Sigh... when to wean

jalaiaa

I am so torn about whether to try to wean the boys. We just nurse in the morning and at night anymore. I always said that I would nurse until the boys were ready to self-wean but wouldn't go past 2 years. Anymore, James doesn't nurse at night and will only nurse for about 2 minutes in the morning. Eli camps out and would nurse for a long time if I let him. I don't think that he would be ready on his own any time soon. 

The other day Eli made the milk sign and pulled down my shirt while a bunch of family was around. He just started doing that and I'm trying to nip the shirt pulling in the bud.  SIL made a comment that she would never nurse past the time that her kid would ask for it. I would never stop because of a comment like that, but somehow it got into my head.

I don't feel ready to wean him, but I kind of wish he would just be ready on his own. Sometimes I feel like I'm done and he's too big to still be nursing but most of the time I just enjoy it and enjoy the 10 minutes a day that Eli isn't running around the room. 

I know that this is a decision I have to make for myself, but did anyone else struggle with this? 

dulcinea03

I still nurse both girls, and we're in a similar boat. The difference is for now we're fine with the arrangement- Kit nurses for only a couple of minutes, whereas Jules still enjoys to take her time at the boob.  Right now we're riding it out, and I'm not in a hurry to wean them.

Are YOU ready to wean? If not, your SIL can go to hell IMO. If it is working for you, and working for the boys, why mess with it? The World Health Organization recommends nursing for 2-3 years. Most societies view it as very normal for children to nurse for that long.  Most children will self wean between 18-36 months. Many moms are done before then and that's ok. But IMO this needs to be about you, your boys, and your DH. Do what is right for you, and everyone else gets to butt out.

jalaiaa

dulcinea03:

I still nurse both girls, and we're in a similar boat. The difference is for now we're fine with the arrangement- Kit nurses for only a couple of minutes, whereas Jules still enjoys to take her time at the boob.  Right now we're riding it out, and I'm not in a hurry to wean them.

Are YOU ready to wean? If not, your SIL can go to hell IMO. If it is working for you, and working for the boys, why mess with it? The World Health Organization recommends nursing for 2-3 years. Most societies view it as very normal for children to nurse for that long.  Most children will self wean between 18-36 months. Many moms are done before then and that's ok. But IMO this needs to be about you, your boys, and your DH. Do what is right for you, and everyone else gets to butt out.

 

This is exactly what I would tell myself if someone else had written my post. (That sentence was confusing, but you get my drift). Thanks. 

BeccaLandes

I don't think Asher will ever want to wean.  I decided I'm not going to stress about it until they're closer to 2.  Both my boys still love to nurse, but Benjamin is more easily distracted by running around the room.

Anyway, my mom was supportive up til they were 11 months, and then she started harping on weaning; everything was "a sign" it was time to wean.  I finally told her we weren't ready, and that I was sure we wouldn't still be doing it when they are 5.

If you and your boys are happy, I say keep it up, there is no reason to stop! 

leviandlandensmom

dulcinea03:

I still nurse both girls, and we're in a similar boat. The difference is for now we're fine with the arrangement- Kit nurses for only a couple of minutes, whereas Jules still enjoys to take her time at the boob.  Right now we're riding it out, and I'm not in a hurry to wean them.

Are YOU ready to wean? If not, your SIL can go to hell IMO. If it is working for you, and working for the boys, why mess with it? The World Health Organization recommends nursing for 2-3 years. Most societies view it as very normal for children to nurse for that long.  Most children will self wean between 18-36 months. Many moms are done before then and that's ok. But IMO this needs to be about you, your boys, and your DH. Do what is right for you, and everyone else gets to butt out.

Everything she said! I plan on nursing my duo as long as they want - within reason

kaitley44

I am struggling with the decision of when to wean myself. My babies aren?t as old as yours, but they are able to ask for it when they want it. They go to my nursing pillow and start hitting it saying baa baa, (I am pretty sure they call it baa baa because I always ask them if they want some boobie when it is time to nurse) or they come to me and try to latch through my shirt.

Anyways, I had always planned on nursing to 1 and then weaning. But the closer we get to that goal, the more I am having second thoughts. I am pretty sure I will be ready to stop, but I am also pretty sure that they will not be ready. I think I will just keep going until I decide what to do.

I don?t think there is anything wrong with extended nursing. I think that you should nurse as long as you want. Don?t listen to your sister, just listen to your feelings.

 

Marybetina

I'm glad you posted, because I'm struggling with this too. My daughters just turned one and I had planned on weaning, but in the month leading up to their birthday I realized we're not ready. Also, one has a cows milk allergy - so I'd have to find a decent substitute. I want to wean for selfish reasons, I feel so bad, but I'm TIRED and I'm starting to want my body back (what's left of it). I need a break and my husband is telling me it's time to wean, I'm sure more people will be chiming in on this too (and like PP said, they can stick it) but it does wear on me.

They currently nurse 3 times a day. My plan is to go down to two (morning and night) and give them soy milk/formula once or twice during the day. Then we'll see what happens. 

Just wondering, how many times a day do your kids nurse, how did you cut out a session, and how much and what else do they drink?