Toddler suddenly stopped breastfeeding

[Peppardew]

Hi sorry if not right place to post as son definitely not an infant, but at nearly 2 (in Jan) he's suddenly gone from feeding to sleep and through the night to wanting no milk at all. Pretty sure it's the result of having had hand foot and mouth at the start of the week but he seems to be pretty happy with his choice so obviously dont want to make him carry on if he doesn't want to, just feeling pretty sad about the suddeness of it all. Does anyone have any advice about how to handle a sudden stop, pretty scared about the impact of the hormone drop. Trying to focus on the positive fact stopping has been on his terms, bit furious with myself about how much it's upset me!

want

[Biboundeo]

Oh that’s very normal to feel very sad at the suddenness of it. Do you want to explore options to carry on? It might not have been your choice and at the same time, I can tell you that it’s probably the easier option, it can be soooo tricky to wean a 2+yo. It probably doesn’t change the fact that yes you might feel very sad for a couple of days, in part because of hormonal changes. Don’t forget to pump a tiny bit if it’s too uncomfortable, or use cabbage leaves. Big (very unmumsnetty) hugs

[gamerchick]

Ah take a squeeze. You might get the blues for a few days but it’ll pass.

[ShowOfHands]

My DS stopped as a toddler after a throat infection and I was v sad at how sudden it was. He restarted a week later....

[gybegirl]

I was so upset when DD stopped at 14 months. I pumped to keep my supply for a week in case she changed her mind but she didn't (and I now roll eyes when people talk about force feeding older breastfed children - you can't - I tried ).

A few weeks after she stopped I thought about how lovely it was that I had fed her until she wanted to stop. She made the decision and isn't that the best way to finish? I truly believe bf her for a long time made her the cuddliest child in the world (still now many years later).

You did a great job.

[littledinaco]

Have you read about nursing strikes?

Stopping suddenly is likely to be a nursing strike, it often occurs when they are ill too. Natural weaning is usually very gradual. There is an interesting pod cast that explains it well, I'll try to find it in a bit.

[Backt0Black]

@gybegirl thats a lovely way to think of it and I just wanted to say thank you. Currently BF'ing a 7 month old at times I have HATED it and found it hard to deal with the isolating dependence it creates vs Dad / Grandparents / Friends / any bugger helping out by giving a bottle ....but now .... I know I'll really miss it when he stops.

[Backt0Black]

... and OP.... I also think its lovely you've let your little guy decide when :)

[NonnoMum]

Just a thought - any chance you are pregnant?

[YouCantArgueWithStupid]

My DD stopped 12 weeks ago when I was 10 weeks pregnant. I miss it even now. she’s 2.5 years and only last night she cuddled my boobs and told me she loved them

[gybegirl]

@Back to back Thanks . My girls are older now but are really positive about seeing people bf. I always tell them how snuggly it was and how it helped them if they were sad or needed comfort when they were babies. Good luck to you x

[Peppardew]

Thank you so much for your lovely replies, I hadn't seen them until now. Just an update, he actually started looking for a feed on Sunday in the end (so nearly a week later) and pretty much seems back to normal now. Very bizarre as I had stopped offering it as he was just getting cross and pushing boobs away firmly saying NO. So I just thought that was that, he's a boy who knows his own mind . So was a bit taken a back when he went for it on Sunday. Probably wasted a good opportunity to end things, but I really missed it and he seems happy with it! Hoping in the future we can maybe bring things to an end a bit more gradually, but grateful to have a bit more time to get used to the idea. Thanks again, really appreciate the support.

[zoeyjanesmum]

Hi I know this post was from a while ago but I'm going through the same with my 23 month old who loved boobies and fed all through the Night, every nap time and often in the day to totally refusing getting very upset before going to sleep. Just wondering if your son continued to breastfeed and if he stopped completely for a whole week? I think shes refusing because if her molars but I don't want it to end, I'm super upset at the suddeness