Tips for stopping bf 18 month old who loves bf :-(

[bobsmum]

Dd is just over 18 months old. She has a bf at bedtime and very occasionally during the day if she gets really distressed about something.

I don't really want to make her give up; ds self weaned at 17 months and it was all very civilised with no tears. But now dd has all her teeth and we're down to one feed a day it really hurts!

Her latch was always rubbish due to her tongue tie, which eventually stretched, but her canines are reeeeeally pointy so it's not just normal feeding discomfort, it's sore! Plus on a purely selfish note I'd like dh to be able to put her to bed every so often.

How can I stop without tears? She doesn't like milk in a cup.

[fishie]

just get dh to do bedtime without milk, she won't expect bf from him and i'm sure it will be fine.

[fishie]

that was a bit shorter than i meant, was under toddler attack on his way to bed . ds is 20m. i bf in the morning, somtimes in the evening but never at bedtime - often i leave for work before he's woken up but usually end up feeding once a day. do really think the dh thing will help you though, no point in putting yr dd through unncessary upset.

[bobsmum]

Thanks fishie .

Will definitely give it a shot! I suspect giving her to dh is the best way, but I know I'll hear her asking for me over the monitor "mummmmeeeeee wheyaaarrroooooo?"


The only thing is I keep looking at her and thinking "ok just one more night..." and then when the next bedtime feed starts I think "flippin eck this has to stop!"

Ho hum...

[beansprout]

Ds is 2 and has always been b/fed at bedtime. That said, dh has put him to bed a few times recently and it has been surprisingly painless, so it may be worth a go. Good luck!

[donnacb]

My ds is just over two and have finally given up breast feeding new years eve. Its not been easy as he loves mummy milk but like you his teeth are sharp and im 19 weeks pregnant and had just had enough. 3 nights a week he goes to bed without me or milk as im at work but when im here he expects me to be there. We have had screaming and tantrums and the first night it took him 1 hour to settle the second night 5 mins and last night back to normal. It is hard to give up when you know it causes such distress but im hoping it will be short term for him. We still read our books and once hes calmed down from trying to throw himself on the floor he snuggles in to me in the same position as breast feeding and has a cup of water if he wants a drink. I think its a security and reassurance thing so im hoping the cuddles will replace the breast feeding and comfort. Good luck but be consistant. I told ds that hes a big boy and only babies have mummy milk and because of this mummy milk has run out and theres none left. Good luck its hard buut its nice to have my boobs back for a bit b4 baby 2 arrives

[bobsmum]

It's definitely a comfort thing for dd and part of her routine. She now insists that 3 cuddly toys also get brought along too.

So! Cold turkey then? Hand her to dh on thhe way to bed and disappear?

Hopefully I'll be able to sneak some cuddles back into bedtime without her demanding "mummy mulch" and looking up at me through her gorgeous enormous eyelashes.....must resist....

Thanks everyone. Will try to bite the bullet.