Is my dd weaning, I am not sure what the signs are?

[stephie]

I last nursed my dd at 8:30 am this morning, and it was a very short feeding 2 min. if that. She did not try to nurse all day. I gave her the sippy cup and a bottle a few times. I didn't try to nurse, she is 14 1/2 months. I think if she wants I will. I have gone now 13 hours not nursing or pumping. I feel slightly engorged. I am not sure if I should pump or let nature takes it coarse and dry up.
I cherish the time we spent nursing, I am kind of sad to think that is over and that this morning might have been the last time. I think I am okay with it ending just sad. She never seemed interested at all and normally we nurse every 3 hours. LOTS of comfort nursing. It was just weird she is always trying to get in my shirt and she never tried once. Is this the sign that she is done?

I guess I am just a little upset to think its over and my baby is growing up. I am just looking for support through this if she is weaning herself. I never thought I would cry when we were done. Especially lately I have been wishing she would wean so I could have my body back and maybe baby number three.

I also have never got my period back and am not looking forward to that coming back... Just need to know what babies do when they self wean.?

[cheryln]

That is so great that you have made it this far. I don't know much about weaning. I nursed my first son for 7 months but he also took a bottle a lot too. I feel like he weaned himself because he was also getting a bottle too. Anyway, ds2 has been nursing for almost a year and I can totally tell when he wants to nurse. So it sounds like you are reading the signs very well. Like I said, I don't know much about weaning but if you are unsure you can always offer to let her nurse and see how she reacts. You could also pump and let her take the milk in a bottle if you want. But if she seems ready to wean ( and only you can determine that for sure ), then I would go with it. You have successfully nursed for over a year and that is a wonderful accomplishment.

[stephie]

I am going with it, she wasn't interested today ether. But man My girls are screaming in pain. I am so engorged and so uncomfortable. She nursed twice in the middle of the night. Very short feedings, I think I was drowning her out... I am okay if its time to stop, Not as emotional as yesterday. I know I did a wonderful thing for her and I loved the bonding we spent together. I think it helped when she took a bottle today I held her the same as nursing and we played the game of gazing into each others eyes and playing with each others faces and hair, and giggling. I realized I still have a special bond that is strong. I don't have to have my breast in her mouth to have it. I think I am just weird about the change. I have been nursing almost 1 1/2 yr. What is life going to be like when I stop? Its was a struggle starting and a struggle stopping. (emotionally) It has became second nature. I don't know how people who nurse for yrs get through this.

[kohlby]

Did she all in a sudden start nursing very little? Or was it gradual? If it was sudden, then I'd put money on it being a nursing strike. Maybe she's sick or teething. Try to nurse her when she's half-asleep. Both of my kids went through nursing strikes - DS's was due to hand/foot/mouth disease and DD due to teething. I found I could only get them to nurse when half-asleep. So, that's what we did until it passed. I did pump during that time too to keep my supply up.

[stephie]

She did just stop all of a sudden and she is teething, her molars are coming in. four at a time. she is very cranky. Normally when she teeth's she nurses all the time. I do want to encourage weaning. I have been nursing at night and once today. I am alot better now then a few days ago I am not so engorged, I am sure I have a low milk supply now. I am going to take this opportunity to attempt to wean completely. Maybe then she will eat more solids and sleep longer at night. She is walking now so she is very distracted. I am not as emotional because she nurses at night and I really focus on it and am kinda saying the goodbye to it. Gradual weaning is alot easier on me, I am not sure if she cares. She did ask to nurse this morning, (by asking I mean pulling my shirt up). I am not pumping. I hope I am doing things right. I feel selfish for wanting to stop. She is so wiggly during sessions thats its more annoying and stressful. The only time is wonderful and peaceful is when she is half asleep or hurting.
Thanks for the support I really need it.

[Bama_5]

Stephie,

Bless your heart. There is a certain sadness that often goes with weaning whether child led, mommy led or a combination of both (as it sounds you are doing). The way I have always managed was by looking forward to nursing my next (often, this was only months away when toddler was weaning). However, this time, I am not planning on another baby (not at this point anyway) so, dealing with the end of nursing will be different.

When my first ds self weaned, he asked to nurse (as you say more with motions than words), I offered and just as he started to nurse, he grinned, sat up and shook head and asked for cup. This happened several before he quit asking. Months later, he asked again (on two occasions) just to see what I'd say (I think) as he didn't really nurse either time.
He was only 16 months and I was not ready but, as you have said, felt I should respect his readiness. Thankfully, my other dc's have not weaned that early.

Another way we "get through this" as you put it, is by doing what you said. We find other ways, new ones to bond and snuggle together. This is just one of the many times we have to learn to let go and find joy in watching them "do" instead of helping them "do". It is a lifetime of those milestones for parents.

Have a great Day and read a book or play ball together :)

Bama

[stephie]

My dd is only nursing about twice a night. She in no way interested in nursing in the daytime. She does sometimes nurse in the morning around eight or nine. My breast feel like they are empty all the time now. I am not pumping at work anymore and boxed up all the pumping gear. I still two gallon bags full of EBM. I should probably start thawing out and giving her. I don't want to waste all that pumping. I am finally at a okay point with all of this. Maybe because we are nursing at night and that doesn't bother me two much. I am however about to start taking foster care newborns in and I might get alittle cranky waking up with two babies but i can handle it. I am not encouraging her to stop night nursing I will let her give that up on her own. I think that will be better for both of us. I did have a rough three days with not nursing in the daytime, My girls were so big and hurt so bad. But on day four. It was all better. Thanks again for the support. I might need it again when the night nursing stops.