To wean or not to wean...

BrittKav

My older daughter (2 years 5 months) gradually weaned from nursing last month. I'm pretty sure we're done, as she hasn't asked to nurse in over 2 weeks. It was my goal to nurse her until 2 and I'm proud of our nursing journey.

My younger daughter is 15 months old and has never been very interested in nursing. Ever since her 1st birthday, it's been a struggle to get her to latch on for any amount of time. I haven't had a letdown in a month or two, and I know my milk is almost gone, if not completely gone. She doesn't get any milk the few seconds she does nurse and I'm not even able to squeeze a drop out. At this point, I nurse her 1-2 times a day but it's not a comfort to her, she doesn't ask for it, and she usually fights to get away after a couple seconds. Now that I'm pregnant again I know what little milk I might have (if any) will likely soon be gone. 

If nursing was a comfort to her like it was for her sister, I would of course continue for as long as she wanted. I still really want her to breastfeed for 2 years, but at this point I don't see the benefit. She's not getting any milk, she doesn't enjoy it, it's not comforting to her, she never asks for it. It seems logical to wean...but she's only 15 months! That seems so so young. Do I continue to "force" her to nurse until she gets to my goal age of 2? How do I know when to give it up? 

BeckyD80

I don't think setting a time for how long you want to nurse is necessary helpful for you. To me nursing should be mutually beneficial and when one person stops benefitting than maybe it is time to wean. 15 months is a great accomplishment and I don't think you should feel guilty for not making it to 2 years, especially if your supply is basically non-existant.

CurbsideProphet

It sounds like she is trying to wean but you are trying to force it. I would probably stop since it does not sound like she is really benefiting from it. 

SnoopyLuv

I weaned two months ago- same circumstances. I hardly had anything and she wasn't digging it anymore. It sounds like she's trying to communicate that she wants to stop.