Weaning a 2 yo?

[Boobswontstop]

DD just turned 2 and is still BF twice a day. I’ve been ready to stop for a bit now but she’s still quite keen. I’ve been preparing her for a couple of months now, telling her that when she turns 2 mummy’s milk will be dried up. We recently survived a nasty bout of noro and my boobs are almost certainly dry (she nurses for a minute or so before saying “empty!”

I want to stop altogether but don’t want it to be too traumatic fo her. We feed on waking, at nighttime and occasionally in the night (she mostly sleeps through but wakes if she unwell). I can mostly distract her from feeds with entertainment or a snack but sometimes she wants to nurse for comfort and gets SO angry and scream “BOOOOOB!” and cries and I can’t say no then. Any suggestions?

Bump?

With my DC they were older than yours. But I started saying you can until I count to 10. That was fine because I wasn’t saying no but I could count very fast and not ‘break the deal’ if that makes sense.
it wasn’t as though there was no milk because I was feeding a younger child at the time.
if fizzled out fairly quickly on that regime as far as I remember

I’ve weaned both mine at about two and me going away for a few nights did the trick!! Could you just be out at bedtime if someone else can put her to bed? The second one, I just told him no more milk tonight and just had to stay firm. Yes he got annoyed at that but by the second or third night it was like I’d never fed him tbh!

Can you drop one at a time? So if you have a DP/DH can they take her downstairs for breakfast instead of doing the first feed?

Thank you all, I’m really quite desperate at this point. I sometimes leave early for work and DH brings her down and takes her to nursery, but on the days I’m there she hasn’t forgotten at all! Same with bedtime, even after a few days with DH or a babysitter she screams for me and demands boobs. It breaks my heart to see her so hysterical when I say no.

I’ve told her mummy’s milk is drying up. She’ll scream and scream and finally I’ll give in and she’s instantly calm, even if she only wants to be on the breast for a moment. I’ve tried offering a cup of water and plenty of snuggles too but to no avail.

DH decamped to his parents for three or four days. DSs simply never asked again.

Just say no and stick to it.

Remember that saying no and sticking to it isn't nasty or unfair. It teaches boundaries and that you are a reliable and consistent person whose word she can trust.

Saying no for a bit, forcing her to scream and beg and then giving in IS nasty and unfair (although unintentionally of course). It teaches that boundaries can be disrespected and that you are not a trustworthy source of information.

Mine are long weaned now, but I do remember this being a battle.

Bedtimes: make your chest completely inaccessible, double roll necks. 2nd one used to put his hand on my neck but no matter the clawing, could not get there. For a long time after weaning he would still put hand down my jumper or neck for sleepy comfort.

Don't be afraid to bribe with a biscuit. DS did not eat biscuits forever, started with a good biscuit and then downgraded as he got used to it (by the time we reached cracker, he gave up).

I remember it being hard, but it didn't last forever, and once you have reached the important decision to stop for yourself you'll maintain your willpower. Give it a week of resolute "no", and you'll be in a different place. I was absolutely 110% over it by the time I weaned (2 & 2.5), I think that is the key to managing it.

Another one who agrees that there's no point I saying no if you're going to give in. It's hard in the short term but if you're desperate to give up you're going to need to be firm and distract a lot.

In the morning, could you give her breakfast and a nice milky smoothie? They're fairly easy to whizz up with some milk and banana and then you can add what other fruit you like.

Also, only feed on one seat and then just never sit anywhere near it during the day.

This!