Weaning help!

[mrsdocmartin]

Ok, so I am 22 weeks pregnant and really ready to wean. We are down to only nursing to sleep before bed. I have been limiting the session to 4 minutes, and it breaks my heart because DS cries (well, whines is a better descriptor) every time and wants to nurse longer. Nightweaning wasn't easy, but I know it was right as his sleep improved tremendously. Then we dropped nap nursing and morning nursing. Morning nursing was harder and he still asks once a week or so, and I always offer something else and gently remind him that we don't nurse in the morning anymore. So, two questions. First, how long do I go before I go for less than 4 minutes? Do you think I should wait until he seems used to being limited? Second, when do you think he'll stop asking to nurse at other times? I am all nursed out. My nipples hurt, I feel a tremendous aversion, and most of the time I truly believe he doesn't need to nurse anymore. But, it breaks my heart to tell him no and I am wondering if I am being totally selfish.

[doubledutch]

Originally Posted by mrsdocmartin

I am all nursed out. My nipples hurt, I feel a tremendous aversion, and most of the time I truly believe he doesn't need to nurse anymore.

i think it would be good to make a change now. whether you change from 4 minutes to 1 minute, or wean. from your description of your son's personality (acceptance of night-weaning and difficulty accepting time limits on nursing), weaning may be the gentler choice.

you are not being selfish. taking care of yourself is a gift to your child and the babe you are growing. give yourself some love for all the good milk you've given ds and for the gentle weaning you're giving him now.

[mrsdocmartin]

Thank you so much for your kind thoughts! I am trying so hard not to feel guilty, but it isn't easy.

Originally Posted by doubledutch

from your description of your son's personality (acceptance of night-weaning and difficulty accepting time limits on nursing), weaning may be the gentler choice.

You know, I never thought about it this way before, but you may be right. If I go the weaning route, how long do you think it will be before he stops asking? This morning for example, he said to me, "nursie?", and I said, "no Honey, we don't nurse in the morning anymore", and he smiled and said "nighnees are beautiful." It actually cracked me up and we laughed and the moment was lightened. It still broke my heart though! We got up and he had a glass of juice and he never mentioned it again.

[desamom]

I just wanted to write and say I am going through the same thing. But I think my daughter is younger than yours and I am only 13 weeks pregnant. My daughter will be 2 in a couple weeks and we are down to one 4 minute session right before bed. I started to work on weaning when I was only about 8 weeks pregnant because it hurt so much and I had a massive aversion. It was making nursing awful for both of us because I would get annoyed at her every move.

The guilt is killing me though. I really wanted to nurse her until at least 2 and I really wanted to nurse her as far into this pregnant as possible. I did not think I would develop an aversion so quickly. In some ways the pain was bearable, but once the aversion started, I just could not do it anymore.

I too wonder about dropping that last session. I feel your pain, mama, and the guilt is so hard. I break down and cry every day feeling like I've failed my daughter in some way.