Tips to help us both through stopping BF after 17 months, please!

[HouseOfGruffalo]

DS is 17 months (also have older DD). I need to stop BF in order to take medication that isn't OK with BFeeding, and in theory I'm fine with stopping BF now as I've never wanted to continue far past toddlerdom (although no criticism of those who do extended feeding, of course). Anyway, we're down to 2 feeds a day, first thing and bedtime. This am I didn't feed him when he work, DH took him straight downstairs and he was pretty much ok, but I'm dreading stopping the bedtime feed! The thought of the little voice, "Mummeeeeeee!" - I'm getting really upset already! Any tips? - He's not a fan of cow's milk, either, which doesn't help. The plan is to stop the bedtime feeds next week. (Sob!)
TIA
(Am really busy so please forgive me if I can't get back onto MNET much to reply to any kind replies.....)

[HouseOfGruffalo]

'woke' not 'work' of course.
Oh dear, I sound really pathetic.....

HOG

[peterbaby]

Am in the same situation myself, DD is 18 months and I am exhausted with BF. She can now say "milk" and pulls up my top ( no matter what we are doing or where we are) when i say no or offer juice/ distraction a massive tantrum ensues. I am trying to persevere in the hope that DD will eventually forget about it, but it is really hard. Good luck - let me know how you get on. : )

[HouseOfGruffalo]

It is draining, isn't it? (Sorry, no pun intended there). I got ds down to the 2 feeds a day by over time only offering feeds in certain rooms at certain times so that he got used to that as his routine. It must be really difficult to have a LO wanting to help themselves all the time. I think I read on here once a tip for cutting down with older ones, 'never offer, never refuse' - but if they're asking all the time that probably doesn't help!
I think my problem stems from the fact that I have rather low self-esteem - especially in my parenting skills - and I worry that when I'm no longer feeding ds, he won't love me any more
Anyone else got any tips for those of us wanting to stop, then? Please??? How can we minimise the trauma???
Thanks again,
HOG

[sha11]

may some odd but try wrapping a few strands of hair around, they hate the feelof it and when thirsty will have cows milk.

[HouseOfGruffalo]

Thanks, Sha11 - not heard that one before!
HOG