Is it just me or has anyone else gotten really moody, temperamental, impatient when trying to wean from breastfeeding? I'm working on weaning my 15 month old, and I swear I've lost all of my patience and have felt really edgy these last couple of weeks. I've gotten him down to just his naptime feeding, daddy is helping with bedtime and so sometimes I have to nurse him down for bedtime/ or middle of the night feedings. So we are almost there...BUT I don't recall feeling or acting this way with my first.
Then again he was my first and I didn't have the stress of dealing with 2 kids or a 3 year old who's driving me insane. So I'm trying to figure out is it the weaning process with my hormones going all whack, or is it just my kids driving me to insanity ;) If it is the weaning at what point did it get better for you? If its my kiddos, can someone tell me when the 3 year old antics of whining, crying, and defiance get better soon than later. I thought I was prepared for this stage but clearly not... Thoughts?
It's a mix of both, craziness and hormones!
Keep it up, you are doing great. As for the 3 year old, I've been doing Dr. Sears suggestions and it's been helping tons with his behavior as well as my ability to remain (more) calm:
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/6/T060100.asp
I think that you will find as your kids get older the things that irritate you are just going to change. One thing will stop - another will arise. As much as you love them, they will probably be driving you nuts for quite some time..... :0(
My first daughter who is now 3 just started going through her terrible two's and i honestly think that if i would not of had another baby so close in age that she would have skipped it all together. But not i have a 15 month old daughter and a 3 yr old daughter who feed off each other and drive me insane. Im basically a single parent so let me tell you there are times when i would like to crawl in a big black hole and never come out. I think that they will grow out of it once they learn that it doesn't matter what they do that they are not going to get their way. (well at my house anyways). For me being only 21 yrs old with with kids under 4 and basically single i would say i have done pretty good. My kids are actually pretty well behaved compared to some kids ive seen. just be patient it will be over before you know it.
Weaning makes your hormones go CRAZY! I was 5 months pregnant with #2 when i weaned my son (he was 17 months) and I was a hormonal train wreck for about 2 weeks after his last nursing session. Your stresses with your 3 year old are probably adding a lot of fuel to the fire too, but there is hope! All of my nieces and nephews (12 of them) were awful 3 year olds that turned into downright-delightful 4+ year olds!
These years with small children are so incredibly draining on us mamas. Do what you can to relax and do something for YOU at every chance you get. And to the poster below who asked why you're weaning: I think the answer could very well be because she does not want to breastfeed anymore. 15 months is a long time to have someone else dictate what your body is used for, and I think its awesome that you are working gradually to wean him even though it sounds like it's much harder on you than it is on him. A happy mama is the best mama!
Its both.
Sorry.
My kids are 4 and 8. And I still feel that way.
Just wondering---why are you weaning if it's causing so much trouble? World Health Organization recommends breast feeding for at least the first two years.....just a thought. It sounds like it might be easier on everyone to wait a little while.
As for the hormones, try taking chaste tree berry (vitex) herb to help balance your hormones.
J.
I did have some hormonal/mood adjustment when weaning
I'm right there with you. My period came back last month and I've recently dropped my 13-month old son's feedings down to 2 per day. I think my period is going to start again soon and the pms feels completely exacerbated by the decreased breastfeeding. Not to mention, my naughty 4 year old daughter and the gloomy weather. I would bite the head off the postman if I could.
What else can we say? It will pass. Hang on. 3 year-olds are really hard to handle. My son has no fear of loud noises because of all the screaming his sister did when he was a small infant!
