I need a reality test

[BabyA'sMom]

....

Edited by BabyA'sMom - 1/29/11 at 4:00pm

[Baby_Cakes]

That's repulsive to me. I couldn't imagine doing that. That is so not gentle and so not kind. Ugh.

[PGTlatte]

I'm glad you put some gentler ideas out there. You never know who out there might learn from what you share.

I would also feel sad about a nursing relationship having such an unpleasant ending for the child. I know that sometimes, a mom is ready and just really ready to be done - no lingering feelings of sweetness, or feeling bittersweet about weaning. I can see that everyone has a right to their feelings. But yes, to me, for the child, that is sad.

Both of our kids weaned "cooperatively"...that is the term I use - lots of encouragement in that direction from me, and sometimes some limits were set, but it was left to them to ultimately give it up. There was never any unpleasantness involved in encouraging weaning. Today, they both appear to have very nice memories about nursing - at ages 7 and 4.5, they both occasionally talk about how much they enjoyed it, each with their own code word - one called it "side", the other called it "ma ma". My breasts still get the occasional affectionate pat or snuggle. I don't see any lingering anger or sadness about weaning. I'm glad they weaned gently and that it wasn't traumatic for them, and they've retained their sweet feelings about nursing.