I think I've had enough of breastfeeding :-(

KittyKatMom

And I feel awful about it. DS will be 22 months on Friday, and BFing is just not an enjoyable experience for me anymore. I'm pregnant, but I don't have any breast tenderness or nipple sensitivity, so that is not the issue.

I just feel like it's time to stop, but I've never liked the idea of forced weaning. I don't know what to do though. Lately, nursing makes me cranky and impatient. DS still nurses to sleep each night and for a nap during the day. For awhile, we were doing good. I would let him nurse for a set number of minutes on each side, then tell him it's time to sleep, and he would willingly pull off, roll over, snuggle up to me, and go to sleep.

Lately though, he's been fighting me when I tell him it's time to stop. This makes bedtime drag out longer, because he cries and whines, and when this happens at naptime, we end up missing the nap window because he gets upset and then can't get into sleepy mode again.

I'm ready to just tell him he can't nurse anymore at naptime, but that is so not how I wanted to do this. My mom nursed me until I was 3, and I distinctly remember the night she cut me off cold turkey. I was fine and never asked for it again, but I don't want DS to have that experience.

I guess I'm just venting here. I'm not really sure what to do. I wanted to be finished nursing by the time he was 2, and I don't want to force the issue, but I also don't want my last memories of BFing to be unpleasant. I almost wish we had stopped a few months ago, when I was still feeling positive about it. :-(

Harper'smom

Don't be so hard on yourself you have done an amazing thing for a long time! DD's to sleep session was the last to go at 28mos and it wasn't that bad because I had to leave the country and DH did bedtime for 5 or 6 nights. I'm not suggesting you leave the country but go do something. You did your thing for 22 months, your lo and your DH can figure out the next week or so. Just be prepared for the hormonal aftermath so that you are not caught off guard by any intense emotions that may strike you. I promise, those feelings will subside.

I was so torn up about leaving and possibly weaning but all is well. It was harder on me than DD. Don't hesitate to talk to your child about it and your feelings. I think preparing them verbally around age 2 can be helpful.

daisyterp

22 months is incredible!  I agree w/ Harper'smom on talking about it to your LO, it's amazing what they can understand. 

If you have any desire to continue, I will tell you that nursing while PG may get easier in terms of sensitivity- also I found it kept nausea completely at bay during my first tri w/ DS. At around the 20 week mark my milk changed/lessened and DD stopped nursing as frequently- at one point she told me that there wasn't anymore left and that was basically the end. I can't pin point the last time she nursed because it had become so sporadic in the end.  

rainlily

You've done an amazing job.  I agree with pp that your supply will decrease soon and your LO may lose interest at that time.  I would talk to him about it and start to prepare him.  My DD#1 was nursing 4 times a day at the start of my pregnancy and cut down to once a day by the end.  She never weaned during pregnancy, though and still nurses.  She is back up to three times a day, due to my supply and watching her sister nurse all the time.  GL with whatever you choose!

ncbelle

I don't think you should feel guilty at all!  I too reached a point where I just felt "touched out" - being pregnant had a lot to do with that.

I agree that finding a new sleep routine would help both of you.  Callum was almost 2 when we weaned.  In the months before that, I had started talking to him a lot about time being up, setting limits on when we'd nurse, etc.  He actually seemed to be ok witth things and accepting of other forms of comfort.  I would definitely get DH in on the bedtime routine!