how to wean 13 month old from breast?

[geekymummy]

DD's been breastfed, never had much interest in bottles, though to be fair I only tried a couple of times, and I figured that as I was on 1 year maternity leave that it was ok just to wean her to a cup. She'll drink water or juice from a cup in the daytime with no problem, but I've always breastfed her to sleep.

The problem is, I've a new job and this requires me to be away for four days training, in about 4 weeks time. I tried to withhold the breast from her last night and I've never heard her cry so loud Now my DH got angry and says I'm letting DD control me

My mum can get DD to sleep no problem, it's just me cos of breastfeeding and DH lacks patience at the mo. Anyone got any tips? I'm trying in vain not to get stressed out...

[geekymummy]

anyone???

[peggotty]

Your ruddy dh needs to get more involved instead of making lofty proclamations about your dd controlling you! I don't have any practical advice so will bump this for you!! Hope someone comes along to help soon.

[geekymummy]

thanks peggotty

Not got much support offline, all I get are the comments about me having made a rod for my back

DH was a bit better this morning than last night. I hope I can wean DD with as little trauma as poss

[BabiesEverywhere]

How does your DD react when you are not present ? Will she take expressed milk from a bottle from your DH ?

Unless you wish to wean for another reason, I wouldn't wean just because you will be away for 4 days.

You might find she will be happy with expressed milk in a bottle or cup from daddy whilst you are away and return to your breast on your return.

Your milk supply is well established and you have plenty of time to pump loads of milk for the freezer in the next 4 weeks and you can pump for comfort whilst away for the 4 days you are away from your DD.

Good luck whatever you decide.

[Tapster]

A new nightime routine with BF before story and bath and switch it to cows milk from a cup after a week. Do expect her to scream before going to sleep - but I would give up and BF her after 30mins to be honest. In a few days she will be okay. I have been away over night and DD screamed a bit and woke very early but when she knew I wansn't in the house she was quite calm. But if you can't or decide you don't want to go on your 4 days training, take your breast bump, have your mum look after DD if possible. You will both survive - it could be a cold turkey wean or else you can start feeding again when you get back. My DH has been pressuring me to wean since 12 months too its a pain DD is 17 months now and I've had alot of nagging especially by his family. I think I will continue just to spite them .

[BabiesEverywhere]

Forgot to add, I don't think you are making a rod for your own back.

Our DD's will out grow their need for breastmilk.

I find my 20 month old DD 'needs' to nurse to sleep when I am around which is 99% of the time, however will settle for her daddy without nursing if I am out.

[geekymummy]

Thanks BabiesEverywhere and Tapster!

If it wasn't for the training I'd be happily BFing DD... we co-sleep well and only stirs a couple of times per night to latch on.

I think I'll try expressing milk for DD and tweak the bedtime routine for the next few nights and see how that goes.

Thanks for the support, because this was really getting to me and stressing me out. I even thought about quitting my new job, but that's not an option.

[BabiesEverywhere]

I wouldn't bother changing the bedtime routine now, just nurse her as normal until you go away.

The other thing I thought of could your DH take time off work and stay with you with your DD at the hotel whilst you train and that way you can bob out to nurse when needed and would be there for the bedtime feed ?

[geekymummy]

update

DH took over putting DD to bed last night. She cried for a few minutes but as soon as I left the room she stopped and fell asleep!

Here's hoping that this'll keep going well...