How did you wean?

[OsMalleytheCat]

DS is soon to be one, and I've decided a year is long enough!
But he is complete and utter boob fiend, he will take a bottle from DH if I'm not at home but all though the night he wakes and will only settle on the boob.
So, wise ladies of MN, how did you do it? Any top tips? Or is it going to be a case of perseverance and tears hoping you all have a magic solution

[Sootgremlin]

I didn't wean till gone 2, but basically did it over a number of weeks cutting down a feed at a time. It was then less of a thing for him to give up and also gradual enough that I didn't suffer from engorgement etc at giving up too quickly.

So for daytime, start with the easiest feed to cut out, use distraction, cup, snack, whatever works, then leave it to 'bed in' for a week before tackling the next. I also only fed in certain places, say a chair upstairs, so that made it easier to not say 'no' but 'not here'. Not sure how that would go with a younger baby.

It might be best to start with night weaning, and for that you will probably need to enlist your DH's help. My ds used to feed all the night, we replaced me with DH rocking and soothing him for as long as he could and gradually eked out the time so it was longer between feeds and after a week or two he started to sleep longer and wake less for feeds. Was hard at first but not distressing, if he got too upset, he got boob, a lot of the time he was happy with DH and a resettle. Look up Jay Gordon night weaning, he has good tips on doing it gently.

Good luck!

[OsMalleytheCat]

Thank you for pointing me in the direction of Jay Gordon, I've never heard of him before, and so far the best sleep solution I've read!