[ksmeadowlark]

I thought I would post here as a follow-up. I have been asking over the past 6 months about my problems with painful intercourse (not just due to dryness, but due to low estrogen levels). The midwife couldn't even help me, she just said things would be better once I wean and get my cycle back.<br><br>
DS had also become very aggressive regarding nursing, biting, kicking, pinching, etc. Nursing was not helping him go to sleep at night anymore, even though he still demanded it at night.<br><br>
I finally made the decision to wean last week. We were down to just 3 nursings a day anyway. It wasn't as hard as I expected, and I only had one teary moment. DS is doing amazingly well. Gradual weaning didn't work, I tried that before, so we used aversion (cocoa powder--I read about this in a weaning book I borrowed from LLL)<br><br>
I wanted to post here both to:<br><br>
1) "confess" since most of my friends here are pretty hard core about child-led weaning<br><br>
2) let other struggling moms know that it is important to do what is best for you AND your child.<br><br>
The amazingly reward we have reaped from this is that my DS is SO much more affectionate toward me. He now cuddles and hugs and kisses like he never did before. He wanted no non-nursing comfort from me before. I feel like a loved mama.<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/love.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="love"><br><br>
Lisa

 

[mom3]

I'm so glad things worked out so well for you! I believed in child-led weaning until I got pg and it HURT. DS was down to only bedtime nursing and when I made him quit he decided to touch my breast for comfort instead. Sometimes it has simply become a habit with our little ones and giving them an alternative works out just fine.<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">

 

[lisamarie]

Thanks for sharing your story. I think we all really want to try whats best for our kids and ourselves. Motherhood is such a wonderful gift, but it can be a struggle at times. You gave your child a great gift of breastmilk for 20 mo., you should be proud.<br><br>
Warmly~<br><br>
Lisa<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/hug.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="hug">

 

[virgomama]

Congrats--I think you were wonderful to nurse for so long!<br><br>
One question, however--what did you do with the cocoa powder?<br><br>
Thanks!

 

[mirlee]

I would like to know as well.

 

[yoga]

Hey, you gotta do what works for you and your child/ren. I'm glad you're both doing so much better!<br><br>
I 3rd the interest in the cocoa powder...<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/confused.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Confused">: