Night weaning 2 year old - encouragement and advice needed

[Mumanddone]

We’re currently night weaning my just turned two year old. We did previously a couple of months ago and that went so smoothly but she found her way back to boob after some illness and family visiting. She’s so much more wilful now and has cried awfully for me for two spates through the night. My husband is in with her and is soothing her with words and stories and cuddles while I’m in the next room. I feel awful but please tell me this is for the best? Will tomorrow, or the night after, be a bit easier? And I am not damaging her by doing this?

It’s so frustrating because the only reason I’m weaning at night is due to suspected tooth decay. I would breast-sleep as long as needed but can’t live with the possible guilt that I didn’t stop on a dentist’s advice.

I know it can be hard and you want to step in and 'fix it' but it just sounds like your daughter is telling you she doesn't like this new way of doing things. That's to be expected from a toddler. She's being comforted by her dad, she's not alone. It'll get easier every night and you're not damaging her. I know its hard to hear the crying though.

I would double check about breastmilk and teeth - I was under the impression it wasn't the same as cows milk in terms of damaging the teeth. But I'm no expert.

Hmmm I'm really not sure about this whole not feeding at night advice, both myself (ebf 2 babies) and my SIL (formula fed 1 baby) have been told this from six months by different dentists. Of those babies one ebf baby is now four and one formula fed baby is 2 and neither have tooth decay. The formula fed baby had formula at night until almost 2 and my ebf four year old had breast milk at night until 26 months.

If your daughter isn't drinking squash / sugary drinks and eating loads of sweets and chocolate is feeding her at night really going to do that much harm? I'm not sure it will but I'm not a dentist admittedly.

I weaned my daughter at night by telling her Mummy's boobs didn't work any more at night but was there with unlimited cuddles and reassurance. Yes she was a bit upset but only for a few nights and actually less than I expected. Could you try a little white lie perhaps?

Thank you. Hopefully tonight will be easier.

I had a very busy thread here a couple of months ago after the dentist’s visit. For every experience like yours there were people telling me I had to wean, that of course breastmilk in the night caused cavities. Ultimately, I decided I had to do something so I knew I did everything in my power. We made such progress and now I feel like it’s twice as hard. But we’ll get there.