"Weaning My Breast Feed Daughter"

Hi M. - I am speaking from the perspective of having nursed three babies. The two youngest nursed until they were close to 2 - and much as your daughter - it was a comforting way to nap and go to bed at night. I wouldn't force weaning her away unless you are ready. Those sweet moments of nursing only last a short while. I did have to distract my son when weaning him at about 22 months, but my daughter who had slowed down considerably by 20 months just finished nursing one day and said "I done" and she meant it. That was the last time she nursed!
If you are ready, doing another comforting activity like reading stories or snuggling with a favorite lovey item can help the transition.
Best wishes to you.
C. E.

M.-

My suggestion is to follow your instinct with regards to nursing your daughter. There is certainly no harm in nursing her longer and I think it is important to do it at a time when you both feel ready. My nursed my son until he was just past 2 1/2 and I'm glad I had that special time for so long. As far as how I weaned, I made sure to explain things and to do it slowly. When I first brought it up, I really didn't change our nursing pattern until he had a little while to get use to the idea and it seemed to make a big difference with things going smoothly. At 17 months your daughter may not comprehend everything but I think being sensitive is really important. Overall however, if you don't feel you're ready and don't think she is I wouldn't hesitate in going past 18 months!

Good Luck,

W.

Both of my kids went cold turkey at 17 months. My son was just a fluke because every time it was time to nurse he had fallen asleep in the car. My daughter had just started losing interest even though I would have continued because I didn't want to admit that my last baby was growing up. I think it's fabulous that you nursed so long but am curious why your ped is suggested you wean. Many suggest you wean at 2yrs although that is far from the norm.

Hi M.! Good job for lasting so long with your breastfeeding! I had the same issue with my daughter, I was the human pacifier. Everyone kept telling me to let her wean herself and lord if I had done that she would still be breastfeeding! (she's 4) We were down to only one feeding before bed and one in the morning and I just gradually changed her routine. Before bed we started reading stories (in a different spot/chair) and I slowly let my husband take over the bedtime routine. I did have many nights during the transistion that I laid down with her for about 5 minutes of snuggle time. Try offering her a sippy before her nap and make sure she has plenty to eat and drink during the day. Do you guys have a rocking chair? I found that my daughter would (especially when she was tired)relax well with a rocking session. I would try to remove the afternoon feeding first and just move to one feed a day. Hopefully just not offering the breast and having a bit of a new routine will help her transition. Realize too that you might have some backsliding but just be consistant and I think you'll be fine!
Good luck and congratulations again on such a great accomplishment. :)