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Weaning toddler who refuses to wean!

RnMommy1RnMommy1 member
in Breastfeeding
I have a 2 year old who I was hoping to wean when she was ready. Her dad and I separated before she was born so when it came time for her to go on alone visits with him when she was about 10 months she seemed more attached to breastfeeding than ever before. He wanted me to stop breastfeeding but I refused and we were able to successfully continue. I don't regret this one bit. 

However, now that she has turned 2 she doesn't seem to be ready to wean yet.I would continue except that my current partner and I are expecting and I'd like to not bf two children at once. I no longer pump and haven't for quite a while. I even successfully (with much difficulties) weaned her at night. So she's now sleeping through the evenings now that she isn't bf at night. I don't want to force her or have her cry it out during the day time given she just began her overnights with her father (and she breast feeds immediately when I pick her up). 

I'm confused as what to do and how to do it. Anyone try and succeed in gently weaning a toddler? I tried lemon juice.. it didn't work.I might try a pacifier although she's never taken it before because I never offered. I'm desperate but I don't want to push her into something she isn't ready for. 


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Re: Weaning toddler who refuses to wean!

  • linzeek44linzeek44 member
    Can you try just setting limits? Maybe choose one or two times a day where nursing is okay with you (then drop one and then drop the other gradually)? 

    If she asks to nurse you could offer a snack/drink/snuggles instead or say, "Later. We'll nurse at bedtime." (or whatever time you choose is okay).

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  • MomtoHMomtoH member
    I'd tell her it was time to cut back, but not totally eliminate if you can keep from it.  It sounds like she is kind of unsure about the overnights right now and nursing kind of grounds her and gets her back to normal when she returns home. I cut my daughter back to a couple of times a day and offered snacks any other time.  She wasn't always thrilled, but it worked.
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  • RnMommy1RnMommy1 member
    Thank you! I tried to talk her through it but she will cry hysterically and act like I'm murdering her by saying no. I never ever thought weaning a toddler was THIS challenging. I do want to think of her best interests but I am also weary of how tired I am with breastfeeding her while I'm pregnant and I know I'll be worse off when the new baby comes. 
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