Thinking about giving it up

[JimJamsMum]

I'm pretty sure someone will be able to help me. I have been BF for the past year and a bit and am ready for DS to start giving it up. I thought I was making progress when he was down to 1 feed a day but now he has started comfort feeding several times a day. I have tried giving him his dummy instead but he only wants boob. I would like to start cutting his feeds down without it becoming a big issue with him. I want to start TTC sometime this year but also want to give my body a break for a few months before getting pregnant. Does anyone have any suggestions? How old were other bubs when they gave it up by themselves? Thanks for your help.

[Areca]

I think it's going to be hard if he is seriously determined. I cut out DD1's comfort feeds at around 11 months and it wasn't really an issue. Just cuddled her instead and within 3 days she stopped asking for that feed. She was fully weaned by 14 months.

Maybe you could just distract him with something completely different? A game, have some special toys put away for those particular itmes etc. Sorry not a lot of help really. If he really wants it he probably isn't going to be distracted easily though. Also make sure he always has access to a sippy cup of water. When DD1 would ask for a bf I would offer her the sippy cup and most times she'd refuse and then she'd just start taking it.

Congratulations for breastfeeding for as long as you have BTW!!!!

[jaq]

I'm getting close to this stage with DD2. I want to maintain my supply until after our hols next week, and then wean. With DD1, I simply substituted bm for warmed cows milk in a sippy cup at bedtime, served up with lots of cuddles in our special breastfeeding chair at the same time I would usually feed. Usually took just a few days until the cup was the preferred mode of milk delivery!

DD2 already has a cup at lunchtime and BF morning and evening; I'll drop the morning feed in May and then the evening feed in June.

Hopefully it will be painfree for us all :thumbsup:

[draught]

I am down to two feeds a day now - because I discovered that often when he was looking for a comfort feed offering him a cup of water or milk was enough to keep him happy. He actually likes to hold on to a cup of water while going to sleep - doesn't drink from it, just grips the handle for dear life. Which is fine until the cup spills, drenches the bed, etc........so it needs some refining! But I have been able to regulate my feeding a bit more anyway.