DD 14MO and b/feeding now foot-stampingly painful. Need to wean immediately, but how?

[SlinkingOutsideInSocks]

She was very slow to get teeth - basically had two until her first birthday but now they're coming through at a rate of knots, and she doesn't seem to feed with her lips over her teeth. I want to scream with the pain, especially on the first boob that she feeds from - it is agony for the duration of the feed.

She has always been exclusively breastfed, and has drunk cow's milk from a cup since nearly one.

I don't really want to introduce a bottle, but I honestly think I'm ready to give up b/feeding fully now - we've both had a good innings.

Any tips for weaning at 14 months would be much appreciated. :)

Have they only just come through? I found it took a while for my DD1 to adjust her latch when she got new teeth through so this probably won't last.

If you do want to wean then first give yourself a pat on the back because 14 months is, as you say, a good innings It might be worth talking to a BF counsellor so that you can figure out a plan that will be nice and gentle for you and your DD.

Having never done it myself I can't offer you any personal insight but there are some ideas here that you might find helpful :)

OUCH!

Congratulations on breast feeding for so long, absolutely no reason for you to introduce the bottle at this age. You don't say how often you are feeding her I would cut out a feed every 2 days or so to give you both a chance to adjust, offer her a cup of milk in its place maybe at the table whilst you have a cuppa rather than cuddling up as she might twig something is missing ie boob!but don't worry if she doesn't take as much from a cup as she will be getting milk from her food now. All my children weaned themselves naturally but I still felt a bit :( about it bit emotional whichever way you stop breast feeding I think!

Thanks both. :)

She's just down to two feeds now - first and last thing, so it's more than just dropping the feed; it's the cuddles and comfort, and also the routine at night time as well.

I will check out that link you sent Rouge. I don't want to upset her, o,us we're moving in 3 weeks so maybe it's not the best time. The feeds just hurt so much, though!

Just to roll out the old chestnut - could you be pg? Or due on/ovulating?

If you are wanting to give up bf now, it sounds like a good time to do it. If you are feeling you have to give it up because of the teeth, I found it became a lot less painful once dd's top teeth were through fully and she had got used to using her new gnashers - she figured out how to feed without biting me (often!) I sympathise though!

Hmm, got my period 2 day ago!

It's actually got noticeably better. Not perfect, but nowhere near as painful.

I should know by now (I fed DS until 13 months of age) that just as you think a b/feeding problem is insurmountable, it rights itself!

I think I will wait to wean her after we've moved and she's settled.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and advice. :)