I need to wean my toddler quite much now

[Lisa1970]

We had worked on weaning a couple months ago. After 2 days of not nursing, I felt awful emotionally. I was not ready to stop. So, I posted and got encouragement to only night wean. But, I have now concluded that my son is not capable of only night weaning. I am still having to sleep in a different room because if I come near him at night, he knows I am there and wants to nurse. Of course, half the nights are rocky because he wakes up looking to nurse and will scream until I come. And to top it off, I have reached that point in pregnancy where I really need to sleep in my own bed. 

But the worst part is, for some odd reason, when he dozes off, he clamps down and bites me! It is not on purpose. But my nipples are so sore that when he nurses just nursing, it hurts, a lot. He is my 5th child to nurse, and I have nursed others until older than him and never had this problem before. Now, I find myself dreading the idea of nursing the new baby, because I am so sore! I realize I just need to suck it up and wean him so that when the new baby comes, I can be recovered and ready to nurse her.

I would love help and suggestions. I do not like CIO at all, but am wondering if I need to resort to that? Thank you so much for help!

[MsFortune]

Well, you tried gradually reducing and that did not work, so it sounds like cold turkey is the way. 

Since he associates you with nursing, can you have dad take over most of the nightwaking and activities where DS typically nurses?

 

[Lisa1970]

My husband has been taking over the nighttimes. But, since DS learned that it was still available during the day and I was just in the next room, he would scream and cry until I would come out to him. Actually, he would come to me also. Thing is, he cosleeps so he can get out of the bed by himself and get me. But really, he is very stubborn and will scream all night long too. I feel awful. It is like he needs it a lot. But, I feel like I cannot give it anymore.

[JudiAU]

Nightweaning can take some time to adjust, if especially if the toddler does feel like they are ready. So depending on how long, you might consider giving it more time or not. 

[MsFortune]

He does not need it, he wants it.  

I'd try to remove the boobs.  Have him cosleep with DH without you.  Things like that.  For a week or so, until he gets used to it.

No matter what you try it's going to be rough.  Hang in there!