Weaning My 2 Yr Old from Breastfeeding

My daughter was in LOVE with the boob. She snacked often and was quite the stinker if she was denied. What I did: My daughter got a virus where she threw up every time she nursed (or ate anything, but when they are sick, they want to nurse). She she didn't want it anyway, I told her that mommy's milk was making her sick because her tummy was too full of it. Since then, I tell her mommy's milk is all gone because she drank it all up. She accepts that pretty seamlessly. I hope I don't sound heartless, it was very painless for both of us.

My kids were attached to pacifiers. I also breastfed all three of them. It may be a little difficult at first (more so for you). There always seems to be a little feeling of guilt for us moms with taking something harmless and soothing from your child. I think it will be even harder the longer you wait, and if you wait too long, he may even remember breastfeeding, which could be more traumatizing later. There are so many other ways to show love for your child. He will know that you are still his #1. Weaning him will not change that.

I would say do it very slowly. Distract him when he comes up to nurse and eventually cut out one nursing session at a time.

There is nothing wrong with nursing for comfort. I used to love doing that with my children. It finally got to a point where I was just nursing them at night for comfort. Before you know it, he won't want much to do with mom so enjoy this time. :)

Sometimes it's not this easy, but I weaned my daughter 2 weeks after her 2nd birthday by telling her, "You drank up all Mommy's milkies! Would you like some moo-moo milk instead?" She still asks occasionally (she's 2 and a half), but I always respond with the same, "They're all gone. You drank them all up!" She had only been nursing once a week or so, anyway, so I doubt I had much left at the time.

I weaned my son just a little before his 2nd birthday. We did not have a lot of problems. I know you worry after all that time they will be traumatized. I did it VERY gradually. He cut down a lot. He was active and like your son was a good eater. He was really just nursing first thing in the morning, naptime and before bed. First, we went to just bedtime and first thing in the morning. After about two months we went to once a day. He seemed to give up the bedtime nursing easier, so we just did the morning. Then after another two months we stopped nursing every morning. It was every other or third day for a bit. Then, It tapered off to nothing. I kept up the communication with my son the whole time. We talked about him growing up and still being my special boy. We made our bedtime routine longer ... more reading, more cuddling and more bedtime songs. We still have a long bedtime routine, but it is nice to have the time together just us. He is over three now and is a happy well adjusted boy. I hope this helps. Good luck!!!!

I have heard and my sister did it this way, You give them a pacafier.Yes, even at 2yrs old. Then of course wean them from that..S.

Don't offer, Don't ask. And when it's time for nap, have dad put him down instead of you. And when it's just you and him you could reason with him and let him know he can have just a little bit. Shorter feedings and less frequent and before you know it, he'll have forgotten those days.

I have a 2yo who is still nursing, too. We have recently restricted nursing to a certain chair in the house. It's in her room, so it's not too distracting for her. Often, she doesn't want to go up there and will find something else to do. It certainly helped us! (She's not weaned yet, but I think it won't be too long.) I think a slow, gentle process is always the best thing--take your time and you'll still be meeting her needs!

Hi A.,
I breast fed my daughter until she was almost three. During the last year or so, it was mostly just a comfort for her (like you said, a pacifier), and it was sort of nice in that it was a special bond that we had. Towards the end, I was totally ready to quit, but I didn't intend to press the issue. When she was almost three, I went away for several days, and she stayed with my parents. My daughter tried to nurse the day I got back, and she said it tasted "yucky". Whenever she tried to nurse after that, I reminded her that it didn't taste good, and I offered her something yummy instead. It ended up being a painless transition for both of us.

I know not everyone has the luxury of being able to get away for a few days, and I'm not even sure that everyone's breast milk flavor would change after a short time (maybe my daughter just didn't remember what it tasted like?). But maybe there's some food that you could eat or a supplement you could take that would change the flavor to something mildly unpleasant...

Good luck! :) I. :)

A.,
Try pumping and putting your milk in his sippy cup a couple of times with his meals(you may have to hold him while he drinks so that hes still near you). You can slowly wean him that way by mixing regular milk with yours until hes on all milk.
Good Luck!
R.

I breastfed both of my children. I wouldn't call it traumatizing, it is called discipline. I breastfed my daughter for 1 year and my son for 10 months. They began to bite and chew on my breast around 5 or 6 months. I wanted to stop then, but I had to continue with my daughter because she was allergic to dairy products. My son was not, so I was able to stop him early. It only took a few days for them to get used to the fact that I could not breastfeed them anymore. Yes, I had to endure the crying, but life is not free from children trying to have their way. We have to be strong enough to say no, and help them to know that they must be able to obey.
I started getting my children used to the cup at six months. My daughter could drink juice and water, so that is what I gave her along with the breast. They both knew how to drink from a cup when it was time to give up the breast.
I say pray for guidance and stregnth.
God bless,
M.

What worked with both my children(both weened at 2 yrs)I first limited nursing to just naptime and bedtime. They would ask to nurse and I would defer them. I said that there was not a lot of milk left and so we could only nurse at these times. I empathized when they felt sad but stuck to it. I explained that mamas bodies make milk for their babies and my body knew that my baby was getting older getting energy from eating fruits and vegetables etc...... so I don't make much milk any more. I then started at nap time to say "oh no, we'll nurse at bed time but we can cuddle now and i'll get you some water if you want". this sometimes works and sometimes not. I combined this with arranging to be out of the house more at key sleep times when they really wanted to nurse- I'd take them out in the stroller or I'd go for a drive and let them fall asleep in the car- bring a book or a magazine, a journal- something to do so they get their nap. they got used to falling asleep w/o nursing without really making it an issue. When they asked about nursing I would say things like, " are you feeling like a baby? do you want me to hold you like a little baby?" Maybee your husband could try bed time a couple nights a week ( this was really hard for us but would've been helpful) if you can be out of the house or just unavailable at key nursing times they gain confidence that they can soothe themselves. This is a good topic to ask around about because what works for one kid doesn't for another so good to have a lot of opinions and in the end- you know your child and remember when they are screaming and pulling at your shirt that this too shall pass:)

Dear A.,
My daughter is a breastfeeding peer counselor and you can contact her at ____@____.com She might have some good ideas for you.
Good luck
P. R.

I breastfed all 3 of my children and each was different with weaning. It really depends on the child and their temperment. I suggest weaning slowly, cutting out one nursing time for a few days to a week and then cutting out another. When I weaned the kids, I would just cuddle more and try to hold off nursing, and since your son is eating well, you could offer a healthy snack - some apple slices or crackers, etc. It took a while to wean completely, but I went down very slowly, until we were just a one nursing per day and then, it was easier on the kids. Good Luck!