[mamatoady]

How do you teach a 2.5 year old child who has NEVER fallen asleep without nursing (except in the car) to go to sleep without nursing. This kid would nurse until she's 8 if I'd let her, but I'm kindof getting tired with the whole thing. I don't mind comfort nursing her, but would really like to get away from the sleep/nursing thing. I don't want to make her cry or make her feel like I'm rejecting her in any way. Is there a gentle way to do this? Her verbal skills aren't really high, so I am not able to reason with her. (ha, could I dream of reasoning with a 2 year old? Any ideas?

Sarah

 

[mama24-7]

I just did this w/ my dd who'll be 3 in AUgust. What's always worked best for us anytime we're changing a routine is to give her lots of warning and remind her of what is upcoming. Doesn't mean that it always happens w/o some discomfort on both our parts.

I'd also suggest you examine your reasons for wanting the change. I first nightweaned dd then began having her go to sleep w/o nursing b/c I'm pregnant & due any day and knew that I wanted her to be comfortable going to sleep & going back to sleep other ways. Had I not become pregnant, I would likely still be nursing her a lot more, although she's forgotten many times now about nursing in the mornign or after dinner.

Good luck and remember that weaning is something that will go most smootly when you're both ready.
Sus

 

[ctdoula]

I nightweaned my dd last fall when I was in my 1st trimester of pregnancy. I felt like I needed a break before I started nursing a newborn again. I basically told my dd that she could have "Ga" (nursing) when the sun woke up. She was old enough to understand this concept. She cried the first 2 nights, but went back to sleep after maybe 15 mins. For the next few weeks, she'd ask for it, but I'd remind her she could have it when the sun came up & she was fine with that. Then she just stopped asking. Now she nurses when she goes to sleep at night & again 1st thing in the morning.

 

[jee'smom]

i also told dd that we'll nurse when the sun comes up. i had explained to her that day that nursies were tired and needed to go to sleep, but that they'd wake up when the sun came up. that night i reminded her of the conversation. i tackled one problem at a time (nursing to sleep and night nursing were two separate issues for us!). she cried alittle that night, but accepted it after only 1-2 mins. i was firm but loving, and did not give in no matter what. some nights she'd ask for it, but i'd remind her no nurses at night, she'd accept it and fall asleep. the way i stopped nursing her to sleep was that i'd nurse her first until she was almost asleep and then say "let's snuggle... i LOVE to snuggle with my baby..." i got her use to this routine until i was only nursing for a couple of minutes before i'd say "ok let's snuggle now" and she'd accept it. i was pg at the time and it hurt to nurse, which she knew and i think it made this whole process easier. by the way, my dd was the quintesential lounge nurser. our whole family swore she'd nurse til college. she weaned herself last week at 2 1/2 yo. you really never know how long they'll nurse for! by the way, i'm so glad i introduced the snuggle idea, b/c now she really looks forward to our special time at night when we snuggle together. take care! good luck!

 

[nfpmom]

I nightweaned DS at 17 mos when I was 2 mos pregnant. He was not very verbal at the time, but he did understand what I was saying. I used the "we can nurse when the sun comes out" line as well and it took about 3 nights- and there was crying, but we cosleep so I still was right there to snuggle him and tell him I loved him so much... If you are consistent it shouldn't take that long... and at that point he had not fallen asleep before without nursing... the anticipation was much worse than reality.
take care

 

[TiredX2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mamatoady How do you teach a 2.5 year old child who has NEVER fallen asleep without nursing (except in the car) to go to sleep without nursing. This kid would nurse until she's 8 if I'd let her, but I'm kindof getting tired with the whole thing. I don't mind comfort nursing her, but would really like to get away from the sleep/nursing thing. I don't want to make her cry or make her feel like I'm rejecting her in any way. Is there a gentle way to do this? Her verbal skills aren't really high, so I am not able to reason with her. (ha, could I dream of reasoning with a 2 year old? Any ideas?

Because no one else has mentioned it, I thought I would: SHE WILL WEAN (and probably before 8) even if you don't do anything. DD was nursing 20ish times daily at 2, 8 at 2.5, and was weaned at 4. The nursing to sleep was the last one to go.

 

[Smithie]

I had to wean very early (9 months!) due to needing breast surgery, and I just wanted to say that my dh was a great help in changing our routine without (many) tears. Maybe dd and dh could start an extra-special nighttime routine - bath/book/bed? I was sick for several days with post-surgical pain, and by the time I could lift my son again the nursing thing was a distant memory for him. Maybe you could pretend to be sick several nights running and go to bed, thus removing yourself from the action and letting dh work his magic? Heck, you are probably so tired at this point that it will be easy to act sick! Anyhow, when dd wakes to nurse, dh could remind her that you are sick and can't nurse while you play possum.

I really think that dps can help a lot with night weaning, and that they are very motivated to help if they are told that no more night nursing means a well-rested, cheerful, more-sexy-feeling wife.