Advice on weaning a nearly two year old from breastfeeding

[ag1908]

Looking for some advice on how to wean my nearly 2 year old.

I have tried to gradually reduce feeds, don’t offer and don’t refuse, plasters on nipples. She asks for boob all day long and feeds so much still throughout the night. I think she finds it confusing being told yes at some points and no at others. I don’t know if my only option is cold turkey? I don’t want to traumatise her and she is boob obsessed but I’m feeling like I’m ready. we have also co slept since birth, so I’m not sure if I would need to stop co sleeping too? My partner works shifts so he cant take over the bedtime duties.

thanks!

It’s absolutely fine for you to have had enough. You’ve done an amazing job breastfeeding for two years. I only managed a year! Your DD has had a fantastic start to her life.

You’ve tried letting her down gently but it’s not working out. At age two, your DD is old enough to understand that breastfeeding has now ended. Tell her clearly that it’s stopping and then you have to stick to it. Buy her a new soft toy and a new drinking cup.

She will adjust really quickly. Good luck.

Distraction helps, so always being busy. Avoid sitting down in the ‘usual’ spots where nursing happens. I think I spent a lot of time in the Parc when reducing feeds.

At two you can absolutely night wean. There are gentle methods out there but it boils down to saying no, and sticking with it. The gentle part is that you are still there with her, providing comfort in other ways

it might help to break all the nursing into blocks and tackle each differently. So

night - night wean, no nursing between bed time and morning
bed time, nap time, morning - okay to nurse
btw 10-12, 2-5 - nor nursing, will distract, go out, offer snacks instead.

Id do it slowly (to avoid mastitis for you too and less confusion for her) start with day feeds. Replace with water and a snack. Distraction - walk round the block, snacks and toys. Avoid sitting on the same spot on the sofa :)
Leave the one before a nap for a while.

Then try to get up out of bed quickly and say hey let’s get breakfast first.

You can also say yes instead of no to help prevent upset. Like ‘yes you can have some milk but after..x ‘

Id leave the evening feed until last. And try to space out the night ones first.