Weaning @18mos

Esquirette

Hi Ladies,
I was active on this board while pregnant and since having my LO I have become a lurker...Lol
Anyways I am still BF-ing in the am and at night and I am thinking seriously about weaning a 18mos which is Jan 26th for my LO.
I really could use some advice on how to go about it the most effectively:
1. Cold Turkey or
2. Gradual

Would love any input on this subject.
Thanks

SallySunrise

I would cut out one feeding friat, either morning or night, and give LO (and yourself) a week or two to get over that change, then lose the other one. At this age you can explain it a little bit better than with a younger infant. "No, we're not going to have milk tonight, but mommy would love to cuddle you! Let's read a book together, sing a song, etc." Good luck, and great job!!

aylafsu88

I agree with Sally. For your sake it will easier to cut out one session first then a week later the other. This will give your body time to adjust and your LO time to adjust.

apollonia10

I'm not much help because DS weaned himself at 12 months, but he did it gradually - refused one feeding but then would nurse at another time of day. Of those two feedings, he cut out the morning one first and then the night one last. Good luck and congrats on nursing for 18 months!

ashleynaka

I agree with the gradual approach to weaning for your sake and LO's too. Good luck and kudos for making it to 18 mo. We are still nursing, but unfortunately, my supply seems to be diminishing. If we have to wean, I will also do it gradually.

Esquirette

Thank you ladies for the advice and support. You'd be suprised how many of my girlfriends are "shaming" me for still bf-ing at 18mos. (Even the ones who have kids!)
I am going to cut the morning first. I am so scared of cutting the night as it will cause total chaos in our night time routine. I guess I should also prob stop nursing on the weekends at nap time too! I am a push over my LO asking for "Bow" (my nursing bras have a bow on them and so that is what he calls bf-ing).

britbratjf

First, kuddos for making it to 18 months! That's awesome and screw your friends who tell you otherwise. That being said I was WAY ready to have my body back so I weaned at 13 months. I did it cold turkey on the weekend when my H could be home to put LO down for naps & bed shiv is usually when she nursed. It was painful for me but an easy transition for her. I SAH and wasn't sure I would be able to just drop a session with no one else to put her down. I didn't want to try and put her down myself since I knew she would expect the boob. So my H really stepped up and I basically left the house for a couple days. After that no issues!

apollonia10

Esquirette said:

Thank you ladies for the advice and support. You'd be suprised how many of my girlfriends are "shaming" me for still bf-ing at 18mos. (Even the ones who have kids!)
I am going to cut the morning first. I am so scared of cutting the night as it will cause total chaos in our night time routine. I guess I should also prob stop nursing on the weekends at nap time too! I am a push over my LO asking for "Bow" (my nursing bras have a bow on them and so that is what he calls bf-ing).

Aww, that is super cute!!

aylafsu88

Esquirette said:

Thank you ladies for the advice and support. You'd be suprised how many of my girlfriends are "shaming" me for still bf-ing at 18mos. (Even the ones who have kids!)
I am going to cut the morning first. I am so scared of cutting the night as it will cause total chaos in our night time routine. I guess I should also prob stop nursing on the weekends at nap time too! I am a push over my LO asking for "Bow" (my nursing bras have a bow on them and so that is what he calls bf-ing).

I am terrified to cut out the night session as well. From what I read in Sleep easy doing a gradual reduction is best. If you gradually reduce the amount of time they nurse it helps them adjust to the change instead of going cold turkey.

sarahandeddiejune212008

Gradual is the easiest way for both you and your lo. I'd think that the morning session will be the easiest to drop because you can distract a little easier.

I really am thinking of also weaning my DD at 18m. She still nurses 3x a day and multiple times at night. Right now I'm attempting to night wean (although it's not going so well).

My first DD was much easier to wean. We weaned at 17m. The night session was our last to go.

Good luck!

Esquirette

Thank you ladies again! I have cut out morning bf-ing for the past two days and so far DS does not seem to have noticed. I just move right into b-fast as my distraction. My plan is to cont. on w/o am bf-ing and then drop night bf-ing on 26th (18mos b-day).

Side note: My ta-tas hurt like crazy!!!! OMG I am thinking this will be harder on me than DS. lol