Dropping the last breastfeed?

[clemette]

Hello all, I was wondering if anyone could help me.
DS is 15 months and has been VERY keen on breastfeeding. When I returned to work when he was 8 months he refused all milk in the day until I picked him up and fed all night instead. I have gradually cut him down so he is now only feeding once a day, at bedtime.
I would like to drop this feed so I can start playing a part in DD's bedtime again (she is 4).
But he is VERY resistant. He won't take milk of any kind from a bottle or cup at this time (he will have a little from a cup at other times). We have even tried flavoured milk/ovaltine etc in an attempt to bribe him (spot the second time mum) but he just screams, hits me or DH, and has proper tantrums.
I don't want him to be upset but I am ready to stop and, as a family, it is the right decision for us, so does anyone have any top tips?
Thanks in advance,
Sam

Maybe the best way is just to go 'cold turkey'. Decide when the last feed will be and stick to it and don't give in. He will be upset but will get over it.

Oh don't go cold turkey - poor little chap. Can't you just shuffle bedtimes/feeding times around a bit so you can put your DD to bed and then bf. Or do what I do which is to bf DS2 when I am reading DS2's stories to him.

Win win

If he's only having one feed a day, he'll probably stop by himself soon anyway.

Hi Clemette, no advice but thought I'd bump this for you as I'm kind of in the same boat! My ds is 20 months and down to one feed also. I'm 12 weeks pregnant and really am hoping he will stop on his own accord but so far this doesn't seem to be the case. Will watch this space for any advice!

Thank you.
Tryharder I think I have just reached the point where I want to stop. DD hates having stories with him feeding and DH would really like to read him bedtime stories.
I know it sounds really selfish but after 4.5 years of wearing maternity or breastfeeding bras I am ready to stop.
But I still want it to be as trauma free for him as possible...

Tryharder - I only suggested cold turkey as the OP said SHE WANTED to stop bf. I wasnt trying to be mean.

If the OP is only feeding once a day its not like the feeding can be reduced any more without stopping is it? So what else can be done apart from stopping altogether?

Clemette - hopefully you'll get more info on how to go about it.

Can you offer him a non-drink treat. Extra story, cuddles or something like that? It sounds like he doesn't want a milk substitute but he might go for something else nice. Also have you thought about shifting the feed time to before the rest of the bedtime routine i.e. before the bath or whatever? I heard somebody say they did this and then found it easier to drop that feed because the dad would step in. If you can borrow a copy of "How Weaning Happens" (Diane Bengson) that has some tips (but it is fairly pro-self weaning so you have to set that aside). I hope whatever you try works for you