Predicting the future?

554 Views 5 Replies 5 Participants Last post by mother_sunshine, Jun 13, 2005

ETW

Discussion Starter · Jun 11, 2005

For those with children who have already self-weaned, was their nursing behavior in the first few years predictive of their weaning age? Does a young toddler who nurses frequently, for example, wean later than one who nurses less frequently?

I'm mostly asking out of curiousity, though I'd also like to be able to guess what the future holds for my 15 month old.

Save

1 - 6 of 6 Posts

TiredX2

· #2 · Jun 11, 2005

I don't think you can predict your child's weaning age.

Both of my children were frequent nursers. BUT, DD much more so than DS. She also took much longer early on. DS was a "frequent" nurser at 12-18 months (compared to most) and still nursed through the night, but DD nursed much more often. BUT DS has kept a more even pace (a lot, probably because I was pg with DS when DD was 24 months). So, while DD was a more frequent nurser until at least 18 months (and to clarify I mean 30 (?) times a day versus 20, lol), at 3.5 the situation is totally different. DS nurses probably 6+ times daily now (he will be 4 in August) while DD was sleeping all the way through the night at this point (so probably nursing 3 times daily).

I don't really know, though. DD's good friend who was the most high needs child I have encountered weaned on her 5th birthday and her brother is still going strong at 4.5 so

I really tink you can't tell *too* much.

See less See more

Save

Ruthla

· #3 · Jun 12, 2005

I think you can safely predict that your ds will nurse at least until the age of 15 months and will wean before reaching puberty.

See less See more

Save

TiredX2

· #4 · Jun 13, 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ruthla
I think you can safely predict that your ds will nurse at least until the age of 15 months and will wean before reaching puberty.

Wow, so I can stop looking for colleges that allow moms to nurse in the dorms?

See less See more

Save

stafl

· #5 · Jun 13, 2005

OMG! No wonder your name is TiredX2!

My very very spirited, intense, high-needs 4yo nurses maybe once or twice a week! But my 18 month old, who doesn't seem to have the same intense emotional *need* to nurse that her sister does, still nurses like a newborn most days (but sleeps all night), though it doesn't bother her to miss several nursing sessions if we are doing something much more fun and interesting. I'm actually hoping they both wean in about two years from now, but who knows what will really happen?

See less See more

Save

mother_sunshine

· #6 · Jun 13, 2005

I agree that it is difficult (and useless) to predict. It's so much more enjoyable (for both mama and babe) to just relax and go with what feels right and see where it takes you. Experience the here-and-now rather than thinking too far ahead.

I would have given myself a nervous breakdown if I kept predicting! There just came a time when I relaxed and said that it will happen when it happens.

That said, dd was a comfort nurser from day 1. She nursed for long periods of time and had a very strong suckle...all the way up until the end of the journey.

Save

1 - 6 of 6 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.

Top Contributors this Month