Talk

Flip

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Infant feeding

OK, so how do I stop BF 19 month old?

10 replies

TicTacsMum · 14/07/2007 20:59

DD is 19 months and has a breastfeed on waking and last thing at night. I originally planned to bf for 6 months, then 12 and then if she hadn't weaned by 18 months but we're still at it!

I do feel the time is right now to stop but don't really know where to start. I've already changed her tooth brushing to after the evening feed so that the feed is no longer a trigger for sleep and tried to introduce a cup of milk with a story.

She took the milk really well for the first 2 nights (as well as a breastfeed) but on the third night she was really, really sick. I'm not sure if her stomach was just too full or if it was something else, which is quite likely as she continued being sick for about 4 hours. Since then she hasn't really been interested in drinking the cup of milk but will offer it to her teddies and ask for a drink from me.

I've seen it suggested that the length of the feed is cut down and may give that a try but whenever i've tried this before, dd seems to realise she's been short changed and is not happy!

I'm not really sure where to go from here and am also a bit apprehensive as whenever I've dropped feeds before it seems to send my hormones haywire. I get really down and it feels like horrendous PMT.

Hope someone can come up with suggestions.

OP posts:

Report

Feenie · 14/07/2007 21:07

This could have been me from the thread title! However, my ds feeds far more than 2 feeds a day, I couldn't count how many on some days. I want to stop now, too, I feel 19 months is old enough, and like you I only intended to bf for 5 months, but ds had other ideas. It also causes friction between me and dh. We have started by trying to stop night feeds, only one night in but hanging in there.
Sorry, have just realised I am no help whatsoever, but you have my sympathy and support!

Report

ProjectSeverus · 14/07/2007 21:22

hormone thing happens to everyone when they stop.

we introduced Dh with stories then a BF then eventually she started falling asleep with the story to get rid of the bedtime one. we introduced a cup of milk a few days later i think.

The morning one is still on the go - probably due to my own desires for more time in my bed lol! I have managed to miss it out quite a few times just by chaning the routine. Doing something else that they love is a good substitute until the hait is gone.

Dr sears good on night weaning iirc

link

Report

TicTacsMum · 14/07/2007 21:29

Thanks feenie -it helps even to know that others are in the same boat.

ProjectSeverus - thanks - will look at the link. I'm the same with the morning one - i'm not ready to get up for breakfast at 6 am!!

OP posts:

Report

TicTacsMum · 14/07/2007 21:32

I've just seen that the link is for night feeds. She does mostly sleep right through, thanks goodness!

OP posts:

Report

ProjectSeverus · 14/07/2007 21:41

fwiw i tried shortening feeds but just ended up with an angry dd. Not worth it i don't think.

Report

TicTacsMum · 14/07/2007 21:58

Hmmm, still not sure what to do. DD really knows her own mind and I do have reservations about shortening feeds.

Any other advice? Please?

OP posts:

Report

potoroo · 14/07/2007 22:19

I think DS wasn't interested in milk out of a cup at bed time either at around the same time. So I offered water instead which for some reason he was much happier with, and didn't care about missing the BF.

I did know that he was getting everything he needed during the day from food/milk though so he wasn't missing any nutrition from skipping milk at night IYSWIM.

Report

TicTacsMum · 14/07/2007 22:35

Potoroo - dd's diet isn't bad either so I don't suppose it would really have to be milk. I could just try to offer water I suppose. I really need to decide what to do and stick to if for a while to see if it works. I want to be consistent, whatever I decide.

OP posts:

Report

MrsBond · 15/07/2007 19:47

Hello Tic Tac - have seen your post on the other similar thread. Am also trying to stop with my DS who is 16 months.

I thought I might ask my DH to put him to bed (with me downstairs) - keep the routine the same so all the usual bedtime triggers but no mum - so no BF

DH is too scared of the potential tantrum if he reolises he's not getting mum but I think this could be a way.

Would be interested to hear other experiences

Report

TicTacsMum · 15/07/2007 21:52

MrsBond - know what you mean about the potential tantrum!

We've decided to leave things till Friday night so at least neither of us are working for a couple of days in case things kick off in a big way!