weaning two

I've never nursed this long, so I don't know how to go about weaning a toddler. And having two seems like it's going to be super difficult. I'm not planning on weaning yet (they're only 19 months) but I just have a few questions. The girl seems more attached to it than the boy, she's the one who "asks" for it, the only time B wants to nurse is if he sees her nursing or when I offer it at bedtime, nap time, etc. I don't know anything about weaning and just looking for any advice. Thanks so much!

 

Unless you need them to stop for some reason they'll just do it on their own eventually.

If you would like to take the lead though, the biggest tip I always offer is to take it slow - if you wean too quickly it can cause problems with plugged ducts & mastitis. Replace nursing with a snack & drink, or cuddle time, or some other special thing so they don't feel like they're losing something. Start with the nursing session they're least interested in & drop that one first.

 

Thank you, I'd like for them to be ready to when themselves, but I think age 2 1/2 or so is about the time I'll be ready, I guess I'll re evaluate how I feel when that age comes. However, I'm already getting pressure from other family members, but thats another issue in itself. :-(

 

Sounds like a good plan. I'm sorry you're feeling pressure from family members to wean - that really sucks & honestly isn't any of their business. You can always remind them that the WHO recommends nursing to at least 2 years & then as long as mutually desirable. If the smartest experts in the world think nursing is so great, they can keep their opinions to themselves.

 

Ugh. I'm sorry. Some people are so ignorant about the benefits of nursing past 6 months and a year. As long as these family members aren't the ones nursing it's not their business how long you do. It's between you and the babies you nurse how long you continue.

I replaced myself with DH when I wanted to drop a session. I'd be conveniently gone for a few days when I wanted to wean them from a session. They love daddy so it wasn't a problem.

 

I keep hoping my duo will wean!!! I mean, really... almost, what??, 39 months??!! It's all good, but I think I'm ready. anyway, what the others said is perfect. And I have to laugh no one asks me about it now... but I have to mention it sometimes b/c I think it's kinda funny and blows peoples minds!

anyway, one other thing I've done recently in the last 6 months is to set a 10 min "nap" timer on my alarm and when the 10 min. is up, we are done... for the most part that works to just shorten the whole session, and they love turning the timer on and off...

I've also started not being in the same area that we normally are in the mornings and I avoid the whole "boobie milk" request. seems to work for the most part, sometimes they'll ask, and I'll redirect or say it's time for breakfast.

one thing I've thought was cute, is that my dd will be nursing and my ds will come off and sit down and read a book right by us!! he's definitely not as attached sometimes. But sometimes it's SO nice to be able to just nurse for 3.5 minutes and wham they are so tired they fall asleep!! anyway - WAY TO GO !! 19 mo. is awesome! and enjoy your toddler nursing times! Also... make sure you like what you call it... they will call it that at the most inopportune times... like mine... "boobie milk"!!

yes, right now sometimes we go 48 hrs w/o nursing and the other day I felt my right breast getting hard, my ds wanted to nurse his side so that was fine, otherwise I was going to pump... it's nice to be weaning slowly so that I might not have any issues... we'll see.

 

My DH had been starting to pressure me (our son will be 18 months on Wednesday) UNTIL 6 weeks ago I read an article that said Michael Jordon was breastfeed until he was 3 and Péle (the soccer player) was breastfeed until 5. Now, not only is he on board, he tells anyone who says anything, that what was good enough for two of the world's best atheletes is good enough for his son too!

I guess we just have to speak their language. :good:

 

:laughing: That's awesome!

I was finally able to convince DH to use the baby sling when I pointed out that he could keep both girls calm AND still play video games at the same time. Whatever works!! :good:

 

When my oldest DS was about 18 months I began to be given a hard time by family members for nursing. They said he was to old, it was not appropriate etc. Then at around that age he got very sick, he got croup, bronchitis and a nasty cold. He stopped eating regular foods, stopped drinking juice milk etc but he WOULD NURSE! The Dr. said that was the only thing keeping him nourished, hydrated and out of the hospital. I used this as an example for those pesky family members and they never said another word! He weaned at 2 1/2 when I didn't have "chocolate mommy milk"! Don't worry about the nay sayers and those pesky family members! They are your babies and your boobies you can do with them what you want

 

I love the stories posted today! Love that the daddies needed to have it spoken in their sports language!! and the chocolate mommy milk is precious! hmmm... maybe I need to offer more inticing almond milk choices... it's a precious time, and most moments I still enjoy it. but mostly I think it's sweet that they still love getting milk from me.

and on the cranky days, wow, it's amazing to nurse for about 2 minutes and have calm sleeping babies!

enjoy your time!