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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Original poster

I think I am secretly wishing he would self-wean

22 replies

popsycal · 06/01/2007 13:02

There. I said it.
This breast feeding malarky is starting to drive me insane. Well, more insane!

The last week, ds2 is just asking constantly to feed and throws a wobbly if I say 'no' or try to distract him.

I don't want to enforce it as he enjoys it so much. I also think I would be initially gutted if he stopped. But part of me would be overjoyed.

Does anyone else feel like this?

OP posts:
agalch · 06/01/2007 13:13

You are not the only one.I bf ds1 till he was 2.5 and it used to annoy the hell out of me.It was pretty much constant towards the end.Felt like if he wasn't acually feeding he was asking for a feed.

Felt great when i stopped heehee.

Then fed dd1 till she was 2 and now feeding dd2 who is 24 weeks.Again dd1 drove me bonkers too.Think they all go through phases of wanting it all the time.

How old is your ds?

Original poster
popsycal · 06/01/2007 13:21

22 months
Driving me insane with his illness induced night feeding too.

OP posts:
blueshoes · 06/01/2007 13:33

yes, popsycal, I totally sympathise. Dd was driving me to hysteria with her night nibbling. I weaned her during a nursing strike at 17 months. Was scared but so glad I seized the opportunity and did it. Felt human again and never looked back!

You will always be proud of the long period you bf-ed ds2 for - that will never leave you.

hoxtonchick · 06/01/2007 13:38

i would quite like to wean dd (18 months) too. but she loves it so much. and i don't want to put her through the trauma of denying her it. so am stuck...

nothercules · 06/01/2007 13:48

Totally sympathise with that. I would have been estatic had mine self weaned. I no longer breastfeed and it's the most liberating feeling in the world.

Original poster
popsycal · 06/01/2007 15:45

Am so glad that some of you have felt/feel the same way.

I do enjoy feeding him but would like to be able to sit down without him running over and launching his hands down my top. He is driving me totally mad right now with it all!

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agalch · 06/01/2007 15:54

I only managed to wean dd1 off because i was pg with dd2.Feeling knackered and huge i just couldn't cope anymore and went cold turkey.Was hard but glad i did it or i would now be tandem feeding.

I imagine i will be feeling like you in 18 months popsy and will be trying to wean dd2 off lol.

Totally random though... next new year will be the 5th i spend sober.Will have been pg/bf 5 yrs in a row.

Tatties · 06/01/2007 16:07

Oh Popsy I know how you feel...

It can be really draining can't it. I think I do look forward to the day when ds is old enough not to need/ask for it any more.

I think you would be upset if he stopped completely though. The other day my ds asked for some milk in a cup (which he has never done before) and although he has by no stretch of the imagination cut down on bf, I oddly did feel a little put out

Original poster
popsycal · 07/01/2007 09:40

DS2 has turned into the toddler fro hell in the last few days. I have come upstairs to get away from his constant nagging for a feed. It is driving me mad. How would I encourage less feeding without forcing it? At the moment, I am trying distracting him, offering juice, etc. It always results in a tantrum. Not distress really just a tantrum.

OP posts:
ScummyMummy · 07/01/2007 10:19

Oh Pops- if part of you would be overjoyed I think it is maybe time for you to wean... It is okay to have mixed feelings about a toddler demanding constant access to your body, you know. If you're feeling a bit irritable and tense about it sometimes then you are maybe trying to tell yourself something.

I felt unexpectedly fine when I stopped feeding my boys- they were around 16 months or so I think. They looked cute with their cups and I felt free in a way I hadn't anticipated since breast feeding was important to me and something I found easy and pleasurable. I'm sure you'll find the right way to wean for you and your boy and whenever you decide it's time you will both be just fine.

Original poster
popsycal · 07/01/2007 15:56

He won't drink cows' milk, doesn't eat much cheese or yoghurt....if he did, I think I would be even more tempted.

I am at work tomorrow, wed and thurs and he isn;t bothered abotu feeding when I am away.....going to use it as an opportunity to get back to morning and evening feeds I think. Then Thursday night, illness depending, is The Night.

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VeniVidiVickiQV · 07/01/2007 16:00

popsy - if its any consolation, I think he'd be a mare anyway, even if you werent b/feeding. They all have developmental phases here and there that turn them into utter loons for a week or so.

if you want to stop, stop. Dont feel bad. You are feeling worse right now, anyway, right?

yellowrose · 07/01/2007 16:19

I agree with Veni - I don't think it is necessarily a bf issue as my friends with non-bf toddlers are constantly battling colds, chest infections, and of course moaning and tantrums. I think it is to do with age and development stage.

Popsycal if you wish to stop, then do. But I honestly don't think it is to do with bf. My DS has been teething for the past 2 weeks and has been unbelievably cranky. But the minute he gets a feed (I think it makes his gums feel better after he has nibbled on my boobs !) he is happy for at least a few more hours until the next feed.

Sorry, don't wish to put you off weaning, just giving you my side of the story

Original poster
popsycal · 07/01/2007 16:19

I am going to ride it out for another week or so, VVV. I think that you are probably right. We have spent a lot of time at home this week so that is an invitation for open buffet for him!
I am at work tomorrow, toddlers on Tuesday morning then work again Wed and Thurs. HE never asks outside of the house. Hopefully by Friday, decorum will have returned.

I don't feel quite so crazy anymore. Had a lovely walk on the beach, climbing in rock pools, etc. Good for the soul

OP posts:
VeniVidiVickiQV · 07/01/2007 16:20

Oooh you lucky bugger

Original poster
popsycal · 07/01/2007 16:21

Yellowrose - thanks for your input. You are dead right actually. At least if they are breast fed, you know that you can calm them immediately if you want to

OP posts:
yellowrose · 07/01/2007 16:22

Glad you feel bets Pops. Gosh I wish we had a beach nearby

yellowrose · 07/01/2007 16:22

bets = better !

Original poster
popsycal · 07/01/2007 16:27

we are very lucky - a 15 minute drive

OP posts:
Cappuccino · 07/01/2007 16:31

sometimes I wish I didn't have to bother either with dd2's feeding (she's 2)

but whenever she's really in a mood it's the only thing that calms her; and I remember bottlefed dd1 being a complete bd to cope with when she was like that

Elasticwoman · 07/01/2007 16:40

When my ds was about 20 months, dh wanted to get him off the breast so sent me on lovely weekend break on my own. I had a great time! I have to admit that ds latched straight back on when I got back (much to dh's disgust) but I didn't mind. It wasn't me that wanted bf to stop.

It might work for you and you could come back with inaccessible boobs and probably a lot less milk which might get him to lose interest gradually if not straight away.

Original poster
popsycal · 13/01/2007 11:24

i feel like this again today
maybe it si a weekend thing

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