Question on weaning...

[carole]

Firstly congratulations on breastfeeding for so long, well done, it has been 17 yrs since i was doing that, however i too fed my girl until she was 16 mths old,i think it does depend on the child, for me weaning was no problem at all, i just did it slowly and she just accepted it without even much as a whimper, however not every child is like that i guess, i can only go by my own experience, but i think you have to strong about it, and just do it, Ty will miss it but adapt,i think giving him the option of a new feeding cup and encouraging him to use it like a big boy might help a little, remember because they are big enough to ask for it, they are probably big enough to understand somewhat that mummy is not going to do it anymore,good luck.

[Cataholic]

Ty will miss it but adapt,i think giving him the option of a new feeding cup and encouraging him to use it like a big boy might help a little, remember because they are big enough to ask for it, they are probably big enough to understand somewhat that mummy is not going to do it anymore,good luck.

Of course, Ty will adapt no matter what you do. Kids are very resiliant. I just wanted to comment on the 'big enough to ask for it....' part. Newborns 'ask for it' at 1 day old by rooting around. Infants 'ask for it' by moving their giant sized heads towards the breast, no matter who holds them (he he he, men, too!). Surely that doesn't mean those children are comprehending that mommy isn't going to do it any more.

'Asking for it' is so intuitive, and necessary to their survival. Don't allow those signs to discourage you from EBF any more than you would allow a child not interested in feeding at all to languish. Do what works best for you and Ty (which you have obviously done tenfold by the EBF relationship), and if that means weaning now, wean now. If that means going longer, go longer. But, do it on what you feel inside, not some external cue.

As for boys vs. girls, dunno. I have only one little boy. He self-weaned so ridiculously easy it was pathetic. I was the one that needed the help! LOL!! But, since he self-weaned, he led the pace, he was ready. There was one time about 3 days after he first said no more that he went back to the breast. And, that was momentarily. He looked at me and said, "all gone?" and I said that I thought it was. I was so floored/crushed/amazed.

Some kids walk at 11 months, some cry for weeks from colic, some kids never use a paci. They are all so different, and Ty may do none/all of what you have heard. If you can let him lead a little bit, while working to drop all but the night time feeding for a while, it may go easier.

Good luck and again a huge congrats! Statistically, you are way off the charts.

[JenBKR]

If you can let him lead a little bit, while working to drop all but the night time feeding for a while, it may go easier.

Good luck and again a huge congrats! Statistically, you are way off the charts.

Maybe that's what I will do. We'll try nighttime (and maybe nap time...) sessions and see how that goes. He can be a very persistant little guy! Thanks for the advice!!

[carole]

Oh well i have only raised two children successfully to adulthood,but then what would i know eh?

It has been a while you know ,but all i know is it was a piece of cake weaning my daughter.,but it is not the same for everyone.

Good luck and yes follow your instincts,as all mothers do.