BFing Toddler Mommies-how did you wean?

Sabrina is 22 months and we are nursing twice a day. I am really looking to close this dairy farm by her second birthday, but everytime I think she is ready to stop, she asks for it, and asks nicely. How do I tell her no when she asks, "please Mommy, milk from body"?

Last night after storytime I asked her if she wanted milk and she said, "milk from cup" so I got her a sippy and gave it to her with tears in my eyes. I walked out and let DH stay with her. I wasn't out of the room 2 minutes and he called me back up and said she was asking for Mommy milk.

I am so emotional about stopping. I really need my body back. DH and I need a weekend away without a pump. How do I do this? How can I turn her away? And how can I not cry when she doesn't want it? I feel conflicted and sometimes wish I can weaned earlier.

Re: BFing Toddler Mommies-how did you wean?

I don't have any weaning experience, I just wanted to offer some

My sister wasn't ready to stop BFing at 2 so my mom used the "don't offer, don't refuse" technique. During the day you can also try distracting her with something else.

GL

And I may be coming to you for advise in the next months. My DS is 20 months old and my original plan had been to do it until he was 2.

Re: BFing Toddler Mommies-how did you wean?

I only nursed until 12 months but had to give it up abruptly b/c of emergency surgery. I will say that had it not been for that I would prob be in your shoes. I think you can either do cold turkey and pick a day to just stop and have DH answer her at night with milk or a little more gradual and eliminate one of the two nursing sessions and then do the other one.

I had one more thought, perhaps you could show her a calendar and circle a day in the future to say you are a big girl and that is the day we have no more milk from mommy. Then talk to her about it and prep her for it while gradually reducing feedings.

Message edited 12/27/2008 12:00:15 AM.

Re: BFing Toddler Mommies-how did you wean?

I have no specific advice on weaning a toddler b/c I stopped when DS was 10 mos but, I wanted to answer your post b/c I had the SAME conflicted emotions. I was a mess - I wanted to stop but at the same time I was SO sad to stop. I wanted him to happily take the bottle and not miss nursing but when he did it made me sad. I kept putting off the "last" time... But, I think ALOT of that is the hormones that go along with stopping b/c I have to say a week or two later and then a month later I was SO glad to have my body totally back and I never felt sad about it at all after that. I never thought that would happen but it did - so don't worry you will feel that way too i bet GOOD LUCK i know it is hard

Re: BFing Toddler Mommies-how did you wean?

Sydney is only 16 months old - but I was tired of BFing...so this past weekend, I just stopped cold turkey. She didn't even seem to care. But I was only BFing at night...she hasn't "asked" for it since. I also made sure to put the Boppy pillow away, since she would bring it to me at night when she got tired.

Re: BFing Toddler Mommies-how did you wean?

When I weaned DD at 16 months I just had to tell her "Not now" and be consistent with it. Every time she asked I would say that and eventually she just stopped. Distraction was key as well. I would offer her something else instead.

Good luck I know how hard it is and it is very emotional for both of you

Message edited 12/27/2008 7:15:16 AM.

Re: BFing Toddler Mommies-how did you wean?

We just weaned at almost 14 months and I felt that she needed the nighttime feeding more so I cut out the morning one first. I made it a point to sit with her and feed her the bottle/sippy of milk and reassure her the whole time. She liked to give me her hand all the time to kiss so I made sure we still did that. I hum the same songs and otherwise keep the same routine. She really was ready. I sort of wasn't but I'm trying to deal.

Good luck and great job!