weaning, but he can't sleep without nursing...

[71newmom]

So I am weaning my 13 month old. He is such a busybody during the day that he doesn't really miss it. He drinks well from his sippy cup for the most part. However, I am still doing the pre-nap (he only takes one nap a day)and pre-bedtime nursing because it's the only way he can fall asleep. I truly do not know what to do. No matter how tired he is, I can't get him to sleep. If I put him in his crib, he will stand up and run frantically back and forth having a complete screaming fit, holding his arms out to me. It's the same thing if Daddy does it. If we leave the room it gets worse. I can't bear to just let him cry himself to sleep. I am, of course, wanting to wean him gradually, but I am set on wanting him completely weaned withing the next few months. Personally, I just need to be done breastfeeding. Any suggestions?

[RoadWorkAhead]

I do konw for us, that the crib while awake thing didn't work until like...last week I think. Before that, if she tolerated it at all, it was once asleep. AS for the weaning part, I'm no help as DD was on a feeding tube when we weaned at a year, so she was full already. There were a few nights she cried in my arms, but I don't know that it was a lack of nursing (I gave in and nursed som,e during that time and it still happened)

[SleepyMamaBear]

why do you want to wean him if he isnt ready for it?
could you continue to nurse him to sleep, to give him not just the nutrition but also the bonding and comfort he is showing you that he still needs?
maybe give co-sleeping a try?
and if you are dead set about being DONE nursing your baby boy, you could always snuggle him and hold a bottle of rice/soy/almond milk for him to help him get his suckling needs met, and his comfort needs met, while your wants to get him off the breast are met.
maybe check out the book "the nursing mothers guide to weaning"

[nichole]

If you can wait until 18 months, it will be a lot easier b/c they are more verbal at that age.

[MaryJaneLouise]

Please wait a few months to completely wean your LO. Children need to breastfeed for 2 years at a minimum. He should still be getting a lot of his nutrition from your breastmilk, it is very important during the 2nd year. I know it seems like forever, but he will soon be so big.

Can you tell us what your biggest problem is with nursing.