must wean 2 1/2 yo co-sleeper

[tnmom66]

I need to go on some medication and I need help most specifically with night-weaning.

I paint my nipples with Thum (avoiding the milk ducts--don't want to clog them up!) and during the day, she'll ask for milk, but stop as soon as she gets a taste. But those groggy moments--like when she wakes up 1/2 way through nap, or in the early hours of the morning, it seems like she doesn't mind the taste too much.  Maybe the milk dilutes the bitterness?

We are on day 3. My older child rejected the breast totally after her first taste, but this one ( same age) is persistent. The first night, in the early morning, when I didn't let her have milk, she asked to eat, for TV, to go potty, but I didn't let her get up (except to potty, but she changed her mind). When she spends the night with her dad, I think he lets her get up in the middle of the night if she wants to. She also naps on her own at preschool 2 days a week.

I am very sad about this.  But I think I'll function better as a mother in a lot of ways if I can get good sleep myself and get some relief through this medication.  I have fibromyalgia and the pain and fatigue is debilitating.

[CheriK]

First of all, are you sure that you have to wean to take this medication?  Doctors often use the PDR, which is published by drug manufacturers, and doesn't typically have accurate information about breastfeeding and medications.  Many moms on this board have Dr. THomas Hale's Medications and Mother's Milk, which is published every other year and considered the best resource for info on medication use while breastfeeding.  You can also visit his InfantRisk center on-line at  www.infantrisk.org, or even better yet, call them at the # listed at that site.  There are often other options besides weaning, including timing medication dose so your nursling doesn't get exposed, partial weaning, or different medications.

Are you open to considering a more gradual weaning?  It will be easier on your body than an abrupt weaning, which could lead to plugged ducts & mastitis, and the hormone changes are also going to cause less of an effect (this can be an issue with fibromylagia and CFS).  It will also be easier on your DD.  2 year olds are fairly persistent and not easily distractable when they have their mind set on something, and if nursing is more about the closeness and connection with you, she will likely continue to nurse through the bad taste of the product you're using.  It also sounds like she is separated from you quite a bit, and I wonder if nursing is how she reconnects, which will make an abrupt weaning even more stressful. 

For nightime, you might try Dr. Jay Gordon's nightweaning ideas for cosleepers - http://drjaygordon.com/attachment/sleeppattern.html.  Simply getting a full night's sleep might make your symptoms bearable and allow you to function better, even without medication.  At least once you're not sleep deprived, it will be easier to work on daytime weaning!  But if she's night waking a lot even at her dad's, then weaning isn't likely to change that.  Do you think she might be waking because nighttime is when she has a chance to spend time w/ whatever parent she's with?  Other things to consider - allergies (especially food allergies), sleep apnea/snoring, actual hunger especially if she isn't a good eater at bedtime, ready to give up her daytime naps. . .

[tnmom66]

Thanks, but I think she's weaned now.  It just took a few days longer than I expected. I would NOT try to take Lyrica and continue breastfeeding.

She is in preschool 2 days a week and I'm a SAHM and we spend a lot of time together. Her Dad spends a couple hours a day with her , usually 3 days a week, and has her overnight and it varies as to how much he has her the next day.

I can't remember when I last nursed her.  This is Friday night (9:30 p.m.)...I guess it was Yesterday early morning (Thursday-about 5 a.m.) My breasts feel about 1/2 full of milk...I hope I don't get engorged...I need to look into this. I have been going 12 hours-18 hours occasionally without nursing.

Her dad says she has been sleeping pretty well lately at his house.

Thanks so much for your advice.