https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 26 Apr 2026 14:18:29 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-how-you-weaned-your-boob-loving-18-24-month-old#post-2170400 Thu, 07 May 2015 10:38:55 +0000 jetsa 2170400@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: Aren't the snuggles so nice? My son has been weaned for almost 8 months (darn pregnancy) but every morning if I'm not the one to get him out of his crib he'll run to me when I come down the stairs and say momma and just want a hug. I love it. As little miss will be here anytime, it makes me less nervous that he'll feel abandoned when I'm taking care of her. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-how-you-weaned-your-boob-loving-18-24-month-old#post-2170329 Thu, 07 May 2015 10:02:08 +0000 daniellemybelle 2170329@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Pirouette: @Foodnerd81: Thank you! It's been 48 hours since we last nursed and I just feel full... Hoping to not have any real discomfort and that the physical "urge" to nurse passes soon. She has asked half-heartedly a few times (I think more out of curiosity?) and when I say no, she's more than happy to snuggle, which makes me so happy. Snuggling is so much more fun when your kid isn't dangling from your boob! But it is still hard to say no :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-how-you-weaned-your-boob-loving-18-24-month-old#post-2167892 Tue, 05 May 2015 14:16:41 +0000 Foodnerd81 2167892@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: we had a similar situation- I would have to ask a couple of times if she wanted to nurse every night, so I knew she was ready. I'm so glad I knew it was the end so I could really savor it. And it did still make me sad, even though I am so happy with how it ended. I'm tearing up right now- but I'll just blame pregnancy hormones for that. I also took some selfies the last night. Congrats on a wonderful breastfeeding journey. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-how-you-weaned-your-boob-loving-18-24-month-old#post-2167757 Tue, 05 May 2015 13:21:32 +0000 Pirouette 2167757@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: oh wow!! congrats mama, that is pretty amazing. it's like you guys weaned at the exact same time, which is kinda perfect. it's totally normal to be a little sad about it or ambivalent. but it really sounds like the best case scenario. :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-how-you-weaned-your-boob-loving-18-24-month-old#post-2167693 Tue, 05 May 2015 12:39:02 +0000 daniellemybelle 2167693@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hilsy85: @twodoghouse: Thanks ladies. It is pretty surreal. I am having moments of wondering if we should really be done but I think there's no going back - and I'm glad we had a good, present last session. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-how-you-weaned-your-boob-loving-18-24-month-old#post-2167631 Tue, 05 May 2015 12:01:53 +0000 twodoghouse 2167631@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-how-you-weaned-your-boob-loving-18-24-month-old#post-2167626 Tue, 05 May 2015 11:59:40 +0000 hilsy85 2167626@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: hugs mama!! you are amazing for nursing as long as you did! and what a great, if bittersweet, end. :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-how-you-weaned-your-boob-loving-18-24-month-old#post-2167424 Tue, 05 May 2015 10:00:14 +0000 daniellemybelle 2167424@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>UPDATE - Only a week later, I am pretty sure we had our last nursing session this morning :crying: </p> <p>It took just a few days of tantrums for afternoon nursing during which I offered snacks, juice and cuddles, and she stopped asking for it. She now asks for "banket" instead, and we snuggle on the couch with a special blanket and she gives me open mouthed kisses :heart: </p> <p>Once she truly dropped the afternoon session, it feels like she forgot about nursing. She hasn't been asking to nurse when she wakes up in the morning but I have been offering because I don't want to get up for the day yet. This morning she actually slept until 7:30am so I was already up. After I got her, I took her in our room where we nurse every morning, and the bed was made, and she kind of just looked around and then pointed to the TV - "Watch?" I was like, ".....um, nurse?" And then she goes, "Oh! Nurse!" At that point I knew that I am keeping it going more than her. So we sat and nursed and I took selfies and cried a little and I think that was it. Hard to believe! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-how-you-weaned-your-boob-loving-18-24-month-old#post-2159613 Tue, 28 Apr 2015 12:08:08 +0000 daniellemybelle 2159613@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Pirouette: So crazy that 1 1/2 years ago, it felt like no small feat to GET her to nurse! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-how-you-weaned-your-boob-loving-18-24-month-old#post-2159491 Tue, 28 Apr 2015 11:06:01 +0000 Pirouette 2159491@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: congrats!! good work, that is no small feat! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-how-you-weaned-your-boob-loving-18-24-month-old#post-2159439 Tue, 28 Apr 2015 10:32:12 +0000 daniellemybelle 2159439@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks everyone! We actually made it through the whole afternoon and evening yesterday with no nursing and only two tantrums! She went to bed without nursing which is typical for her and STTN. She woke up at 5:45am and I considered just trudging forward but decided I am not 100% ready to be DONE so I nursed her in bed and she fell back asleep until 7am like she usually does. Going to try to keep up with no afternoon sessions today though! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-how-you-weaned-your-boob-loving-18-24-month-old#post-2159391 Tue, 28 Apr 2015 10:02:37 +0000 Pirouette 2159391@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO is only a 16 months boob monster, but we are in the process of weaning and have gotten her down to 1 time before bed and 1 time when she first wakes up. we dropped all daytime and after work sessions with lots of distractions (tv and cookies for the win!) She did great with it as soon as she understood the rules - no nursing unless it's bedtime or early morning. I thought she'd be all or nothing, but she's definitely not, so slow weaning is working for us.</p> <p>Unfortunately, our weaning process also included getting rid of her 1 MOTN nursing session, which has led to her shifting her wakeup time from 7am to 5am, so now we're suddenly in your boat. there's just no option other than bringing her into bed. I have no idea how to shift that 5am session other than either scream it out for an hour (ugh!) or get out of bed at 5 and feed her breakfast (ugh!) anyway, i hope you find what works for you, i feel your pain! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-how-you-weaned-your-boob-loving-18-24-month-old#post-2159328 Tue, 28 Apr 2015 09:26:46 +0000 HTownMom 2159328@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My LO is 21 months and we are in the same predicament. I'm leaving this weekend for 3 days and so I'm going to try to dry up the supply so there will really be no milk when I get back. It's going to be hard for sure, she is all about the boob! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-how-you-weaned-your-boob-loving-18-24-month-old#post-2159078 Tue, 28 Apr 2015 00:45:09 +0000 808love 2159078@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I waited until 25 months!! Haha :) it was so hard.... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-how-you-weaned-your-boob-loving-18-24-month-old#post-2158820 Mon, 27 Apr 2015 17:29:10 +0000 anbanan15 2158820@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Mine oldest self-weaned at 21 mo. He was completely obsessed with nursing, but one night he just went to bed without it and slept all night. I didn't offer in the morning and he never asked for it again. He had BM until 25-26 mo because I had a ton saved. </p> <p>My second is still nursing at 17 mo and I'm secretly hoping she will do the same as he did....sooner rather than later too. I'm pregnant with our 3rd and don't really know how much she is getting anyway and think it is more for comfort at this point. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-how-you-weaned-your-boob-loving-18-24-month-old#post-2158771 Mon, 27 Apr 2015 16:08:44 +0000 daniellemybelle 2158771@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Kemma: It's hard to snuggle her when the closer she is to my boobs the more she wants them. I can't even sit down around her because sitting down equals nurse.</p> <p>I staved off the 3pm post-daycare session with a big snack and some apple juice only diluted 50% which is a pretty good treat around here! She still had a tantrum but moved on pretty quickly! We'll see if we can make it the rest of the day... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-how-you-weaned-your-boob-loving-18-24-month-old#post-2158669 Mon, 27 Apr 2015 14:42:04 +0000 Kemma 2158669@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I really believe that when it comes to toddlers, nursing is almost more about the connection and the time with Mum rather than the milk so perhaps it might help to offer extra cuddles and attention during the day so LO doesn't feel like she's lost that connection?</p> <p>Otherwise I don't really have any advice as I'm still nursing my 2.5yo once a day! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-how-you-weaned-your-boob-loving-18-24-month-old#post-2158573 Mon, 27 Apr 2015 13:36:16 +0000 littlebittyhouse 2158573@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>FWIW we successfully dropped the daytime feedings for my boob monster and just kept the evening one for about 6 months. Distraction, some tears and lots of snacks for a few days while we got rid of those daytime ones. Nightime I did the bandaid trick. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-how-you-weaned-your-boob-loving-18-24-month-old#post-2158470 Mon, 27 Apr 2015 12:42:51 +0000 Foodnerd81 2158470@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Slightly different situation since my LO mostly self weaned, but once she dropped a session, I would just say, oh no, it's not time for milk right now. Do you want milk from the fridge? Or offer a snack or other distraction. She actually dropped the morning one on her own, which really surprised me. After a couple of days of not asking for it, when she did again I just said it isn't time. </p> <p>After she dropped the final nursing session, a few days later she did ask for it and now I just tell her, I'm sorry, there's no more milk there. Do you want milk from the fridge? </p> <p>Also, once she had completely dropped the morning session, I was able to go and lay down with her in the morning and get her back to sleep with just snuggles, no nursing! So possibly you will have a rough couple of weeks, but once she is really weaned, you can go back to the morning snuggles for more sleep, if you want to. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-how-you-weaned-your-boob-loving-18-24-month-old#post-2158454 Mon, 27 Apr 2015 12:35:04 +0000 hilsy85 2158454@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: yep I totally get it--it's like by weaning you're denying comfort, love, connection (not in actuality but that's what it felt like to me!). Just remember those are your own thoughts/issues, and I am positive that your LO does not feel that way in the slightest, and is prob just pissed that she can't have what she wants when she wants it--just like every other toddler! :) </p> <p>Yeah...I would just resign yourself to getting less sleep for a few weeks. I personally would never get LO out of bed at 5, even if he's screaming--I'd make him wait til 530, 6 if DH and I could bear it. You could try leaving some books and toys in her crib. At that age she should be able to understand if you go in and say it's still night time, time to lie down and go to sleep, which is what we do. It doesn't always work but sometimes! It might take a while but i'm sure she will work it out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-how-you-weaned-your-boob-loving-18-24-month-old#post-2158451 Mon, 27 Apr 2015 12:33:11 +0000 daniellemybelle 2158451@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Freckles: See my comment to Hilsy85 above... She only falls back asleep in bed with us. So we may have to just give up and accept that she will get up for the day earlier! Boo! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-how-you-weaned-your-boob-loving-18-24-month-old#post-2158450 Mon, 27 Apr 2015 12:32:28 +0000 Truth Bombs 2158450@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Could you spend a couple nights away from her? And then when you get back just continue to not nurse. I found my LO finally got over it when I was gone and it wasn't an option. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-how-you-weaned-your-boob-loving-18-24-month-old#post-2158448 Mon, 27 Apr 2015 12:31:58 +0000 daniellemybelle 2158448@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hilsy85: You're right, it's just that nursing has so many emotions rolled up in it, especially because I had low supply so it's hard to move away from that mentality of "PROTECT THE SUPPLY" and being so glad she wants to nurse... And I also feel guilty on the days that I work and I know she wants to nurse to reconnect.</p> <p>We have tried CIO for when she wakes up early, and it does not work at all. She is just not tired enough to fall back asleep on her own. She'll just cry until she's over it and then she'll talk (and yell) to herself until we come get her. So I guess she will just start waking up at like 5am for the day and we will all get by on less sleep? Ugh.</p> <p>For MOTN wake-ups when she's been sick we have brought her in bed with us and she will actually fall asleep without nursing if I rub her back. It would be amazing if we could get to that for early morning wake-ups but I am afraid her desire to nurse is just too strong. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-how-you-weaned-your-boob-loving-18-24-month-old#post-2158444 Mon, 27 Apr 2015 12:28:45 +0000 Freckles 2158444@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: I agree you may have to do some kind of CIO or have DH go in for that morning wake up. She would wake up at 5am for her morning feed and we eventually did CIO...took about 1 week. If you don't want to go that route, DH may have to be the one to go in and settle her down until she stops waking up for it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-how-you-weaned-your-boob-loving-18-24-month-old#post-2158440 Mon, 27 Apr 2015 12:25:07 +0000 hilsy85 2158440@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: I guess you have to look at it as you would any toddler behavior, after a certain point. Like, if my LO was throwing a tantrum because he wanted 10 cookies, I wouldn't give in. I would let him have his tantrum and say "cookies are all gone. what about xyz?:". iT seems harder/more painful when it's about nursing, but the idea is the same. </p> <p>As for the morning, we had never ever skipped it either--I ended up spending the night away from him for the first time at 18 months, and that was the first time we skipped. When I came home, I just kept up the routine of not nursing in the morning. You will prob have to do some sort of CIO with her I imagine to get her to go back to sleep :( what does she do if you're away from her for the night? does she get a bottle? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-how-you-weaned-your-boob-loving-18-24-month-old#post-2158438 Mon, 27 Apr 2015 12:24:42 +0000 daniellemybelle 2158438@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Freckles: She dropped the bedtime session on her own shockingly. We only nurse in the morning which could almost be considered nighttime nursing because she falls back asleep, and then once or twice during the day depending on what we are doing, if she went to daycare, etc. She asks much more often than that.</p> <p>I would be okay with cutting out daytime nursing and keeping the morning session but I don't think that will work for her. I know her and I think she needs to know the boobs are closed for business! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-how-you-weaned-your-boob-loving-18-24-month-old#post-2158435 Mon, 27 Apr 2015 12:22:41 +0000 daniellemybelle 2158435@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hilsy85: At a certain point there is NO distracting her. She starts crying and screaming, "NURSE, NURSE, NURSE!" :bummed: </p> <p>I am especially nervous about what to do with the morning session because we have NEVER skipped it except for the rare occasion that she is with another caregiver. She needs to go back to sleep (she wakes up between 4:30 &amp; 6 and nurse-snoozes in bed until 7ish) but I am afraid she won't and then she will be cranky from sleep AND boob deprivation! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-how-you-weaned-your-boob-loving-18-24-month-old#post-2158428 Mon, 27 Apr 2015 12:20:09 +0000 Freckles 2158428@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Distraction for daytime nursing and I made DH put her to bed for a week. Do you think you could do it gradually? Cut out daytime nursing first, then nighttime nursing? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-how-you-weaned-your-boob-loving-18-24-month-old#post-2158423 Mon, 27 Apr 2015 12:18:22 +0000 hilsy85 2158423@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Distract distract distract! With snacks, toys, tv, whatever it takes. That's what we had to do. And he still really wanted to nurse at times when he was upset. But for the most part, it took about 2-3 weeks and he was totally done.</p> <p>ETA morning session was the hardest to cut out because I loved the extra sleep! But he didn't really miss it, and I just steeled myself to get up instead of getting to lie in bed for a while. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-how-you-weaned-your-boob-loving-18-24-month-old#post-2158417 Mon, 27 Apr 2015 12:14:50 +0000 daniellemybelle 2158417@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think we're ready. Her latch has gotten lazy and nursing hurts. I feel annoyed by it now, and embarrassed when she asks to nurse in public. We have tried to establish "nursing manners," but I have failed and I feel like it would honestly just be easier to go ahead and wean. I don't offer except in the mornings when it buys me more sleep, and I tell her "not right now" fairly often when it is not a good time - I try to keep it to two times a day, but sometimes I give in.</p> <p>I think we will need to go cold turkey because of her total love for the boob. I've heard of putting something sour on your nipples, or band-aids and saying the nurse has boo-boos... I am very open to suggestions that have worked for others! </p>