Hi everyone,
I am still breastfeeding my 19-month-old DS2. I breast fed my first for eight months and was planning on doing the same with my second, but shortly after I introduced formula to the mix, it emerged that he had a dairy intolerance. I couldn't face forcing him on to the hypoallergenic formula, so ended up cutting out dairy out of my own diet and breastfeeding him until now (we are now both back on dairy).
I don't mind breastfeeding him, but he is unable to self-soothe (although he sleeps through most nights, with one wake up at most) - he is not interested in having a dummy, or sucking his thumb/fingers, or cuddling a soft toy. Although he now has bits of diary, he won't drink cow's milk (or oat milk/other dairy substitutes) in a sippy cup.
My question is, how can I go about weaning him off breastfeeding? People have suggested distracting him during the day when he wants a comfort feed, but he just gets really upset if he wants to be breastfed and i refuse. I also still feed him before his one nap and before bedtime (which i know is a terrible habit - i was just so shattered in the early months, I gave in).
He is generally a good eater but I am worried that the breastfeeding is now interfering with his diet - he will sometimes skip lunch and then later want a feed.
When I am not around, eg if I am at work or go away for the night, he is absolutely fine without breast milk (he does cry at bedtime but then sleeps through the night).
I feel like I have completely failed to teach him to self-soothe and also spoilt him - I have always fed him on demand and continue to do so.
Basically, I have absolutely no idea how to wean him off breastfeeding - I feel like i've left it too late to trick him out of it but I really would like to stop feeding him soon. Any ideas/advice would be gratefully received!