Boob obsessed 18 month old

[Busylizzie85]

I know I am to blame for letting this go this far but Im now at a complete loss as to what to do! My 18 month old has always been a heavy breastfeeder, never got used to the bottle or a dummy. She was ok up till around 4 months then things went down hill with sleep dramatically to the point now I have to mostly co sleep as she’ll only feed to sleep and only let me comfort her. My husband has tried many many times and all she does is scream and scream for me which is unfair on my other child who shares the room. I have also tried not feeding her to sleep but it took me well over an hour and it was just pure exhaustion in the end that eventually took over and I can’t sustain that when working as well.
When I am home during the day she’s is also always coming for feeds constantly and as soon as I am home from work she is straight on me like a rash.
so the point of this long post is I want to slowly stop and hopefully in the long run help her sleep better but I do not know where to begin, hoping someone on here can relate and give me some much needed advice?

Not sure if this is much help but can totally relate, after weeks (separate, trying on seperate occasions) of sleepless nights trying to go cold turkey, I gave up and just allowed her to carry on feeding when she wanted. Just before she was 3, I chatted a lot about her being a big girl, mummies milk is for babies etc etc and she then just seemed to stop herself. She now sleeps really well and goes to bed better than her sister

Is she eating actual food?

You probably just have to stop any demand feeding and tough it out.

You have one of two choices, you could either continue to breast feed her regardless, or progressively introduce her to the bottle. Use the dummy first and then try the bottle later down the line.

I would call one of the BFing Helplines @Busylizzie85. They should be able to help you come up with a plan to stop

Thanks @middleagedandinarage I was thinking that once she fully understands this would help stop!

Yes she’s eats well most days @Unsuurisweird

Thanks @BunnyRuddington I will try and contact them for some advice!

I had to go cold turkey with DS at that age and he did understand, but still tried to pull up my top for another year. My DDs both refused the breast at 8 months so DS being so attached was quite a surprise.

Cold turkey is the way forward. Make a plan, such as pick a weekend when you are both off work. Buy her a new soft toy. Do you have any family near who could have your older DC? Work together to carry out your plan but most importantly, stick to it. Don’t give in if she screams.

You will be amazed how quickly she gets over it.

At 18 months they do not need a bottle that should be stopped by a year.

I think you will have to go cold turkey. Can you try at a weekend or when you have a longer time off just say there is no milk left so she can't have any.

This kind of happened to me, but I didn’t mind right up until the age of three
I went away for a weekend and actually he didn’t scream at all, Was quite accepting of the situation at that stage, but he could be reasoned with
No dummy or bottle substitute

Yes definitely don’t offer a bottle or dummy, they aren’t advised for a child after 12 months.

Agree that bottles just aren’t needed after 12 months. Much better to give drinks in a cup.

Have you tried offering her a snack or a nice drink like hot chocolate?

I have tried offering snacks instead or another drink but she’s having none of it @BunnyRuddington sometimes I can distract her enough for a while but she always comes back to it. I think it’s mostly a comfort thing.

She does sound pretty much like my DD was at that age. Another thing I did was to only feed in one seat during the day and then just never sit there if you can help it

This article on weaning from the La Lèche League might help.

My DD went cold turkey at 6 months (cue relentless pumping!), but I have friends who breastfed til their babies were 2.5+. They used books about mum’s milk stopping to help the transition and the kids were ok with it eventually!