Weaning - Saint Paul,MN

If you want support, you'll definitely find it here! I'm a nursing mom and my daughter is 27 months old. As a previous poster mentioned, there are some great benefits to the little one who nurses up to the age of two and even beyond that. Maybe what you can do, since it sounds like he is already cutting the bedtime nursing out himself, is to give him a push in that direction and try to not nurse at bedtime. That's one option. It would still be gentle and loving but would give you a little time to yourself.

Just want to mention too that you may not have to do much yourself. As your pregnancy continues, your milk supply will drop down due to changes in the hormones and little ones react differently to the changes. Some wean just from that because the milk just isn't there. Sometimes they come back after the baby is born but many don't, deciding that they're "big kids" and don't need what's baby's. Some decide that nursing along with baby gives them some time with mom so it just really depends.

Other than cutting the bedtime one (which again is up to you but it does sound like he's heading towards that himself), maybe just leave things be and let nature take its course. Nursing during pregnancy is just fine. If you can have sex, you can nurse (and I've heard that this can help the uterus prepare better for birth). You don't have to let people who aren't supportive know you are nursing and if you get a lot of grief, let them know that there are benefits to it for however long you nurse. Sixteen months is still very young and the immune system isn't even fully mature until around the age of 6 or 7. Plus, if you have a picky eat, breast feeding reassures you that your little one is getting SOMETHING in their diets. If you are currently nursing in public, you have the option of ending that if that makes you feel a little more comfortable. I have done that with my little one but then, I never felt comfortable nursing in public, even when she was a newborn.

Hope this helps you out a little.
J.

Jessia, cudos to you for nursing this long. What an awesome gift you are giving your son. Read your own request. You really sound like you do not want to wean yet, but are feeling social pressure to do so. I bfed all 3 of my kids and it was wonderful. I dont regret any second of it, even extended bfing my youngest. You are doing something healthy for your body as well - you get many health benefits the more you bfed. It sounds like your son is already cutting down, so chances are he will self-wean soon anyways. I would let him continue as long as you are comfortable. My 2 youngest are 21 mos apart and I bfed both of them, so for almost 4 yrs, I was either pregnant or nursing - so I can totally understand wanting your body back. :) Do what is right for you and your son and don't feel like you need justification to continue. I think it is awesome.
S.
mom of 3 (bfed them for 9 mos, 12 mos, and 21 mos) and licensed family child care provider

Don't let other people's opinions sway you. Do what seems right for you and your son. Doctors are now recommending nursing until two years old. The old recommendation used to be one year old, but there are real benefits to the baby if you can continue. Either way your son will be fine. He'll probably naturally wean as he eats more at mealtimes and would rather play than nurse.

J., Do what YOU feel is right. I nursed both of mine til they were eight months..and I had enough milk frozen for my youngest to last another 2 months. I really didn't want to quit yet but work and work related stress interfeared. It is great that you are able to do it for so long. You are an awesome mom!!!

I just posted about my issues with weaning as well! I'd love to hear your advice on nightweaning as that is currently the only time I still nurse my son Max who is nearly 15 months old.

Hi J.,
I am currently nursing my 16, almost 17, month old. I know exactly what you are saying. I feel like I am constantly defending my decision. I was going back and forth on weaning for quite a while too and then I just decided to forget what everyone else says or thinks, and do what is right for us. I personally can’t come up with any reasons to stop. I guess the only possible reason for me would be to get my body back for a while before getting pregnant again, but yet it’s not that big of a deal for me either. I only nurse twice a day, once in the morning and once at night and sometimes we add a time or two on the weekend. I figure it’s still very healthy for her, she loves it, I enjoy it and it’s a very special bonding time so I really don’t have any reason to stop. We will wean when it is right for us, and I think that is the most important thing. No matter how you feed your child that you do what is right for you and your baby regardless of what others think.