In limbo about weaning

[flwrdrmgirl]

My DD is 14 mnths. My Dh wants me to wean, but I'm not ready b/c this may be our last child. I think DD would be ready b/c I only nurse her at bedtime and sometimes once during the afternoon.

If I continue until she's 2y/o, then will she become more attached and harder to wean? I have a friend (who just weaned her DD at 2y/o) who tells me that it may get harder when she learns to speak and starts pulling at my shirt?

[Jacksmommy]

If you want it to be gradual, then just stop offering. Don't say no if she wants to nurse, but just don't offer if she doesn't act like she wants to. My son is 3 and still nursing, and he has never been one to pull at my shirt or make a fuss. Will it be harder to wean her later? I have no idea. Some children become more attatched to nursing at certain times - like when they're teething. That's a time when I personally wouldn't try to wean, but when that happens exactly is different for every child.

[GirlsMama]

I would nurse as often as you and baby want to, actually personally, I would nurse as long as baby wants to. I would not wean a baby unless I had to for a pregnancy. (some women can nurse through pregnancy, I can't). Anyway, you can do some searching online and find a list of why it's good for a baby to nurse into toddler hood and share that information gently and casually with your dh. A dh is the last person who should have a say on when to wean, he is neither the nurser or the nursling. Good luck.

And on the subject of will it be harder to wean at an older age, I think not, because when they are older you can reason with them more.

[sarahplustwo]

I do think it is more heartbreaking to wean an older child that can speak because they ask for it and may even tear up. But you should do it on your own time but if your child seems to be fine without the breast it may be a good time to wean. Husbands just dont understand the bond we create while nursing when i weaned my son at the age of 15 months it was way harder on me then him, but my friend nursed untill her son was arround four years of age and had a very hard time because the child was so attached she was no longer enjoying it she just felt like she had to because her son would through fits to nurse so i guess there may be a time that both of you are ready just hope you can see when that time arrives

[crystal555rose]

Why does your husband want you to wean?

[sweetkisses]

I don't know if I would say it is necessarily harder to wean an older child. They are able to verbalize what they want but they also begin to understand conversations you have with them about nursing.

My dd recently weaned with gentle pushing in that direction on my part, she is 33 months. I started talking to her about it months ago, saying that someday Mommy's milk would be all gone and that at bedtime instead of having mommy's milk I would rock her to sleep instead. Now of course, I had to have this conversation multiple times and eventually she weaned.

In regards to babies and children pulling on shirts: it is okay to set limits. If you do not want your child doing that just let them know it is not okay.

And I would have to politely tell my DH that it is my choice when to wean not his.

[flwrdrmgirl]

I don't even remember why my DH wanted me to wean. I think he just didn't realize that I was still nursing DD at bedtime. I still am, but there isn't much left, so basically I am just holding on to the closeness. She 'signs' for milk when she knows it is her bedtime. But, I think she would be fine w/out it, so the time to officially wean her will come soon.

DD has an older brother. It's such a difference..the boy and girl. DD, I am relieved to say to this day at 18M, has never bit me while nursing. DS, on the other hand, used to play and bite a few times. Ouch!