16 month old starting to wean?

[alohalani123]

My DS has fallen asleep for the past 3 nights completely on his own and 2 naps during the day on his own, but still wakes up 2-3 times to nurse during the night.

Usually, he wakes up at night and lets out a little cry and falls back asleep then about 10 minutes later he'll want to nurse.

I'm getting so excited! lol I know it sounds terrible. What do you guys think? How long more before you think he'll be fully weaned? I honestly will miss nursing, but it seems like he's doing it on his own so nothing I can do. :hugegrin:

[Rosawyn]

So he's only nursing 2-3 times and that's during the night? I guess if you're happy with that then it's good, but I think I prefer how my toddler sleeps though the night most nights (he usually nurses 2-4 times during the day).

So long as he's drinking well from a cup and eating a wide variety of healthy foods, you can relax and let him do his own thing. Of course, you will need to watch his diet more carefully once he's not nursing which is a pain. I still sometimes wish my 4 yo was nursing since he mostly just eats carbs and cheese (very few fruits and veggies, very little meat).

But like you said, when they do it themselves there is nothing you can do. And I'm glad things are going so smoothly for you. When ds1 weaned it was very sudden and verry traumatic. He had a double ear infection and nursing suddenly became very painful for him. So it was basically a nursing strike that turned into weaning because even when the ear infection healed, he didn't want to nurse anymore. He was 22 mo and I was devistated. So like I said I am glad things are going gradually and smoothly for you; that's the way it's supposed to happen. :)

[shree2006]

Switch him to a soft tipped NUBI cup. Don't relent. You are the parent. If you let him stay on the bottle, he will have problems with is teeth. This would also be a good time to ween him from his pacifier by the way. Kill two birds with one stone and what not. Letting him cry it out may be tough, but it won't hurt him. I'm not saying be cruel to him, but if you coddle him, you and him both will have problems later on down the road. He needs to learn to sooth himself, not scream until you relent and give him his way. If you don't stop this, he won't be able to deal with others as well. When he doesn't get what he wants, he will throw a tantrum and scream bloody murder. No day care, pre-school, or kindergarden will put up with this. Also, when it comes time to potty train, be firm as well. He needs to learn.
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[Jacksmommy]

My DS has fallen asleep for the past 3 nights completely on his own and 2 naps during the day on his own, but still wakes up 2-3 times to nurse during the night.

Usually, he wakes up at night and lets out a little cry and falls back asleep then about 10 minutes later he'll want to nurse.

I'm getting so excited! lol I know it sounds terrible. What do you guys think? How long more before you think he'll be fully weaned? I honestly will miss nursing, but it seems like he's doing it on his own so nothing I can do. :hugegrin:


He may be self-weaning. Many babies do around this age. He may also just be busy and distracted. He may want to nurse more when he's teething. That's also quite common. You can just follow his cues. Personally I would continue to offer to nurse throughout the day - and yes, at night if he's waking at night, until he's at least 2 years old.

[Jacksmommy]

Switch him to a soft tipped NUBI cup. Don't relent. You are the parent. If you let him stay on the bottle, he will have problems with is teeth. This would also be a good time to ween him from his pacifier by the way. Kill two birds with one stone and what not. Letting him cry it out may be tough, but it won't hurt him. I'm not saying be cruel to him, but if you coddle him, you and him both will have problems later on down the road. He needs to learn to sooth himself, not scream until you relent and give him his way. If you don't stop this, he won't be able to deal with others as well. When he doesn't get what he wants, he will throw a tantrum and scream bloody murder. No day care, pre-school, or kindergarden will put up with this. Also, when it comes time to potty train, be firm as well. He needs to learn.
_____________________________________________
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growth hormone (http://mailorderanabolics.com/)


It's been a long time since I've read advice this bad. I hope nobody takes it seriously.

[Maret00]

Switch him to a soft tipped NUBI cup. Don't relent. You are the parent. If you let him stay on the bottle, he will have problems with is teeth. This would also be a good time to ween him from his pacifier by the way. Kill two birds with one stone and what not. Letting him cry it out may be tough, but it won't hurt him. I'm not saying be cruel to him, but if you coddle him, you and him both will have problems later on down the road. He needs to learn to sooth himself, not scream until you relent and give him his way. If you don't stop this, he won't be able to deal with others as well. When he doesn't get what he wants, he will throw a tantrum and scream bloody murder. No day care, pre-school, or kindergarden will put up with this. Also, when it comes time to potty train, be firm as well. He needs to learn.


Wow not cool at all I think she asked how long it will take not how to tramitise a child! Crying it out is never a good idea until they are old enough to talk to them about it at least 2 yrs old. And the day cares and pre schools I have worked for will take a child that crys hoping to help them with attachment if that is the issue!

It could take anywhere from a week to 5mo just follow his lead.

[CandiceJones]

I have never let my children "cry it out" My son nursed for 11 months before he weined himself.. one day he nursed once and never wanted to nurse again. We co-slept with him and co-sleep with our 1 year old daughter. He started potty training at 18 months and was fully trained by 2. He now pretty much sleeps on his own.. some set backs due to jealousy of little sis... my son is very polite, please and thank you's for everything, shares anything and I rarely have to count past 3 in any situation or melt down before he gathers his bearings and calms down . While each child and every situation is different, I truly believe self soothing at an early age is for the birds and we should all follow our children's leads for less trauma and more trust that mommy and/or daddy really do understand and will take care of the problem. As long as we teach our children manners and correct and incorrect behavior consistently from an early age, they will take each step in stride as they are ready and more than likely hold our hands through it rather than us holding theirs. Remember, no matter how much we hold them, cuddle them, rock them, love them... there will be a day they will let go and we can never get that time back so cherish it, relish it as long as you can.

[imamommie]

Agreed. I still nurse my son once a day only to go to sleep. Last 3 nights it's the same thing... he's gone to sleep by himself by having his back rubbed or a bottle. We transitioned him into daycare recently and I thought he wouldn't go to sleep without being held and rocked by one of us... but it worked out fine. He had just naturally reached the right level of maturity at 15 months that he learned in a matter of 1 week to actually go to his play yard and ask to be put in for a nap! I could hardly believe it but it's starting to carry over to night time. I'm so glad we never let him cry it out. When learning to sleep in the playyard he cried for seriously only 3-5 minutes and that was it... and I was sitting right with him rubbing his back. That way he still feels love, support and trust even though he's not getting exactly what he wants.

I will really miss nursing... a lot. I will just have to embrace the new routine we'll have in cuddling before bed with a bottle instead of nursing. We'll still be just as close!