to try to wean my 2yr old off bf on holiday ?

[firefirejugdypantsonfire]

I've been trying to gradually wean my nearly 2 year old off breastfeeding but it's not working.

For the last month I've been doing 'don't offer, don't refuse' and he's feeding more now . He's totally cottoned on to it. He grabs my hand and leads me to the sofa and says 'bub' or he sits on the sofa like a grown up and point to me the pats the seat next him. It's cute ( and impressive he's saying a new word as he's not much of a talker yet.)

He won't drink cows milk and when I offer another snacks or water/ smoothie he'll take it and then ask for 'bub' again straight after. He's mostly a good eater and of average weight.

DS will sometimes ask to feed when out now, which he didn't use to as I would feed him before going somewhere. I can put him off when out, by saying no but at home he cries. Do I just need to say no more and try to distract him? He's quite a challenging toddler already and feel a bit worn down.

We are going on holiday when he turning 2, so should I try to use the change of routine to stop ? I'll have my DH and some family there too.

I'm happy to have fed him this long but I want to stop. I'd like to conceive a 2nd child , as I'm turning 40 but I'm still not having periods due to all the feeding.

Any thoughts ?

Maybe just limit it to a bedtime drink as people who formula feed do? It's not usual to be giving a 2yo several cups of milk between meals and bf isn't that different.

However I wouldn't do it on holiday, he'll most likely be clingy anyway and it'll make the whole trip shit for you both. Additionally it's good to have a trick to shut your kid up on an aeroplane!

I wouldn't do it on holiday, if you are going somewhere hot it'll keep him hydrated and comfort him in an unusual situation.

I stopped feeding DD out of the house when she was 2 as feeds in general started to decrease but found her comfort feeds increased when her molars started to come through once they were through at 2.5 years she pretty much stopped by herself. Your milk won't dry up straight away either, I was still able to produce it a good year after her last feed. Cutting down on feeds may prompt your periods to return anyway, mine came back when DD was 9 months old even though I fed much longer than that.

I weaned my 2 year old off breastfeeding on holiday last summer. I was absolutely dreading it but I'm the end it was easy! My ds is very keen on my mum and for four days she would sweep in with a new toy, book or activity every time he want a feed and I would make myself scarce! Day 5 I was on my own with him - we had two incidents of crying both of which lasted less than 3 minutes and we were done! Woohoo!

I just weaned my daughter off at 26 months. She had got so bad she was like a newborn!!! I started by refusing after bedtime and before morning. Just offered water or milk (she will only drink soya milk 🤦🏻‍♀️) then within a week of being firm I dropped the morning and distracted during the day. This just left us with the bedtime feed. After a further week (where my milk was pretty much gone) I offered her a beaker first at bedtime so she was full before she wanted breast.
Seemed to work although there were a lot of big 'huggys' the first 3 weeks of this. It's hard but 8 weeks later I'm glad we did it. She eating and drinking better and sleeps through the night...

Truly, you just need to go cold turkey. Just stop. He will be just fine, and in a couple of days he won't even think to ask for it.

I'm currently thinking about doing the same OP. DS2 is 23 months and MY GOD THE TANTRUMS at night when I refuse. I'm doing Dr Jay Gordon but veerrrryyyy slooooowlllyy.

DS1 had to be forced to drop his last feed at 32 months so that I could conceive DS2. He wasn't happy.

I had to go cold turkey with my daughter just after she turned 2. I thought it would be awful but I told her it had all gone, she cried the first evening, then slightly the next morning and then was fine. I know not all children are the same but it was fine with us.

I didn't go cold turkey with any of mine and it was fine!

We are holidaying in the UK so no plane or hot weather I'm in two minds as don't want to get uncomfortable stopping suddenly but when I try limiting its so hard as DS has no routine - he's such a random sleeper etc.

If I try to limit to bedtime feed then it's hard to know when DS will sleep. He has bath and story at the same time each night, but could sleep by 8pm or can still be awake at 11pm And on hols I'll have some family around but might have to pump to be comfortable ?

He's definitely getting his back molars in at the mo, he's boob crazy. I just want to stop now.

The more you pump, the more you will make. You'll feel like Pammie with a couple of rocks on your chest for a couple of days, but it soon goes.

DC2 weaned on holiday at 2y2m. We were down to bedtime anyway and the novel environment and general exhaustion distracted him from even that feed. It wasn't something I had planned, but I was about 4m pg with DC3 so it was a welcome change.

I would suggest holding him often every day so he isn't wanting for closeness etc, but being firmer about not feeding until bedtime. So not no, but "not now, at bedtime". Don't express at all unless you're very uncomfortable and even then only a minute or so to relieve the discomfort.