Weaning. Am I doing this right? Having doubts too.(LONG)

Ugh! I'm trying to wean my 11 month-old. I don't know if I'm doing it right and sometimes I get this feeling that maybe I shouldn't continue, I just don't know.

My DS is 11 months old and 26lbs. That being said, he's the worst nurser. I don't know how he's so big. He nurses for 2-3 minutes at most at each feeding during the day. Our nursing session before bedtime is usually our best. He still wakes at night and nurses then too. He wakes 1-2 times a night and sometimes nurses well, sometimes barely, so I don't think it's necessarily hunger.

I basically nurse him 4 times per day - wake-up, 11am, 3 pm, bedtime (times fluctuate but generally these times.) I decided 2 weeks ago when I went back to NY (relocated OOS in May) that I was cutting out the 11am nursing session and replacing with pumped milk in a bottle. I have 400 oz frozen, figured I might as well use them. My dad was having chemo and radiation so my mom giving him a bottle allowed me to go to my dad's apptmts.

2.5 weeks later, my boobs still feel really full and hard around 11. I thought it would be better by now. I don't nurse him again until the afternoon.

He's not a great nurser but the thing is that he's not a great bottle drinker either. I have to hold toys above his head to get him to drink more than 2 oz. He has maybe 5. He doesn't eat a huge amt of solids yet he keeps gaining weight. I just don't know.

Don't know why I'm attached to the idea of him nursing. I FF my 1st bc of medical complications I had and felt such guilt for over 1 yr. With DS2, i was determined to BF and really worked hard at it and pumped until 4 weeks bc he couldn't latch but I've never enjoyed it like I thought I would. Just not sure what to do anymore.

Message edited 8/7/2014 3:25:50 PM.

Weaning. Am I doing this right? Having doubts too.(LONG)

The nursing relationship is so unique and complex. You'll know without a doubt when it's time to be done. I started weaning at 20 months and we were completely weaned by 23 months or so. I just felt like I'd had enough. I never had one of those I LOVE THIS relationships with nursing at least not at the onset.

You've done an amazing job getting this far, maybe just cut back one feeding at a time and replace it with a bottle of some special mommy/son time. As you know, nursing is often for comfort so provide him with that and see how you feel.

Just want to add, if he's gaining weight, he's clearly a wonderful nurser! Children are so much more efficient than any pump so just because he nurses for a short period doesn't mean he isn't getting enough.

Hugs to you! I know this isn't easy, I've been there!

Re: Weaning. Am I doing this right? Having doubts too.(LONG)

I weaned around the same time as you and it also didn't feel right but it was. It's a hard thing to do. I had to just eventually cut her out cold turkey and it was a hard two days but then it was over and she finally slept thru the night too. almost made me wish i did it sooner but even to this day i miss breastfeeding. its so special.

Re: Weaning. Am I doing this right? Having doubts too.(LONG)

When i weaned off the pump at work at 14 months, it took me a long time for it to become comfortable (i started at 12 months and took it slow). So I dont think it's that strange for you to still feel full 2.5w later. It sounds like he's a typical nursing 11 month old- mine didnt really nurse for a long time at that point either. Life gets super interesting and they were better at nursing right before bed when they were sleepy and the lights were low. Good luck with whatever you decide, and great job!