Ow ow ow. Trying to wean extremely reluctant two year old with a terrible latch.

[InvaderZim]

We've been down to four bedtimes a week for a long time now. I had to cut out the mid day feeds a while ago because they were getting too painful and now the night time feeds are going the same way. I have cut her down to one boob, but I only lasted 8 minutes and most of that through gritted teeth. How do I get her weaned from here - cold turkey??

Pretty sure am not preg, it's been hurting a long time just not this bad. DD's latch consists of her digging her teeth in and repeatedly breaking suction. Have tried to correct but I'm happy to give up, just her that isn't. Halp!

I forgot to say she's two and a half, actually.

ouch. What do you do on the three bedtimes a week you don't feed her?

Nothing. :D DH puts her to sleep. We have discussed him taking all the nights for a while, but she goes into meltdown mode every time she finds out it's "his" night. :(

I'm having similar problems with dd3. I think her latch is lazy hence the discomfort.
I've the added problem I'm feeding ds as well so stopping cold turkey is more obvious as she wil see me feed him.

She could be loosing ability to latch whilst not being quite emotionally ready to leave breastfeeding completely behind, just yet

Could you help her with latch? Show her wide open mouth, taking her off when it hurts? Breastfeeding manners

Feeling irritated during feeding an older child is totally normal, probably due to their bigger mouth. Natural weaning isn't always only child led, its a partnership and mum is nearly always ready to stop before the child is. Ideally the need of the child's peeters out slowly but it's often a dance, led by mum but guided by the child's reaction.

Weaning tactics; distraction and / or substitution

Could try dif bedtime routine? Read story on sofa, agree on a way to help her to sleep? Stroking her back or cuddle? If she's not quite ready to loose the milk she won't be ready to loose her mum at same time so even if she gets cross when you say no milk right now, she's not cross at you but cross that she can't have something she wants. Getting cross back is a double whammy so even tho it can seem illogical giving her a big cuddle and being kind with any distress can help the transition from bf to not.

It can take time but sounds like you're not too far off.