Lil’ B is now 17 months and 3 days old and is still proudly breastfeeding a few times a day. While she’s with the sitter during the day she gets regular cows milk, water, or juice but when she’s home with me she usually asks for mommy!
I started offering her sippy cups when we are having meals or when we go out in public – just because it’s easier than dealing with questions over breastfeeding my toddler. While I’m extremely proud of where I am today I’m not really in the mood to defend my right as a mother and provider.
Next week hubby and I will be traveling without the kiddos for 4 days – and I’m wondering if I should officially wean? This morning while she was breastfeeding she reached for her sippy cup that happened to be sitting next to the bed! She would alternate between the two – boob and sippy – until it was time to get up and dressed for another day. It was kinda funny actually to see her holding the sippy while nursing! She thinks she’s a big girl when she gets her cup but I love our special time together.
I’ve tried NOT offereing mommy milk unless she asks – which by the way involves a toddler PULLING my shirt off until she finds the goods! I know she’ll be fine without it but I wonder if I should continue to pump while we are away? Will she still look for it when we get back? Will she be sad or angry if her fountain is closed? Or will she be like her brother and never look back.
I think mommy might be the one to take weaning hardest – this is my last baby – my last nursling!
When I had my #2, #1 was 20 months old and still nursing a couple times a day. I ended up having a c-section and so was in the hospital away from him (during last winter's H1N1 scare they wouldn't let him visit) for 3 days. I sort of thought he weaned himself. But the day after I got home he asked for me and now at 25 months I'm wondering if he'll EVER wean! We're down to once a day before his nap, but he doesn't seem willing to let it go… Good luck with whatever you gals decide!!!
Thanks Secret Mommy! XO!
I finally stopped last week, mine is 28 months.It is hard on the mommy, but I was finally ready to be totolly done. She however was not. She askes about once a day and is okay with my response. I miss it, though the closeness and all. good luck in your decision.
Oooh! Tough one. Right after Cubby turned a year old, I went out of the country for 10 days. I had no breastmilk stored, and he doesn't drink milk. But I chose to pump and dump while I was gone “just in case”. When I got back, he “asked” for it, but then acted like he didn't know what to do with it the first time but after that, he went back like a pro! Unfortunately, it's a sore spot with DH as he thinks I shouldn't have even given in since he seemed to be fine without it for 10 days – maybe so, but now that he's almost 20 months a little late to change that… anyway, he's only nursing 1-3x per day max and I am personally glad that we still do – I think I may wait until he's done with all this “teeth” stuff. Nursing seems to be the only thing that really comforts him.
All that to say, do what's best for you two! Our ped said “as long as it's mutually desired” so we're keeping on… but I'm hoping he'll wean at least before he goes off to college … LOL!!! j/k :)) Good luck Mama! You probably will take it harder 😉
I weaned “cold turkey” with my daughter at 2 years of age–it took less than a week before the asking stopped. Four months later, she doesn't seem to even remember nursing. I was having difficulty keeping her from trying to raise my shirt to nurse when she'd be anxious at music class or zoo class. I decided it was kinder in the long run to stop giving her mixed signals. I applaud you trying to nurse as long as you can. I do miss the closeness though 🙁
I weaned “cold turkey” with my daughter at 2 years of age–it took less than a week before the asking stopped. Four months later, she doesn’t seem to even remember nursing. I was having difficulty keeping her from trying to raise my shirt to nurse when she’d be anxious at music class or zoo class. I decided it was kinder in the long run to stop giving her mixed signals. I applaud you trying to nurse as long as you can. I do miss the closeness though 🙁