Breast Feeding to Sleep -- What Happens Next?

I don't know much about breastfeeding, but I would assume she won't wean herself unless she learns how to put herself to sleep. You could try to to get her a lovey or something to help her fall asleep, my daughter has a stuffed bunny that she couldn't sleep without. Does she sooth herself back to sleep when she wakes up? Have you tried putting her down sleepy but awake?
My pedi dds said that kids who get cavities before they are 2 or 3 have to be sedated to have them taken care of. You (we) should brush their teeth before bed and not give them anything to eat or drink (breast milk included I'm assuming because it's on the teeth) and start flossing as soon as the teeth start to touch. I personally found it very valid because I don't think I would handle my daughter sedated very well =O)
Best of luck!
C.

Hi,

I did the same thing with my son. He was breastfed to sleep and at nap times until he was 15 months old. I ended up weaning him at 15 months because I became pregnant with our daughter and couldn't sit up with him for that long of a period because I had morning sickness so bad. Anyway, I just replaced the breastfeeding as part of the bedtime and nap routine with something else (like a few minutes of rocking, singing to him, etc). Then whatever you replace the breastfeeding with becomes the new cue in their mind that it is time to go to sleep now. You just have to be very consistant on doing the same routine everytime you put her to sleep. Hopefully that helps. =)

L.

I breastfed my son until he was almost 3. The bedtime feeding was the last to go. As a working mom, that was the best way for us to stay close and make time together. When he stopped nursing we replaced it with just being cuddled for a little at bedtime (in the same rocking chair we had nursed in) and even now (he is 7) I rub his back for 3 to 5 minutes after his bedtime story.

I guess I'm saying that it might be a bit of a challenge when she is first weaned to figure out what can be an appropriate replacement for the nursing at bedtime, but you and she WILL find an alternative that works. Congratulations on still breastfeeding too. Sometimes that is challenging but it is absolutely worth it.

Hi H.,

That is wonderful that you are still breastfeeding! I just did a little reading on this and the best thing I read is that one thing is certain, they will wean. You do not need to "do" anything. As they become more active toddlers they eat more and nurse less. They will begin to have just one to two sessions a day.
My mother said that at 17 months I just stopped one day. And I've talked to other mothers that it just sort of tapered off and one day they realized that they didn't nurse yesterday!

Nursing a toddler is a little different than a baby too. If you'd like support or to talk to other women check out La Leche League International (lll.org) for meetings in your area. They have a book too called the Womanly Art of Breastfeeding that has answered some questions when I needed it. The meeting are supportive and informative, and we have a really good time!

Again Congrats on nursing a toddler. I plan to let my son decide when to wean, he is 11 months. Studies show that breastmilk is very good for toddlers - especially they recover from colds faster. I definitely notice that difference with my boy.
take care!