bfing 2 yr old questions

moving24

So, here I am...just a month and a half from dd second birthday and I am still nursing.  I had planned on weaning her sometime after she turned one and it just never happened.  Over the summer I kept telling those that asked and myself that on/around her second b-day I would stop but now I am not sure.  We are down to 3-4 times a day and she does not nurse to sleep.  She seems most attached to her morning session.  I know that I don't want to be nursing a 3 year old and I want to do what is best for her so I am just not sure.  Advice from those that have been there?  I guess I am still hoping that she will self wean but then I wonder if it would be better for her to just pick a day, have a party, and cut her off. (sort of like when people take away bottles or pacifiers ) I also feel like I am interested in weaning because of society's views on extended bfing and dh comments that she is too old otherwise I would probably nurse her another 6-8 months. thoughts? TThis is a situation where I really don't know what is best.

goodheartedmommy

You do what you think works for you and her. Not DH. Not the people who ask. I would tell DH that you're not interested in hearing anything about it if he can't be supportive.

https://kellymom.com/bf/bfextended/ebf-benefits.html

JOEBunny

I know a lot of exstended BFers who go past two.  It isn't for me, but if it works for you, great.  I do think you should take your DH's opinion into consideration.  If it is based on ignorance, then educate him.  If it is based on other feelings, then you need to hear him out and perhaps compromise, such as only doing it at home or whatever.

kittycarr

You do what you want.  Brooke is three and had I not gone back to work and had she not been too stubborn to want only the bottle or boob, not both, I'd still be nursing her and I'd be happy as sh*t about it.  I really, really miss nursing her.

kittycarr

My personal opinion on your post though sounds as though you want to quit but feel a little guilty about doing so???

MichelleWP

I agree about doing what you want, don't worry about society's views. If you are happy with it, and so is she, then that is what is best for your situation. I assumed we would start weaning around my daughter's 2nd birthday, but a month later we're still at about 3-4x a day (she does still nurse to sleep about half the time). She's my last, so it's hard to think about weaning her - although I think she will self-wean fairly soon.

moving24

kitty - It's actually the opposite.  I would rather continue nursing her. I think I won't put the pressure of her turning two as a reason to wean and just see what happens.

 

juniper19

I know a few people who have nursed until 3 and even past 4, so I wouldn't count on her wanting to self-wean.  I suspect a lot people nurse longer than they are willing to admit because people start to think it is strange after 12/18 months.  So you should keep doing what you want to do, but if you don't want to deal with people's opinions, you might want to start dodging the question whenever possible.

As for your DH, I agree with the poster who said that you should hear him out and understand his reasoning, but ultimately it is your decision.

 

gogadget

YUCK

Zenya

gogadget:

YUCK

What are you - 10?  Assshole.

 

To the OP - I agree to talk to your DH and see if you can reach some kind  of compromise.  6 mos or so is nothing in the grand scheme of thing.   Esp with it being cold and flu season.  Follow your heart!

 

Angela814

I just weaned DD a few months ago. She was 3 years and 2-3 months. I don't actually remember the last time she nursed.

I was actually planning on letting her self wean, but her latch had gotten so bad that I couldn't stand the pain of nursing her anymore. After just 2 minutes, I had these horrible teeth marks around my nipples.

For us, weaning cold turkey would have been disastrous. It was hard enough to wean slowly. DD was not happy with the change. We weaned the last 3 feedings over about 4 months. (And she was down to 3-4x a day at 26 months after I night weaned.) 

I think you really need to do what you feel is right for you and your DD. When you're just nursing at home, no one else needs to know that you're nursing. I don't think anyone asked me after she stopped nursing during the day. They either just assumed we had stopped, or they got sick of my answer.