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How to stop breast feeding my 15 month old!

9 replies

user1490521163 · 06/02/2019 19:49

My son is just over 15 months old, he is still breast feeding (won’t take a bottle and doesn’t like milk in his sippy cup either). I breastfeed him to sleep after his bath and then put him down in his cot. He still wakes so much, at least once in the evening and then throughout the night. Once he wakes up and I’m too tired I just bring him into my bed, where he sleeps quite well but continues to breast feed every time he gets unsettled. He still feeds during the day as well about 2/3 times depending on what we are doing. If we are out or he is distracted or I am at work obviously he doesn’t feed. So in short, it is a very bad habit that I want to get him out of. I want to stop breast feeding, and I also want him to learn to fall asleep on his own. I just don’t know where to even start? Do I just go cold turkey, but then how do I get him to sleep in the first place? I’m prepared for some very bad evenings and nights and want to do it when I’m off work in a couple of weeks but I just wondered if anyone has any advice? I just feel like there are too many habits he and we needs to break!

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GlennRheeismyfavourite · 06/02/2019 20:01

I have just (tonight!) done the last breastfeed for my 17 month old. I would really recommend cutting down one feed for a week or two, then cut another etc etc. I cut all the day time ones first, then I stopped over night. I just sent my husband in during the night and he settled her with just lying her down and sitting with her/putting up with a few tears. Then I dropped the morning in bed one (that was hard!) then finally planning to drop the last one (the bedtime one) don't know how successful that will be as tomorrow will be the first night. Don't start if you need the boob for something eg you're just about to go on a plane!

crazycatlady5 · 06/02/2019 20:35

Just wondering are you trying to stop because you think it’s a bad habit or because it’s not working for you? Because it’s unlikely stopping breastfeeding will mean he will suddenly sleep through the night. Boobing to sleep is magic!

Creatureofthenight · 06/02/2019 20:40

Do you want to wean altogether or just stop night feeds?
Either way have a look on the Kellymom website, lots of helpful info.
I will just say that it’s not a ‘bad habit ‘, it’s a perfectly normal way of getting little ones to sleep.
I hope you get more sleep, but be aware that sleeping more is a developmental thing and there is a chance he could still wake frequently.

IamTheMeg · 06/02/2019 20:41

My daughter was older but I out lemon juice on my nipples. She soon decided it was time to stop Grin

Namenic · 06/02/2019 20:42

Need help too. I breastfeed my 21 month old to sleep and I am trying to stop but now he’s started speaking and loudly demands ‘booby’ even in public places. He will lift my t shirt up to get to it. I think it is just a comfort thing though coz he doesn’t always stay long. It was v useful for recent long haul flight, but I do want to stop. Do I get him a dummy/pacifier?

Raspberry88 · 06/02/2019 21:03

I stopped at about 14 months (about a month ago.) I was so miserable with it, sleep was dreadful and I had reached my limit. DS hadn't fed in the day for a few months (naps in the pushchair) and was just feeding to sleep at bedtime and through the night. I had planned to start slowly trying to get him to sleep without feeding and gently wean him but I got to about 2am one morning, he'd been latched on for hours and I just stopped, kept lying next to him and cuddling. He wasn't too happy about it, cried for half an hour, chatted for about an hour and a half and then just fell asleep. Next evening I put him to bed and sat and patted his bottom and he cried on and off for about 20 minutes and fell asleep and didn't wake up for about 4 hours. It's just got better from there. Even when he's been ill and teething it's been better than before. I don't think I had much milk left as I didn't have any discomfort at all. I know you can never guarantee what will happen and it might not be like that for you but I couldn't believe it at all...I thought it was going to be a nightmare and it really wasn't. I'm still co sleeping most of the night and he still does wake sometimes in the evening but it's gone from every night to maybe once or twice a week and last night he slept from 6.30 to about 2.30 so longest ever. I definitely think it was the feeding to sleep that caused my problem.

Raspberry88 · 06/02/2019 21:03

Sorry, that's long. Good luck though!

crazycatlady5 · 06/02/2019 22:01

he’s started speaking and loudly demands ‘booby’ even in public places.

I feel for you - this is exactly why I always called it ‘milkies’ rather than boob as my 2 year old now shouts MILKIES everywhere she goes 😂

user1490521163 · 07/02/2019 07:25

Thank you everyone. I’m not expecting it to a be a miricle cure for getting him to sleep through the night, but I am just wanting to stop breast feeding and want to find new ways of getting him to fall asleep on his own. I am going to start with not feeding him the day for a week starting tomorrow and then will battle the nights from next Friday. Fingers crossed I can stick to it! It is reassuring to hear all of your sitiuations and what you have done to help. Thanks again

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