Weaning tip that worked for me!

[mamaprincess]

As any mom who has ever nursed knows, the longer they nurse the harder it is to wean. I had been dreading the process of weaning my youngest and so worried about the sleepless nights and screamin and emotional trauma on both of us that I nursed pass the time that I had set to wean. She was just to attached. I was her human pacifier.

Anyway I was so warn out and over it. One morning out of desperation, I decided to try something. I detached her from me and went and got the poly-vi-sol vitamin drops that she hates so much that if you put in in food and juice she will throw them on the floor. I applied some to the appropriate areas and went to sit down next to her as usual. She immediately goes into her usual routine of puling at my shirt. One taste of it and she wham, slaps me and hollers yuck. She tried the other side and slaps me again and yells yuck she then climbs down and asks for a snack.

This was the most attached most dedicated nurser in history and just like that it is over. She hasn't nursed since. No crying, no tantrums. I suppose it just isn't worth the battle to her if the award is Poly-vi-sol.

Hope this helps someone. I know how brutal weaning can be. The twins cried and cried and it was so traumatic for us. I wish I would've been more clever. The great thing about this is that I wasn't taking something away from her that she had all her little life, she made the decision so there was no agony involved at all.

 

[3DisneyBuggs]

I always weaned a little bit at a time. This way it was better for the baby and for my breasts. I weaned my son 2 months ago because he was a biter. The pain was really getting bad. Everyday I just reduced the number of nursings he got and increased the bottle. This way I didn't worry about becoming engorged. Weaning all three of my kids actually went smoothly.

 

[AngieWin]

DS1 weaned himself gradually as well. Mamaprincess, I am glad your technique worked for you, but I don't think that would have worked for us.

I think my DS2 is on his way to becoming a 2 year nursling as well!!

 

[OceanAnnie]

That is hilarious and clever! Good for you and her!

 

[Diz-Mommy]

Clever idea! My son hates vitamin drops too. We are in the process of weaning too, because our goal was to be done by one, and well...I'M PREGNANT and getting to sore to nurse

We are just doing a little at a time too. He has whole milk for breakfast and lunch and I have gotten away with taking one "nursey" time away this week. I will be interested when we go down to two next week and so on.

I just hope he dosn't remember this when our new baby comes and wants to nurse then too. I've heard of this happening...

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

we had difficulty weaning...we decided her 3rd birthday would be the day. Several weeks--we discussed how when she was 3, she'd be a big girl and no more nursing.

I was ready for heck. And when her birthday came along---a couple of fusses...then I reminded her it was her birthday and she was having her party and that she was a big girl! Worked like a charm . 3 weeks later...and she hasn't really been bothered by it! YEAH!

 

[DisneyPhD]

Talk about souring the milk! Glad it worked for you. I have never been a cut the baby off while they cry for more mama. I just can't do that. DD nursed until she was 27 months old. Since about 18 months it was only at morning or night, the rule was she had to have her PJ's on. It worked well. After that she did less and less until I just ran out of milk. She would nurse for just a few seconds and I asked if she got any milk. She would say "no milk" so after when she asked I would reminder her. Once she wanted to be sure, but after that it was done. Much less work and bother then I worried about, and no engorgment at all on my part.

While now DD#2 is 15 months old and we plan to nurse for a while now (at least the winter, but less if she wants to stop sooner.) However now that she can ask for it (with sign lanuage) she wants to more. I normally give her other food 1st if it isn't the time for it. I plan to do the same thing, less and less until I just run out. (she has a food allergy to milk and eggs so nursing is a good thing for her since her diet is limited.)

Tonight we were wachting a movie (my brother and his kids with my family) and the baby bugged me for an hour to nurse. Finally I took her up to her room, did she want to nurse before bed? No she wanted books. After reading a few I put her to bed with books and that was it. I guess maybe we will go that way? You just never know.

Glad that worked for you. I will have to keep it in mind if I get desprete enough, but for now I will just keep going.

Diz-Mommy, I hear that older baby's don't like the taste of newborns milk so it might not be a problem. I know a women who nursed her 1st until the day her second came home from the hosptial. She tried it and said yuck. Never asked again.

 

[GEM]

Glad you found something that worked for you! I've heard of others doing similar things.

Personally, I can't comment on weaning at all. I have a 2 1/2 year old who is a VERY dedicated nurser and I've just decided to let him give it up when he's ready.

Best to your and your little one!!

 

[bear74]

glad it worked for you. I weaned my DD at 21 months. she was just nursing at nap time and bed time. she started playing with the nipples that was when I decided it was time. we had some crying that night and the next but that was it.

 

[PaulaSue]

Interesting way to do it.

I child-lead weaned and my middle DD went cold tukey at 14 months, OUCH. Hope you don't get the engorgement I did. I didn't wear a bra for almost 2 weeks.

Doesn't it feel good to have your body back. I spent over twice the time nursing as I was preggo.

 

[DisneyPhD]

Interesting way to do it.

I child-lead weaned and my middle DD went cold tukey at 14 months, OUCH. Hope you don't get the engorgement I did. I didn't wear a bra for almost 2 weeks.

Doesn't it feel good to have your body back. I spent over twice the time nursing as I was preggo.

Mine was 3 times.

More recenlty I have had to give up milk and eggs to contiune to nurse, but it has only been for a little over 3 months. In the big sceem of things that isn't really too bad, since I has morning sickness for much longer then that! I ended up givng up much more then milk and eggs then!

Weening can be hard, not only for the child. Really when you have a child who was breast feed that is something you have ALWAYS done with this child. They may be becoming a less and less of a baby, but for a few min every day they still are you little baby. It was hard to give that up for me, but I found with the 1st one, you get past it and move on. Your parent child relationship grows too. I am sure I will also for my 2nd child, but for now I am so happy to be able to continue. (especically when they have a cold or sickness and you can nurse them though it. )

So good to hear we have such dedicaed nursers on DIS. I get some looks and comments that people think I am crazy, but I am just doing what is right for my DD and I. (they ask why I can't have milk and eggs if I am not the one allergic to them.) They will get over it (and it isn't like we nurse in puplic much anymore. )

 

[Diz-Mommy]

I've always had HUGE issues nursing in public (I'm just very shy) , but I still can't stand when people act appauled because someone is nursing their child in public. I don't gasp when I see someone giving their kid a bottle of formula in public. And I must say, I see someone driving a shopping cart with one hand and shoving a bottle in their baby's mouth with the other every time I go grocery shopping. My first thought is, why can't you pick the dear child up and give them the bottle, and then continue your shopping??

I even read a comment on this board about someone saying they were traumatized at 5 years of age seeing a women's breast on accident while at Disney because she was nursing her child. (the OP was asking about private places to nurse in WDW...) I was thinking, tramatized? Really???? Well if that's the most tramatic thing that ever happens to you...consider yourself lucky!

Hats off to all you dedicated nursers! I wish you well weaning whether it be parent or child lead. I hope you all come away with great bonding memories with your children as I have.

 

[staci]

Ill have to remember that just in case!

With ds, we found the key for us was time. At 10.5 months I started back to school, so he was in daycare for 4 hours each morning. I pumped, but he always refused a bottle, so he just had to wait That was the first one that we cut out (the midmorning) as he usually ate every 2 hours. We lengthened the time in between feedings, and really had no complaints. The only one that was hard to let go of was the 4 am feeding. He was really NOT hungry, but I had let him nurse in the night since the beginning so I knew that would be the hardest. But at about 15 months, I just stopped letting him. For a few nights the world was crashing down at 4 am but honestly it was only 3-4 nights before he stopped waking up. I think the fact that we spread it out over 5 months really helped him. At the time, 15 months was the LONGEST I had ever known anyone nursing, and had a lot of pressure to quit. With this next one, I am going to take my time. DS started having really bad ear troubles 3 weeks after weaning, and the pediatrician said that I stopped at the worst time (January). I hadnt even considered that So with this next one due in July, I am already planning on nursing through the first two winters, provided the baby agrees with me on that one

 

[DisneyPhD]

Ill have to remember that just in case!

With ds, we found the key for us was time. At 10.5 months I started back to school, so he was in daycare for 4 hours each morning. I pumped, but he always refused a bottle, so he just had to wait That was the first one that we cut out (the midmorning) as he usually ate every 2 hours. We lengthened the time in between feedings, and really had no complaints. The only one that was hard to let go of was the 4 am feeding. He was really NOT hungry, but I had let him nurse in the night since the beginning so I knew that would be the hardest. But at about 15 months, I just stopped letting him. For a few nights the world was crashing down at 4 am but honestly it was only 3-4 nights before he stopped waking up. I think the fact that we spread it out over 5 months really helped him. At the time, 15 months was the LONGEST I had ever known anyone nursing, and had a lot of pressure to quit. With this next one, I am going to take my time. DS started having really bad ear troubles 3 weeks after weaning, and the pediatrician said that I stopped at the worst time (January). I hadnt even considered that So with this next one due in July, I am already planning on nursing through the first two winters, provided the baby agrees with me on that one

That makes a lot of sence and that is really my plan (why stop when winter is coming?) My oldest we stopped over the summer and it was much easier. My youngest birthday is Aug 3rd so the dates are very close and our plan is to conintue through the winter and see how we both feel (if she wants to stop sooner fine, but I don't see that happening. ) My family has always been very supportive of bf so that was much eaiser. I know it is very difficult when they are not. Really the 2nd year nursing is the easiest. It was a suprize to me with my 2nd because I was used to bf being so easy, starting over with engorged breast was a shocker! But then again they leveled of much easier the 2nd time.

 

[AngieWin]

That makes a lot of sence and that is really my plan (why stop when winter is coming?) My oldest we stopped over the summer and it was much easier. My youngest birthday is Aug 3rd so the dates are very close and our plan is to conintue through the winter and see how we both feel (if she wants to stop sooner fine, but I don't see that happening. ) My family has always been very supportive of bf so that was much eaiser. I know it is very difficult when they are not. Really the 2nd year nursing is the easiest. It was a suprize to me with my 2nd because I was used to bf being so easy, starting over with engorged breast was a shocker! But then again they leveled of much easier the 2nd time.

That is one of the reasons I didn't wean last winter when I was pg. DS1 had rsv at 9 months and was still considered at risk, so I wanted him to have as much good stuff as he could! My family was supportive until ds could walk and then my mom was a bit doubtful. Now my sister is extended nursing too! (dd is 17 months and no signs of stopping, her ds weaned at 16 months) The second time around was different, had to get used to a new nursling.

 

[Diz-Mommy]

Just wondering... Do you go through the same trials and tribulations with baby #2??? I was sore for about a month with DS, and I just had to keep telling myself "just do one more day".

 

[DisneyPhD]

Just wondering... Do you go through the same trials and tribulations with baby #2??? I was sore for about a month with DS, and I just had to keep telling myself "just do one more day".

I guess to better asnwer that I need to know what trails and tribuations are (later weaning, or difficulties with new born nursing.)

 

[2diamonds&a~gem]

I am so glad to see so many nursing moms. I was blessed to nurse DD for 18 mo (this was after a breast reduction, so I only had half to 3/4th's of a supply due to cut glads) and one day she just didnt act like she wanted to nursie and I was crushed. I cryed for at least a week and DH had to put her to bed every night since I was too upset that she had quit.
As of now we are thinking she may be an only and that makes me tearful knowing I may never have another baby in my arms with big blue-grey eyes looking up at me as if I am the GREATEST thing that ever happened to her. To hold that tiny head in your arm & hold her foot with the other and she would curl her tiny toes around my finger... it was true magic for me to be able to have that time with her and I miss it so very much even now and she is 27 mos old. Enjoy your nursling for as long as possible.
** I also NIP and would have loved it if someone had the nerve to ask me to leave the room/area. Good for all of you that do NIP and for those that dont, good for you too- for doing exactly what you want for you and your child.**

 

[Camping Griswalds]

Both of my boys weaned themselves between 10-11 months. I cried horribly with the first, but was better with the second. He was a biter! Well 8 years later we have DD. She wanted to stop at 10-11 months too. Refused to nurse at night. Well I was not ready or willing to quit this time. I wanted one of my children to nurse for a year. So after DH tucked her into bed, about 2 hours later I'd pick her out of her crib, and she'd nurse both sides while pretty much asleep. so of course at age one when I was ready to stop, little princess re-discovered the joys of nursing. So she's now 15 months and I'm thrillled!!! I can't wait to nurse a baby in Disney!! So if you don't like it...don't look!!! I have big plans to nurse her on Haunted Mansion, The dinosaur/Ellen ride, and probably Great movie ride, if it's nap time!!!

To answer some others questions...your nipples still get sore/tender with each baby, but NOT as tender or as sore and for a much shorter time. Well that's my experience with it anyway!!

I didn't get nearly as engorged with each milk "coming in" with each subsequent child either. Don't know about weaning the 3rd yet, but with first two, I was only a little uncomfortable. Not engorged when they decided to quit, so they must have been getting less and less anyway.

I certainly hope DD decides to wean herself, as I don't think I could stand the heartache of her crying for momma and to nurse! I just don't want her to stop any time soon! We're going to Disney in Jan of 06, so maybe I'll get lucky and be able to nurse her there!!!

 

[AngieWin]

I just love that there are so many of us here!!!
On our recent trip, I think I only saw 2-3 moms nursing and probably 5 more in the baby care centers. With not having to bring any bottles/snacks/food for ds, it was an easy trip!