Weaning from breast = clinginess?

[lyndyloo]

I suppose I know the answer to this but still would like advice.

After alot of deliberation decided to wean 16m old DD from breast. Am happy to keep am and bedtime feed but am refusing daytimes. She has taken it better than I though - a bit of whingeing but no full on tantrums really. However her behaviour has been a bit unusual. She is unsettled at night (when she had been sleeping through) and varies between being very clingy with me to being obviously irritated by me! Shakes her head when I try to engage with her, frowns etc!

I guess this weaning is difficult for her. She'll get over it though won't she? I feel guilty as it is so feel worse now!!!!

Any advice or experiences?

[glaskham]

i never had this stage with my two....i made a point of every 3 hrs when they would have a feed to give them a cup of juice or milk and sit them on my knee and have a cuddle while drinking....it helped me a lot... dont know if you are doing this or thinking that having that closness may mke her want more breastmilk? none of my two asked for it as they happily had a cup of juice and liked to cuddle me in silence!!!

and also my dd still has her afternoon nap in my arms at 19m and i never want her to stop feeling like this? maybe you could do this with your dd if you are a SAHM??? it would help you still feel needed by her, and she will still have the closeness with you that she got while breastfeeding.

[lyndyloo]

She will only drink water but I will try it. I have been giving her more cuddles as compensation.

[lyndyloo]

Anyone else? I feel really sad as daughter seems a bit fed up to say the least. She's just not her usual jolly self and feel it's my fault. I am still giving her bm at morning and evening but she seems in such a nark now.

She'll get over it won't she? Still giving lots of cuddles.

[glaskham]

bumping for you!!

[laundrylover]

Hi Lyndy,

Yes of course she'll get over it! You know it may not be entirely linked with the weaning anyway - maybe she is just going through a clingy stage. I don't feed my 19mo during the day anymore unless she is a bit poorly and never when we are out and about. She was a bit put out at first but if she asks for booby I just distract her and she quickly forgets.

I do find it's good for her to go without as now I can go away for a night (did 2 nights for DPs 40th ) and she doesn't fret. She also is happier spending time with her Dad as being bfed for longer than DD1 she has always been a mummy's girl.

Still feed her morning and night BTW when I'm at home.

[lyndyloo]

Thanks and thanks glaskham for bumping.

I have caved and given her bf a couple of times during day but am still working hard to get her off. Fingers crossed!