo with second.... HE weaned himself when I was 3 months along. Breast milk changes and turns back into colostrum after awhile and the child can taste the difference, usually resulting in a distaste for breastmilk.
I have a question for you, why not tantdam nurse? Your older will not want as much as baby, it would be a great experience for you and your children, a unique bond. I hope the best for you.