Think I need to stop, don't know how and don't really want to!

[Stefka]

DS has just turned two and is still feeding at least three times, often more, a day. Not feeding at night unless he is ill. I would like to start ttc however and I haven't had a period since I had him.

I can't imagine how I can make him stop. He loves it. I don't want to stop him, I want him to self wean but I don't want to wait too much longer to get pregnant again.

At the moment I am trying to distract him as much as I can during the day to see if I can get him down to just morning and night. Goodness only knows how those two feeds will ever stop.

Anyone been through this? Any tips?

[whomovedmychocolatecookie]

Stefka - you know I don't believe you have to stop. If you really don't want to - delaying conception another six months isn't going to hurt your chances that much - you are only 33!

[Stefka]

thanks - I have a bit of a panic going on after reading that other post! It was really helpful for me to hear your story.

[NotQuiteCockney]

How long ago did he stop feeding at night?

I think stopping when you don't want to stop, and he doesn't want to stop, wouldn't be pleasant or easy.

[Stefka]

Over the summer, I think you are right. Might just keep trying with distraction as much as possible but not force it.

[mawbroon]

Yes, I've been through this. I started ttc when ds was 14 months (looking for a 2yr age gap!!). He was feeding on demand, and it was day and night.

I tried all sorts of ways to get him to cut down, and in the end, I decided it wasn't worth it as nursing meant so much to him. Also, when he was 2, he developed a dairy intolerence, so the nutritional aspect of the breastfeeding became much more important.

So, I waited patiently, and finally, when he was 3.5yo I dropped night feeds and am now 24weeks pg with no2.

Everyone is different, and apparantly it's unusual to have to stop completely for fertility to return.

Good luck.

[Stefka]

So far not fed at all today. I was out of the house this morning before he woke up and I distracted him when we got home. He will have one before bed. I feel bad when I am trying to put him off. I would let him have it if he got upset though - which is why the boy is still feeding I guess!

I was underweight this time last year so I don't know if it is that which has stopped my periods or the feeding or a bit of both. Weight in the right range now and has been for a while so thought that would have started them again.

[Stefka]

spoke to soon - he is asking again - ah well!

[mawbroon]

I found that distraction only delayed things a bit with my ds. It would work so far, but then he would reach a point where he needed to nurse so much that distraction didn't stand a chance!!