I'm thinking about weaning 15 mo DS. Can someone talk to me about it?

[Judyandherdreamofhorses]

Please?

I'm not sure I'm ready. I BFed DD until she was 19 months. I suppose I'd planned on similar or longer for DS.

He's feeding 2-3 times a day. Bedtime, once in the early morning (4-5am) and before a daytime nap if I'm with him.

I'm having a lot of trouble with the contraceptive pill I'm taking (micronor - changed from cerazette but this is even worse). Would like the option of a combined pill again to see if there are improvements (basically a constant period - gaps of 2 or 3 days between). But it feels like a really, really selfish reason to stop breastfeeding.

I'd like to sleep all night. I know weaning may make no difference whatsoever to that!

He's an erratic eater. I like knowing that breastfeeding will help provide him with what he needs.

Oh, I don't know what to do.

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I kind of know how you feel, because I was forced to stop bf'ing my DC2 at 15mo for (my) medical reasons. Ideally I would have kept feeding longer.

You have done brilliantly to get to 15mo so I would say that if you now need to switch pill etc in order to look after yourself, then go for it. I've had some pill issues too, BTW.

But, stopping bf'ing can be tough, so you need to be sure and also to have some support from a partner who can deal with your DC crying for those first couple of days, and the following week or so as you deal with engorgement and your own emotions.

And you're right that it makes no difference to sleep. Mine still wakes at nights...yawn!

Good luck, whatever you decide.

Thanks. It's a difficult decision. I'm feeding now (4.15 am) thinking about how I'd rather be sleeping, but also how is prefer this to screaming, repeated wakings (which is what happens if I don't do this feed - he just wakes every 20 minutes till morning!).

You can take the combined pill when BFing once you pass 6 months .

I'm doing the same! Dd is 1. I fed DS till 15 m and feel guilty I'm not going longer with dd. I'm gradually weaning her off and her sleep is soooo much better already! She's gone from wanting feeds 3-4/ nights to 1/night. I'm at the same number of feeds as you. I don't think we can compare each child as the exhaustion you feel is not comparable!! It's so much more tiring having broken sleep and having to care for 2dc

The sleep is a million times better than it was before he was one, so I'm happy with that really.

My GP won't prescribe a combined pill, vinegar.

I can imagine really regretting stopping if I do so before this winter and then he gets colds etc and I can't comfort/ feed him. He was poorly last winter and in hospital for a while - I suppose I have an extra emotional issue there.