Weaning timeline

MIL is coming out on Christmas Day so we can get away starting 12/26 for a few days. I'm so conflicted about how to wean. How would you do it?

 

i don`t think i would wean specifically to go on the trip - i would probably keep things as they are, take a shorter trip, and plan to pump while i was away. GL!

 

I don't think you have to wean to go away for a few days - unless the babies are ready for weaning and you want to wean now and the trip is just the perfect opportunity. Once my little ones were down to two nursing sessions a day I hardly experienced any discomfort if I had to go away overnight (this has happened a few times for business). I only pumped before going to bed which does not disrupt the day, maybe adding a quick pumping session in the morning if I could fit it in. Have fun on the trip!

 

I wouldn't wean only for the trip, as much as you and DH probably need the time away from everything. I'd keep everything the way it is for now if you and the kids still enjoy nursing. Then during the trip maybe pump (& dump if worrying about storage stresses you out) once a day? I don't think it would hurt your supply and you won't feel too engorged either.

 

I would not wean just because of a trip unless you are ready to wean. I would pump and dump while I was away. If you don't already have a breast pump, I would buy a cheap one and use that. Even when I was down to 1-2 sessions a day, I became engorged when I missed a session and it was painful, so I wouldn't try to tough it out without a pump of some kind.

Have fun on your trip!

 

I voted other, because it totally depends on what you want to do! If you wanted to wean soon anyway, you could use this as the occasion. But you certainly don't have to. You could just go on the trip (lucky you! ) and either pump or hand-express if you get uncomfortable.

If you do wean, don't go cold turkey! Try to drop one session at a time (starting with the one that seems least important to them), distract them, substitute something else really fun/soothing for nursing (singing, reading, whatever they're into), change up the routine a bit.

Good luck! Whatever you decide, it will work out fine.

 

I voted other also. Kids don't forget, so unless you want to wean I would nurse like normal until you leave. Hand express/pump if needed while gone, and pick up where you left off when you get home.
Otherwise, if you did want to wean I think I would nurse till I left and when I returned, if the kids asked I think I would tell them the milk is all gone They may or may not be a good idea. What does your gut say?

 

I don't know anybody IRL who has extended nursed. DH and friends who are supportive are kind of getting impatient (but not judgmental if that makes any sense). I would like to do child-led weaning, but am wondering when this will be. There are no signs of them getting ready to wean. I know what you mean about them not forgetting- currently on Saturdays I work so they do not nurse before nap. But Sunday they are just fine to go back to it. ardon:

I guess I feel like this is the perfect opportunity, but worry about the winter cold/flu season and think it's a couple of months too soon. :gah:

 

I work long shifts and sometimes go for 48 hours without nursing. I don't experience any engorgement and go back to nursing twice a day when I get back. I never pump (stopped when they turned 1). If you want to wean, go for it but if you're having doubts just go, hand express only if you get uncomfortable, and see what happens when you get back. Have a great time!!!

 

To me, this is how you really feel. Dont worry about if anyone has done it IRL, just think of whats right for YOU & your babies Like everything else, follow your mothers intuition- you will know when its truly the best time! We're here for support either way, but listen to your inner self!

 

if you want to wean, then start the weaning... but it sounds like you want to continue. I wouldn't wean just to go on a vacation. I'd probably even have pumped for 2 wks if I'd gone w/o kids. if its just a few days, just pump a bit and enjoy nursing when you get back.

I'm at 2.5 yrs and only have a couple of friends who nursed this long... its kinda funny the reactions that people show when I say I'm still nursing... but then I love doing what I want and not conforming to others... (like when my bff mentions my boys hair is getting long... well, I just might have to keep those curls another year or more before cutting just to bug her!!!)

 

I nursed until my boys weaned themselves. Nathaniel was my last one, he weaned himself at 10.5 months. William I weaned at 4 months for health reasons. I would nurse until the self weaned personally, but it is totally your decision.