dd self weaning and really sad

[reallytired]

My 20 month old has lost interest in breastfeeding. She prefers to drink milk out of a cup.

I feel very low at the moment. I am not ready to wean, but she has other ideas.

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Feel for you reallytired, it can be hard when bfing comes to an end. You'll still have lots of cuddles though.

[Babieseverywhere]

It is hard when your child is losing interest in something which you value. Though it can often be a temporary thing, I can't count the number of times I thought my 4.3 year old DD was going to wean, even going as long as 5 days without nursing and yet she returns to the breast with no encouragement from me.

How long has it been since your DD nursed ? If it has been several days, this might partial explain feeling low as your hormones are boosted positivally whilst feeding and you are not getting that boost at the moment.

The nursing relationship really is a two way road and if you are not ready to wean, than Kellymom has some hints on ensuring that the child is really ready to wean and that the mother isn't giving premature weaning hints to the child. Read this

There is nothing wrong with encouraging your child to nurse, offering feeds when the child usually nurses. Indeed 'don't offer, don't refuse' is a weaning technique.

If you want to continue to nurse, read the Kellymom article and make sure you are not restricting or putting off feeds and look at the positive ways to encourage her to feed.

Then if she continues to wean you will know in your heart, you did everything you could and it was the right time for her.

Best of luck.