Help, must wean cold turkey

[StarryNight]

I'll try to keep this short...

I am 27 weeks pregnant with a 15 month old. He pretty much only nurses to sleep or if he hurts himself somehow. Unfortunately him nursing is now causing contractions. I've been getting some pretty intense contractions randomly the last few weeks that have put me on temp. bed rest. We have continued nursing since the contractions weren't caused by the nursing. That all changed yesterday. My doc wants me to stop nursing him immediatly since I don't need anything else causing me to have more contractions.

I don't know how to wean him so abrubtly. It's throwing off our whole routine and making bedtime a tramatic disaster. Night time isn't so bad since he'll go to sleep for his dad but naptime is hard. He doesn't want to be rocked or anything else I try. It's so hard to watch him pull at my shirt with tears streaming down his face while I have to keep telling him no.

Any suggestions or tips? I'm so lost right now.

[Amy_G_]

You are going to have to weigh his needs, your needs and the baby you are carrying's needs, combined with what effect his nursing has on your pregnancy. Weaning cold turkey will be very hard on him, but it may be hard on you if you end up with mastitis.

Find your starting point for how often he used to nurse and how LONG he would nurse and at what point contractions would start up in response to the nursing. Then make a plan. If you can drop nursing sessions, then drop as many as you can. You may need to pump to relieve engorgement that may occur to avoid mastitis. Many women find they can continue to nurse some while pregnant without it causing any contractions. it may be once a day, or it may be for 1 or 2 minutes only several times a day. don't sit in the same place you used to always nurse, maybe change his napping location, consider going somewhere at nap time and let him fall asleep in the car occassionally. Give him plenty to eat and drink--lots of small meals and snacks. Make sure you are wearing clean clothes that don't smell like milk whenever you are holding and rocking him to sleep. get dad involved as much as possible. My first weaned at 21 months, my second at 20 months. older than yours, but at those ages, each boy gave up their naps if they didn't have their boobies. they'd just go to bed much much earlier.
good luck

[RedheadbyChoice]

:hug:

I'm sorry, sugar.

[Bama_5]

You are going to have to weigh his needs, your needs and the baby you are carrying's needs, combined with what effect his nursing has on your pregnancy.

ITA adding these thoughts........

Link below directs you to a thread where I've given weaning tips. I hope they help you.

I will not go against your doctors advice. I will say that many docs are not bf friendly (even when they claim to be bf friendly) and will insist on weaning when that is not necessary.

BH contractions can be strong (were for me many times) but you know your body and admittedly, I was never put on bedrest for them.

If he is only nursing a few times a day you may not need to pump for comfort or to prevent engorgement. If you do need to pump, only express a little or else you are creating demand. Besides, I imagine if a nursing toddler yields contractions, pumping might do the same.

I've offered weaning tips here (http://www.breastfeeding.com/forums/showthread.php?p=405040#post405040).

Wishing you the best in your pregnancy, new birth and weaning of this soon to be older brother.

Bama_5