I think he is weaning

[Mamacita]

My first little man self-weaned at 18 months, but I was pregnant with little man no. 2 I thought that was the reason anyway.

Now here Mason is 18 months and he has lost interest in nursing. It has been 3 days now. I am mixed over this. My goal was 24 months so we are 6 months shy of that but 18 months is a lot longer than most US babes are nursed. He was such a boob man I just knew when *I* was ready to wean it was going to be a hard process. Here he is making it an easy process and I am sad.:(

[Stephanie]

:hug: What a beautiful job you have done nursing for so long. He may surprise you, he might just be going through some toddlerness at the moment.

I haven't gone through it yet with dd, but I have very mixed feelings with the day she will wean.

[minx17051]

My oldest daughter weaned herself at just over 12 mos. she's just little miss independent. Still is a almost 3 years. I was disappointed and relieved at the same time. I don't know how things will go with my now 6 wk old. I hope its as easy. Just remember that nature rules if they are ready there isn't much we can do about it. Just cherish the time you had and enjoy the newfound freedom. lol Good luck!

[madelsmama]

Are you offering and he's refusing? Or he's just not asking? If you're not offering (which I'm guessing you are), you might try that before calling it over.

That said, eighteen months is within the range of the self-weaning age, Janna (18-24 months on the bottom of the range). That's certainly nothing to sneeze at!!

Hi, BTW. I've missed you!

[Mamacita]

Cheryl,
I am torn on the offering. I am not offering and he is not asking but up until now he has always expected to nurse first thing in the morning and right before bed. No he doesn't act interested.

The reason I am torn is this seems like an easy transition for him. What if I start offering and then when the time comes for me it isn't easy for him? You are the pro at this how did Madeline wean?

[Mamacita]

Oh yeah, I have missed you too! Glad to see you have survived the upheaval!

We need to have a DFW GTG at the end of summer.

[madelsmama]

Madeline weaned when I was pregnant. She was 2 1/2 and was down to 2 sessions a day, then just one. There were times when I did offer toward the very end, just making sure that she was sure was done. If she declined, it made me feel reassured that she was ready and didn't just forget in her busy-ness.

I might be a little more encouraging of an 18-month old to nurse, versus a 2-yr old, just b/c of the antibodies and dietary benefits, but then I'm not in your shoes.

I think you've gotta trust your mama gut on this one. :)
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And, we have our first neighbors as of tonight (still no cable, recycling pick-up or mail service)! She's breastfeeding a 3-wk old!

[ima062002]

Mamacita - he is just like Madelsmama said at the bottom range age wise to self wean. I am not sure I'd offer... the whole "child-lead weaning" is just that, and unless you've been giving him subconscious messages to wean (which can be a list of things, only you would know) I think that letting go is what would be the natural course... I think weaning is *always* bitter sweet, no matter the age. It's a chapter ending... and of course the beginning of a new one :).

[Elizabethdaisy]

you did a great job nursing him until 28 months. Kyler is kinda weaning himself to he is down to 2 nursings a day and if he doesnt ask I dont offer. its easier that way.

[Mamacita]

Mamacita - he is just like Madelsmama said at the bottom range age wise to self wean. I am not sure I'd offer... the whole "child-lead weaning" is just that, and unless you've been giving him subconscious messages to wean (which can be a list of things, only you would know) I think that letting go is what would be the natural course... I think weaning is *always* bitter sweet, no matter the age. It's a chapter ending... and of course the beginning of a new one :).


I actually haven't even thought about weaning so I am pretty sure he has not gotten any subconscious messages from me.

But you hit the nail on the head in regards to my feelings. Child led weaning is a hard thing to define! Do I wright it off to what Madelsmama mentioned as a possibility, busy distracted toddler or do I consider myself to be interfering with the whole child-led weaning if I offer just to make sure!! I seriously thought I had 6 months to a year before I had to think about this he was such a booby baby!

[Mamacita]

you did a great job nursing him until 28 months. Kyler is kinda weaning himself to he is down to 2 nursings a day and if he doesnt ask I dont offer. its easier that way.

ED that has always been my favorite part of nursing a toddler, when they get down to 2-3 nursings a day. BF gets easy and you have something that can get them to sit still and cuddle with you for a few minutes before they get all busy again!

[Elizabethdaisy]

ok I meant 18 months sorry. yeah its nice not to have to nurse all day long and I am hoping Kyler weans completely soon before this new baby is born. good luck with whatever he ends up doing. you did a great job nursing him as long as you did. I have to keep telling myself that.

[whitnessforhim]

I think you have done a fabulous job nursing this little man for so long!! No matter how the nursing relationship ends I think it will always be a bittersweet kind of thing.

[sweetkisses]

I tend to over analyze everything so I can only imagine the mixed feelings you must feel and trying to figure out the best way to do things. Good luck and congrats for nursing him this long!

[Beautifuldisaster2003]

congrats for nursing so long. you did a great job. if ds did that i would just let his wean.