Nursing Mamas - Checking-In

[javilu]

I know there are some of us here, but our thread fell by the wayside.  No wonder, as I'm sure we're all so busy, tired, etc.  I just wanted to see how everyone is doing.

[Inkedstar]

I think we're almost done.  DD (2 yrs) was nursing 1-4x a day when we got the BFP in Nov., but now the milk feels gone and I can only tolerate about 30 seconds of her nursing 1x a day. She asks to nurse more (during the regular times) but I often redirect her with cuddles/water in a sippy cup. Nursing was her method of falling asleep so getting her to sleep w/out it has been more challenging,

Dry nursing is torture.  I feel awful for being unwilling to nurse more, i also feel grateful for being able to continue to nurse her as long as I have.

If she is willing I would be open to tandum nursing once the new LO has arrived. I have a feeling she will want that connection back once the milk comes back in.

[SuburbanHippie]

My DS (3.5 years) is still nursing at least once a day.  We tried to wean back in the summer, but he was not having it.  So here we are.  I'm not going to lie.  It hurts now.  I kind of wish he would wean already, but I feel like a monster for actually typing that out. 

[~Katie~]

DD is almost 20 months and I'm definitely encouraging her to continue. She's lost a lot of interest since my milk dried up, she normally nurses once or twice a day but isn't really latching right. She's completely night-weaned now. I really don't want her to wean so I hope she can continue and pick things up better once my milk is in.

[new2texas]

I just stopped.  I feel badly about it but the pain was becoming excrutiating.

[artekah]

13 weeks preg tomorrow, DS is 15 months, and still nursing strong. So far I still have milk. But I've been feeling like nursing has been taking a lot out of me. It's been especially hard since in the past few weeks I've had not one but 2 stomach bugs with vomiting and/or diarrhea, and DS had one of the stomach bugs plus a bad cold, PLUS he recently cut 6 new teeth all within 2 days! So he has been needing/wanting to nurse more than I feel I have to give. I've taken to letting him empty both sides and then handing him over to DH, screaming. I know nursing gives him comfort and he's just a little guy and it seems unfair, but I just can't take any marathon nursing sessions right now.

One good thing is we are making huge progress towards night weaning, which has helped me a lot to get more sleep. He nurses down to sleep, 1-2 times during the night, and once in the morning now. (As opposed to an all-night free-for-all!) So I hope that trend continues--it would sure make it easier once LO gets here if DS is completely night-weaned by then!

Despite the difficulties I'm still grateful to have my milk for however long I get to keep it, and I'm actually kind of excited about tandem nursing, lol!

[Curlyfry7]

My goal was to get to age 2, which we did (and after the 5 weeks total for my DS I am pretty proud of the 2 years!!) and then figured I'd try to do a little more to get through the winter. We are down to one, maybe 2 nursing sessions a day. The most persistant one is the nurse to sleep-not sure how to drop that one. But I HURT. My nipples are cracking and it is all I can do to continue most times. I think I still have milk, at least DD still seems to be swallowing as usual. But I do want to wean in the next month or 2 for good. I have no interest in tandem nursin-I have had too many problems with nursing to even think about doing it for 2 kids at one time. (and I have no issues with anyone who wants to tandem, it's just not for me!)

I'm hoping my milk tanks completely soon and DD loses interest-but I'm not counting on it.

[melinstar]

My 28 month old DD nurses to fall asleep at night, once or twice during the night, and first thing in the morning.  Since I've been pg, and nursing started to give the most irritated (sometimes wretched) feeling, I tried to night wean, but her anger and distress (and then pleading, "nee-nee, mommy, PLEEAZE?!" over and over), broke me (that attempt at middle of the night weaning did help to limit nursing to once or twice--it was three or four times before then, and pg or not, I couldn't take it any more).  We're starting to potty train (learn), and soon to get her into her own room/bed at night, so I think I won't also torture her (and me) by taking away the nursing--will need that tool to help with at least the bed/room transition.  I have always secretly hoped my milk would change the more pg I get, and she'll just stop on her own.  Wishful thinking.  (although I won't mind the limited nursing--even tandem--IF the irritation/pain stops).

[mamahen2coop]

I'm really confused about what to do really.  If we weren't going on a solo vaca in April I'd just keep going and let DS do what he wants.  He's 16mo and nurses 3-4 times a day and once at night (after sleeping 10hrs then goes back to sleep for a few more).  I'm starting to hate pumping (at work twice a week) and wouldn't mind a break from that.  But I do love nursing, I only had a few days of discomfort earlier in the pg but now is fine.  BUT we're going on this vaca (sisters destination wedding) and I'm more scared to bring DS to mexico than I am to quit nursing (or leave him, although I'm pretty anxious about it)....  so I'm going to my first LLL meeting next week to get some input from some pros.  but I'd love some from you all.  Gradually Wean before we go? Cold turkey while we're gone and hope he resumes?  

ps totally off subject.  I wasn't done typing but it for some reason starts only letting me type at the beginning of the message?  Does that happen to anyone else?

[samhope]

We night weaned my 28 mo last month b/c the pain was too much and was keeping me awake all night.  Now he nurses 5-7 times a day.  It only hurts during let down on each side, but not a great feeling.  I am so grateful that it is not during the night though!  As for weaning, just not sure.  If everything goes well we will tandam nurse.  If complications arise (early contractions) then we will wean.  I am grateful he will be around 2 1/2 before that happens though so he will be a bit more mature and he can always start back up with the new baby if he likes:)

[mamaw/two]

DS is almost 20 monthes old and has cut back quite a bit.  He nurses 2-3x a day and has almost completely nightweaned himself, it has been so nice that he did it himself and I didn't have to!  I'm hoping he doesn't lose interest completely and quit before the baby is born.  I've tandem nursed twice before and think it helps with the toddler and new baby's bond alot as well as helping with engorgement!  I'm really hoping we get to do it again.

[tourist.]

Originally Posted by mamahen2coop 

I'm really confused about what to do really.  If we weren't going on a solo vaca in April I'd just keep going and let DS do what he wants.  He's 16mo and nurses 3-4 times a day and once at night (after sleeping 10hrs then goes back to sleep for a few more).  I'm starting to hate pumping (at work twice a week) and wouldn't mind a break from that.  But I do love nursing, I only had a few days of discomfort earlier in the pg but now is fine.  BUT we're going on this vaca (sisters destination wedding) and I'm more scared to bring DS to mexico than I am to quit nursing (or leave him, although I'm pretty anxious about it)....  so I'm going to my first LLL meeting next week to get some input from some pros.  but I'd love some from you all.  Gradually Wean before we go? Cold turkey while we're gone and hope he resumes?  

ps totally off subject.  I wasn't done typing but it for some reason starts only letting me type at the beginning of the message?  Does that happen to anyone else?

From my experience, I've left DS two times while nursing.  Once at 11 months (gone for 4 days), and again at 21 months (gone for 6 days).  Both times he picked up *immediately* nursing when I returned.  I was pregnant the second time we were apart.  And, I don't think I've experienced the posting issue you're describing. 

As for my current nursing status:  We're still going strong, nursing 4+ times a day.  I would be shocked if DS decided to wean, he absolutely loves nursing.  I wish I loved it at the moment though...It hurts soooooo bad for the first 20-30 seconds every single time.  It kind of freaks me out when he's getting ready to latch.  Ouch!

[ArcticRose]

My goal was to get to age 2, which we did (and after the 5 weeks total for my DS I am pretty proud of the 2 years!!) and then figured I'd try to do a little more to get through the winter. We are down to one, maybe 2 nursing sessions a day. The most persistant one is the nurse to sleep-not sure how to drop that one. But I HURT. My nipples are cracking and it is all I can do to continue most times. I think I still have milk, at least DD still seems to be swallowing as usual. But I do want to wean in the next month or 2 for good. I have no interest in tandem nursin-I have had too many problems with nursing to even think about doing it for 2 kids at one time. (and I have no issues with anyone who wants to tandem, it's just not for me!)


I'm hoping my milk tanks completely soon and DD loses interest-but I'm not counting on it.

This is exactly where we were a couple of weeks ago. DD was down to nursing once or twice a day, always at nap time for sure. We went on a trip and while we were gone, she went a few days in a row without nursing. Once we got home we continued the trend. DD hasn't nursed in over two weeks!

We had a few days of her being upset when I said no to nursing. After about a week, she seemed to forget about it, except to occasionally say "booby sleeping."

I probably would have continued on for a while with the once or twice a day nursing, but it had gotten sooo painful, I couldn't stand it.

I'm glad we had that special relationship, but I'm also relieved that it's done and I'm going to get a little break before the next baby.

[mamahen2coop]

Originally Posted by tourist. 

Originally Posted by mamahen2coop 

I'm really confused about what to do really.  If we weren't going on a solo vaca in April I'd just keep going and let DS do what he wants.  He's 16mo and nurses 3-4 times a day and once at night (after sleeping 10hrs then goes back to sleep for a few more).  I'm starting to hate pumping (at work twice a week) and wouldn't mind a break from that.  But I do love nursing, I only had a few days of discomfort earlier in the pg but now is fine.  BUT we're going on this vaca (sisters destination wedding) and I'm more scared to bring DS to mexico than I am to quit nursing (or leave him, although I'm pretty anxious about it)....  so I'm going to my first LLL meeting next week to get some input from some pros.  but I'd love some from you all.  Gradually Wean before we go? Cold turkey while we're gone and hope he resumes?  

ps totally off subject.  I wasn't done typing but it for some reason starts only letting me type at the beginning of the message?  Does that happen to anyone else?

From my experience, I've left DS two times while nursing.  Once at 11 months (gone for 4 days), and again at 21 months (gone for 6 days).  Both times he picked up *immediately* nursing when I returned.  I was pregnant the second time we were apart.  And, I don't think I've experienced the posting issue you're describing. 

As for my current nursing status:  We're still going strong, nursing 4+ times a day.  I would be shocked if DS decided to wean, he absolutely loves nursing.  I wish I loved it at the moment though...It hurts soooooo bad for the first 20-30 seconds every single time.  It kind of freaks me out when he's getting ready to latch.  Ouch!

That's encouraging!  I really do want to tandem if he wants.  So do I just leave or do I try to wean him a little before we go?  I think he's sort of slowing down a little.  Last night he wouldn't nurse before bed.  And he wouldn't nurse when he got up today.  But he did before his nap and just now (before a random nap YAY!).  I know my supply is less than it used to be.  I only get 1-3oz per breast when I pump at work but that never stopped him before.  I figure I'll mostly just go with it and do what ever comes, but it's just this stupid trip in between.  If only it could have been Hawaii then I would have brought him with, but Mexico freaks me out too much. 
 

[tourist.]

Originally Posted by mamahen2coop 

So do I just leave or do I try to wean him a little before we go?  

I just left and he didn't have any issue.  I did talk to him a lot about me going away and that he would be spending extra time with his grandma so he wasn't totally caught off guard.  DS is a major boob junkie so I don't think he'll ever wean..no matter how long we might be apart.  Good luck! 

[kriket]

Originally Posted by mamahen2coop 

ps totally off subject.  I wasn't done typing but it for some reason starts only letting me type at the beginning of the message?  Does that happen to anyone else?

Yeah, it does it to me sometimes and I can't figure out why. I frequently have help typing, but even when he isn't helping it does it.

I think 21m DS is about done. I think it has changed flavor or at least decreased a lot. I had to night wean, it was time. It was preventing him from sleeping because every little wake up he had to nurse back to sleep. Now he can roll over and fall back asleep without nursing.

Otherwise, I am just doing the don't offer, don't refuse. Though, I will admit, when he signs milk I offer him a cup first. If he insists I'll let him nurse as long as he is actually nursing and not screwing around. He hasn't asked to nurse in days. I offered today, I came home from work and he was sick (think he got DHs stomach bug) he was so miserable and I knew it would make him feel better.

[samhope]

My obgyn wants me to ween as of yesterday because I had pprom with the last pregnancy.  Reaching out to everyone for ideas and experiences with this. My homebirth midwife thinks it is fine to continue bfing as long as no contractions but ob says first contraction could be labor and there might not be any warning.  Thanks!

[Novus]

20 month old DS is nursing 3 times a day--bedtime, before nap, and once at night...well, early in the morning, I guess, because it's usually about 5 or 6 now.  I keep going back and forth on nightweaning, completely weaning, or tandem nursing.  I'd LOVE it if he weaned before the baby gets here, but he gets so excited about nursing that I can't see denying him that.  Seriously, it's his favorite part of the day.  And he's been really good about dropping down to 3 times/day and usually, I tell him all done after a few minutes and he's fine with that.  So I'm thinking it's probably not worth the upset, just to be done with the 5-10 minutes of nursing that he does total in a day.  With that said, it HURTS--especially the early morning one--so I'm hoping that he'll just lose interest.

My biggest concern with tandem nursing is that he'd want to nurse every time the baby does.  I think I'd be okay with nursing him 2-3 times a day, like we're doing now, but I don't want to do any more than that.  It just seems like if he saw a baby nursing 12+ times a day, he'd want to do that too.

[jraohc]

I'm working on nightweaning.  The nightweaning itself is going okay, but the nighttime parenting is going lousy and I'm EXHAUSTED.  I was hoping nightweaning would get us both more sleep, but so far it's not working.  However, I am feeling much better about nursing my son now that I have begun nightweaning.  I was feeling really lousy about nursing him and really lousy about the thought of tandem, but now that I've begun nightweaning I'm feeling better about the possibility that I might end up tandeming.  We'll see.  There's still plenty of time to go and there's a chance he'll wean completely.

[~Katie~]

We've officially made the switch over the colostrum. She asked to nurse this morning and when she pulled away I saw some. Not enough to hand express, though. It was around this time when I was pregnant with DS that I needed nursing pads because I made a waterfall of colostrum, since he nursed during DD's pregnancy I didn't have that issue. She's really disinterested in nursing a lot of the time, I think if we can make it to 24 months I'll be okay if she weans but she still seems so young to me to stop nursing. I'm feeling really guilty about it. 

As far as tandem nursing, I did nurse a lot in the beginning with DS in order to help the transition. In hindsight I should have done a better job of designating breasts for them because he wanted ALL the milk and she had trouble gaining weight for a while. I anticipated having over-supply again and I wasn't prepared for dealing with low supply, so I did cut back on nursing him to once or twice a day eventually.