Does the thought of weening scare you?

[LilMomma83]

I don't know why, but, I guess sense my 2.5yo is nursing less these days and DH is hinting strongly that he wants me to ween soon it is just making me sad...I think we'll still nurse for a couple months at least, but, it is so hard for me to imagine him not nursing anymore...I mean I know he can't do it forever, but, it is going to be so hard to let go. (wow, I sound like my mom talking about my brothers moving out of the house lol)

[walstib]

I had planned on nursing until at least 18 months but got pregnant when DD was 10 months. I weaned her at 13 months, it was just unbearable for me to nurse while pregnant. I was really sad and missed nursing her, but she didn't care AT ALL. She happily drinks her goat's milk from her sippy cup now. She has never even made a move to nurse again. I thought it would be a huge problem, but it wasn't. Maybe this is because she was younger?

[Maela]

For me it depends on my mood. Sometimes I get excited about it and sometimes I panic. I don't know why. I planned on nursing 2-3 years and she's 26mo, so really I'd be happy with her weaning anytime now. But I still get panicky sometimes. Used to happen more often, now that she's older it happens less often.

I'm sorry you're going through this. It's tough seeing them grow up, isn't it?

[Peacemamalove]

it scares me! DD is my last child and I want her to wean herself when she is ready. I am hoping she continues to nurse I dread the day that it is over. As of now she nurses on one side at night and both sides in the morning and that is it.

[LilMomma83]

Originally Posted by Peacemamalove

it scares me! DD is my last child and I want her to wean herself when she is ready. I am hoping she continues to nurse I dread the day that it is over. As of now she nurses on one side at night and both sides in the morning and that is it.

Yes, and I think I worry that I might have been pushing him a little because after DS2 was born he was nursing like crazy and it was making me crazy and also I was trying to enforce "we only nurse at home" because I'm not overly comfortable nursing him in public unless he really needs it, now he typically nurses every couple days--though he will always say yes if I offer.

[D_McG]

Nursing was such a huge part of my relationship with DS that yes - I was very scared! That fear made me nurse him longer than I wanted to actually. But it was fine in the end.

[annettemarie]

Honestly? At 2.5 the thought of weaning gives me great joy. But if this your first or only, I can really understand that reluctance about moving on to a new stage. One thing to keep in mind is that it's generally pretty gradual. That makes it easier on the mama and the little one.

[Macnamara]

I'm scared too. DS will be 20 months in a few days, and he has really started to cut back. We are down to 3-4 times per day. He has also just started STTN (knock on wood). I don't know if he will be my only child. I want to make it to 2 years (or through the flu season). I just hope we make it.

[LilMomma83]

Originally Posted by annettemarie

Honestly? At 2.5 the thought of weaning gives me great joy. But if this your first or only, I can really understand that reluctance about moving on to a new stage. One thing to keep in mind is that it's generally pretty gradual. That makes it easier on the mama and the little one.

He is my first, we had a pretty rough first 6mos, and then a year after that I got pregnant, so I think that is part of it too. I also remember being sad when my mom weened me (I was almost 3) I still remember asking to nurse and her telling me I had to suck on something else! So I don't want him to stop because I pushed him either (I have definitely very intentionally reduced his nursing sessions).

[alegna]

No. But I'm letting my kids wean on their own for the most part so far and dd is 5yrs old

-Angela

[annettemarie]

Originally Posted by LilMomma83

He is my first, we had a pretty rough first 6mos, and then a year after that I got pregnant, so I think that is part of it too. I also remember being sad when my mom weened me (I was almost 3) I still remember asking to nurse and her telling me I had to suck on something else! So I don't want him to stop because I pushed him either (I have definitely very intentionally reduced his nursing sessions).

Well, it sounds like you are really in tune with both your own feelings and his. One thing to remember-- you get to write your own ticket on this one. You don't have to follow a list of rules or someone's method. You don't need to live up to anyone else's expectations. You've nursed your little guy for two and a half years-- that's pretty amazing!

[inkedmamajama]

i can understand how youre feeling...this is my last child and while im not scared of weaning, i am enjoying stretching out nursing as long as she wants. she is 2 and half and right now and my husband and i agreed that 3 years is our goal...beyond that? we will have to see.

[HappyMommy2]

I am scared at the process of weaning, the sadness etc. But I am looking forward to the time when my body will be mine again!

[juules]

I'm with ya on this. My daughter is 2.5 and I've been seriously thinking about weaning for about a month now. It was sad to think about. I thought of losing the bond and intimacy as well as nourishment for my daughter through the breastmilk BUT last week I took some evening classes that had me away from the house. My daughter fell asleep without nursing. I had so much fun being out of the house that I got encouraged to wean. This past week I've started the weaning process and now we nurse only at night....and it's liberating, exciting and just the right time. You'll come to a place where you feel it's the right time. Last night she fell and cried. Usually she would want to nurse and the crying would stop but I just held her and loved on her and it was wonderfully intimate. Ending the stage of nursing will not end your intimacy. You'll get to experience new types of cuddles.

[~Boudicca~]

Yes.

DD2 is 2.5 and I don't forsee her weaning any time soon. But I know the day will come and while sometimes I am very irritated by nursing her what seems so often, I feel extremely sad over the thought of weaning her, child-led or not. I can easily see myself sliding into a depression over "my baby" not nursing anymore.