Can I just nightwean? Does that work?

[Lisa1970]

I am 17 weeks pregnant and the baby is 19 months old. The main problem I was having with nursing is that at night, he was nursing every two hours. Not only were my nipples hurting, but I was exhausted by morning and it was hard to function during the day. I have not nursed him in 3 days now. (except one quick secret nursing yesterday). I have been sleeping in a different room while he is still in my room. Last night, he got out of bed and came to the room I was in and crawled in bed with me and cuddled and wanted to nurse really bad. I would have given in, but I knew dh would come to get him and would be mad, if after 3 days of work for weaning, if I had nursed him.

 Thing is, does it really have to be all or nothing? I really just want to wean the middle of the night feedings. I would be happy to still nurse before bed and first thing in the morning even. I am very sad over the nursing and I wonder if this is upsetting the baby. 

What do you think? Do I have to just keep going and get him completely weaned?

[mamakaila]

i cant help much because at 10 months i had my son cio because i was like 16 weeks preg and he was up ever 1 hour to nurse and every 2 hours to play... i couldnt do it. i have a 3 and 4 yr old as well...he is now 12 months (4-7) and he sleeps from 830pm-7am every night...rarely wakes up and doesnt nurse at all at night. he is weaning bc with the baby coming. im not 22 weeks along.. i need him mainly weaned.. and he is down to 3-4 times a day nursing. its all up to the family. cio works wonderfully for my family but a lot of moms wont/cant do it

[Heba]

It absolutely doesn't have to be all or nothing!  Many mums night-wean their little ones and go on to breastfeeding during the day for months or even years.

If you do a search, you should find several threads which might be helpful on night-weaning.  I know that Dr Jay Gordon's night weaning plan is popular http://drjaygordon.com/attachment/sleeppattern.html .  I also like Dr Sears top tips for all-night nursers http://www.askdrsears.com/html/7/t070800.asp .

Good luck, mama!

xx

[Lisa1970]

Thank you so much! I am sending these links to dh right now. I just want to run to the bedroom and snuggle and nurse my baby, as I know he wanted it so much in the middle of the night. I just feel so bad and have been miserable having to wean him.

[PatioGardener]

Originally Posted by Heba 

It absolutely doesn't have to be all or nothing!  Many mums night-wean their little ones and go on to breastfeeding during the day for months or even years.

If you do a search, you should find several threads which might be helpful on night-weaning.  I know that Dr Jay Gordon's night weaning plan is popular http://drjaygordon.com/attachment/sleeppattern.html .  I also like Dr Sears top tips for all-night nursers http://www.askdrsears.com/html/7/t070800.asp .

Good luck, mama!

xx

I hope you find that night weaning works for you, and you can continue to nurse happily during the day. It's definitely not all or nothing! :)