I need tips on how to stop breastfeeding!

[princessmom29]

I think it's because things WERE different back then. For one, the cow milk they drank/people drank as babies certainly didn't have all the hormones the stuff we have today has. There was even a story about organic milk companies not actually being organic (and no, I don't have a source, read about it a while ago, didn't care to save. I'm sure google would find it)
FTR- I AM a huge breastfeeding and child-led weaning advocate BUT I also drink cow's milk, as do my kids- even the still breastfeeding 2 yr old.
Also, the "cow's milk is for baby cows" thing is more about formulas being cow milk based and still said to be "as good" or "about as good" as breast milk. It's just a way to say that that's for baby cows and breast milk is for baby humans

Hey, I just wanted to remind you that not all formulas are cows milk based. I had to stop nursing way early for medical reasons, and my DD could not take cow's milk formulas. AWe tried soy and ended up on a corn based alternative.

 

[Reese]

I had to wean one of my DD's at 2 1/2 the others all self weaned. She was mainly nursing at nap time and bedtime. We went from three feedings to two in the next couple of days and than to one and finally none. During that time if she was very persisitant I would pump some milk into a cup for her and she could have that along with a snuggle and story on Mom's lap. Most times she would pass on the milk but stay for the story because it was more about the comfort.

 

[TammyLynn33]

Rluey..Good Luck I feel your pain..DD almost 3 just announced shes going to have mommy milk till 5..UGGGGHHH
Im like no 3 is too old your a big girl.....
Im subscribing to this thread..

 

[longing2Batdisney]

DS is currently 30 months.

We weaned the Thursday before Thanksgiving.

I had weaned him down to nap and bed time (like you for almost a year before). Everyone was on my case to start weaning him. I always nursed him in the living room rocking chair. So, I stopped rocking him (for a while -- started rocking again about three weeks ago). I would walk with him on my shoulder for nap time and walk or put in "Finding Nemo", "Peter Pan", or "Cars" and sway in front of the movie or put a pillow on the sofa and rub his back. At night because I did not nurse in bed I would lay in bed (had to wear night clothes that could not be lifted) and sing softly and rub his face or back. I did not try to replace his nursing with a cup, I felt he nursed for comfort not for nutrition. He now drinks a cup of milk before breakfast, after lunch, and after bath time -- his new routine -- not at nap or bed time, didn't want to introduce a cup in the sleep time mode for dental reasons (friends w/two yr old has cavities on front two teeth-dentist said from cup at bed time).

I think it was just as hard for me as for him. (Knowing his is my last baby.) I'm so happy we have been able to resume rocking .

I had tried to stop cold turkey before, but chaning the routine worked alot better for us both. Only problem that arose is most days he will not take a nap; but, will sit quiet and watch a movie--than go back about his buisness (playing, laughing, exploring).
Good Luck to both of you, I know it is as hard for you as him...

Now we need to potty train -- he started and now has NO interest no matter what I try

 

[pepperderr]

You've gotten a lot of replies so far and I haven't read them all, but I wanted to just add my experierience. With my first son, he learend "ally all" meant it was all gone. When he would be done eating his regular food or whatever else, we would say it's ally all and he would know there is none left. When it came time that I wanted to stop breastfeeding (I think he was about 18 months), I was scared and sad about how he would deal with it. I see so many kids scream and have such fits. I just kept cutting back...as in don't feed him as often or for as long and then I would say ally all. then the night I decided not to breastfeed him, I said it was ally all. He fussed for a few minutes but then was fine and didn't really seem to beg for it again. I was so relieved it was so easy. I hope you have the same good luck.

With my second son, he had a lot of health issues so it was a bit different. I breastfed but they made me eventually give him a bottle too which was a HUGE struggle becuase he didn't want it and I hated having to give it to him, but he was losing tons of weight every week. He ended up with a feeding tube which had nothing to do with the breastfeeding, but he stopped breastfeeding at about a year old. I was so not ready to give it up but he was sick and refused to eat so he kinda got out of the breastfeeding habit I guess and even when I tried to breastfeed him after that he wouldn't.

Good Luck!

PEPPERDERR

 

[eliewriter]

Hi, I read only one page but as a former nursing mom thought I'd offer my experience with this.

You sound like a kind and thoughtful mom. It's never easy to give up something that's been so special between you and your little one. For me, it was good to keep in mind it's also our jobs as parents to help our children become independent (as it's appropriate and as they show you they're ready).

My daughter was also reducing her nursing time to bedtime and for comfort, (when she was hurt, etc) when I thought she was ready to begin weaning. I was also pregnant and wanted her to be weaned soon enough so she wouldn't feel jealous of the baby nursing.

I started by cutting out every other night at bedtime and told her she could have her favorite sippy cup of water instead and that she could nurse tomorrow night.

She needed lots of reassurance at first that nursing wasn't (yet) gone for good. Then I went to skipping two bedtimes and pretty soon she was fine with just having her cup of water. I didn't mind a little juice during the day but didn't want the sugar on her teeth after brushing at night.

I can't recall for sure but I think the comfort nursing ended around the same time that the bedtime nursing did. And I think, like another mom mentioned, that I also eventually told her it was "all gone."

If you still need more help, you may wish to contact a LaLeche League group (depending on the group, some may try to talk you out of your decision but others will understand and be supportive). I wish you all the best and hope you enjoy the next stage of your child's life as much as this one!

 

[poegirl30]

I don't have any advice to offer, but I can empathize! My ds self-weaned when he was two (and a few months), and I honestly didn't think he would ever wean. The one thing that I think that helped him wean was DH became more involved in his bedtime routine, and after a few weeks of DH putting him to bed, he stopped cold turkey. I think he was just ready. Good luck!

 

[leblanat]

Hi OP,

I went to Disney just this last September. We went with our two oldest kids. Baby stayed at home with grandparents. She was 91/2 months. We were successful nursers and I loved it as she did. I pumped while away and everything. Wasn't I surprised when I came back to a baby that had weaned and would NOT accept the breast again. Now I know it makes sense. She was taking a bottle for 10 days, what did I expect? But I was surprised and very sad. She laughed at me for trying. Then got angry, pushed my breast away and cried. She was done. I still miss it and cry about it. I was not ready to be done when she is the last baby, the one who was most successful (DD was done at 6 weeks, fist child, 27 days early, my inexperience, DS was done at 3 months, Mastitis, poor advise from doctor), the one I planned on nursing until at least two.

So maybe don't rush.

Good luck.

 

[Miss LD]

I haven't read all the replies.
But, I weaned my son when he was 19 months. At the time he wasn't the least bit interested in milk either. My pediatrician recommended a couple of great things. First she said to try organic milk - not regular. The flavour is a little different and some kids digest it better. She suggested also just giving him vegetables that contained calcium. DS has always loved brocolli, so we made sure he had plenty. She actually gave me a list of calcium rich foods. He's never had a problem.
The only thing that really worked for us was just slowing down the nursing until we one day stopped cold turkey.
It was fine because we were both ready.

 

[mandynee22]

Hey, I just wanted to remind you that not all formulas are cows milk based. I had to stop nursing way early for medical reasons, and my DD could not take cow's milk formulas. AWe tried soy and ended up on a corn based alternative.

I know- so the "cow's milk is for" thing wouldn't even apply to those LOL
I think it's just that MOST formula is cow's milk based- although I see so many people lately saying their baby "can't" take dairy and they have them on soy...

 

[rluey29]

OP here...

Thank you guys for alot of great responses and even the almost "off-topic" ones, LOL.

Wanted to clear some things up. My DS never took a pacifier or a bottle. He just wouldn't have it. He has only ever taken the breast and a sippy cup. Even with sippy cups, they have to have a soft tip. So I have pretty much been the one feeding him all his life. When he rarely does drink milk, it's always organic and fat-free.

I went through several bouts of severe mastitis. When he was only 6 months old I had it so bad that one of my breasts completely quit producing milk and I have been feeding him only off of the other one the whole time since then. Yes, it's been weird and my clothes haven't fit right in awhile but I did it because i believe that it was the best thing for my child. Breastfeeding has actually kept him from getting dehydrated when he had pneumonia and after he had surgery once. He wouldn't take any other form of liquid so he would've been hospitalized without it.

We've been through some hard times and I have all the patience in the world. I want to help him ease through this transition gently. Neither one of his grandparents ever even offer to babysit, much less keep him overnight to help in this, and I've mentioned to hubby that it would be better if he put him to sleep at night but he pouts about it and says he'll cry the whole time so I've just quit asking. He's a good hubby but he just doesn't quite "understand" why I need his help.

I think changing the routine is probably our only option. It sounds like a good one though. Oh...and I'm totally "for" extended breastfeeding. I think it has great benefits for the child.

Thanks again!!!

 

[longing2Batdisney]

My DS would not drink milk until after he stopped nursing. But, he has been drinking the chocolate, strawberry, even the vanilla Pedisure (store brand) while nursing. I started halfing it with milk after we weaned he now drinks milk, although he perfers choc milk the best.

Good Luck!!

If ever you need extra support (sounds like you have a support system like mine), or just an ear you can pm anytime. Sounds like our DS's are about the same age.

 

[princessmom29]

I know- so the "cow's milk is for" thing wouldn't even apply to those LOL
I think it's just that MOST formula is cow's milk based- although I see so many people lately saying their baby "can't" take dairy and they have them on soy...

When I say can't take I mean literally she could not digest it. Projectile vomiting within 15 min of a feeding, or if that didn't happen she was in agony for thet ime it took to pass. She would literally clench her fists to white nuckles and bow up out of her seat or my arms and scream bloody murder for hours at 3 months. So she uite literally could not process cows milk based formula. She is fine with milk products now, and when I went to milk at 12 months from formula she never had a problem. Doc says it was not an allergy, just an immature digestive system that didn't like the particular proteins found in cows milk. For the next child down the line it could have been soy protein ect.

 

[mjmoon]

When I say can't take I mean literally she could not digest it. Projectile vomiting within 15 min of a feeding, or if that didn't happen she was in agony for thet ime it took to pass. She would literally clench her fists to white nuckles and bow up out of her seat or my arms and scream bloody murder for hours at 3 months. So she uite literally could not process cows milk based formula. She is fine with milk products now, and when I went to milk at 12 months from formula she never had a problem. Doc says it was not an allergy, just an immature digestive system that didn't like the particular proteins found in cows milk. For the next child down the line it could have been soy protein ect.

My youngest son had this problem. It was a nightmare! Even soy based formula was too hard on his system. The only formula he tolerated was Nutramigen(sic) which is a vegetable based formula that is processed already broken down to make digesting that much easier. It litterally broke the bank at $26.00 for a small can. At 6 months we were able to move on to soy but he couldn't stomach milk until he was about 2.

All kids are different. My first had no problems at all with formula. I did pump with both boys.. unfortunately not as long for my second as I did for my first.

 

[princessmom29]

My youngest son had this problem. It was a nightmare! Even soy based formula was too hard on his system. The only formula he tolerated was Nutramigen(sic) which is a vegetable based formula that is processed already broken down to make digesting that much easier. It litterally broke the bank at $26.00 for a small can. At 6 months we were able to move on to soy but he couldn't stomach milk until he was about 2.

All kids are different. My first had no problems at all with formula. I did pump with both boys.. unfortunately not as long for my second as I did for my first.

We eneded up on alimentium which is the pretty much the same thing, just a different name brand. It was really expensive, but I had no choice. My milk was simply not rich enouch to provide enough nutrition and she was losing weight. I had a hormone crash right after I had DD and because my levels were off for so long I stayed nauseous(sp?) and didn't keep eough food down to supply both her and me.