I have a just turned 2 year old. I have loved breastfeeding since we got over the initial hurdles and was delighted to make it to 1 year.
After 12 months, feed gradually decreased to just before sleep (nap and bedtime), it continued this way for months and months and I decided to continue until LO self weaned.
Self weaning never came, and as we approached the 2nd birthday I decided I really am ready to stop now. DH & I want to try to no2 next year and it would be nice to have my body to myself for just a little while before getting pregnant again.
However, as if they have sensed it’s going to be taken away soon, LO is now asking (demanding) boobie loads more, including mornings on wake up, throughout the day as well as the usual feeds before sleep times. It’s making me really anxious.
They’ve also started shouting boobie and pulling my top when we are in public, I really don’t like this and although I’m not ashamed at all, all my friends and family assume we’re finished BFing as they haven’t seen us do it in ages. I don’t want to BF a toddler in public or even at home outside of our normal routine of a feed before going into the cot for a sleep.
It’s really getting me down and making me anxious about stopping as they seem so attached.
I been offering food and drink instead when they demand “boobie, boobie” but most of the time, even after a good breakfast LO wants to snuggle on the sofa for a feed. We never did this since they turned 1 over a year ago so I don’t know why this is now expected.
We are travelling next week so I won’t be attempting to stop then as I don’t want tantrums or sleep problems when we are away but on our return I want to implement a phase out program and finally get this little boob monster finished with BFing.
Because I loved it so much and was so proud of how far we have come since the difficult beginning, I feel really sad to end it like this in a way that might be hard for both of us. I really thought they’d just self wean :-(