My sweet daughter recently turned 18 months old. I’ve breastfeed her since she was born, and it’s been one of the best experiences of my life. But now that my daughter is getting older, breastfeeding has become something she does less. My goal when I started nursing her was to try to make it to two years of age – or when she weaned herself. I am 6 months months away from that goal.
I still intend to let my little pumpkin take the lead in choosing how and when we stop nursing. I would like to get through the rest of the winter for sure. I really think she has been protected from lot’s of flu and cold germs that were going around this winter, due to the antibodies she has been getting through my milk. But once spring is here, and the cold season has mostly disappeared – I can see weaning on the horizon. And I have such mixed feelings about it…
I’d love the advice of moms out there that have been down this road! Part of me feels like I’m ready to start the process of weaning by slowly cutting down how often I nurse her. Other times I feel like I should wait until she signals that she is done with nursing, and that if that takes a few extra months that it’s worth it. That I should do this at her pace. Will I know when she’s ready? Will she really just stop nursing all by herself? Or do I need to facilitate the process? I just don’t know.
(Mary Cassatt: Louise Breastfeeding Her Child)
Of course complicating the issue are my own mixed feelings about giving up nursing. I have seen what an amazing and comforting bond it has created between pumpkin and I. And once it’s gone, I know I will long for those quiet intimate moments that were just pure mommy and baby. On the other hand, I am feeling excited about the prospect of throwing out my nursing bras! And I’m practically giddy at the idea that I wont have to judge every outfit I wear based on how easy it will be to move aside for nursing! I’m ready to move on, and yet I’m so sad that I can see this special time in my babies life ending!
The bottom line is that I can put my own feelings aside, if it meant doing what was best for my daughter. I am just not sure what that is. Do any other moms have any advice?
About Shannon SchmidShannon traded in her sensible NYC TV producer shoes (they were best for taking the subway), for a pair of Texas Cowboy boots when she married her best friend! He's at fault for making this Yankee a Texan! Shannon writes about all things that make a house a home. Her chief blogging inspiration is being the proud & slightly neurotic mom of a preschool age daughter.
You can find Shannon on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and her new favorite place to hang out, Google+.
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Neat blog you have here 😉
Happy Friday!
Hi Shannon,
Thanks for stopping by my blog! Don't you just love FF and meeting new friends!? I enjoyed my visit. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
~Gay~
itsahodgepodgelife.blogspot.com
I can not provide any insight on this topic as I only breastfed for 3 months. but might I add that it is FABULOUS that you have been able to keep it up for this long. Congrats to you.
Hi, thanks for following me and I am now following you from the Friday Follow…
I nursed my last child for 29 months, and I am glad I let her keep going until she was ready to be done. And yes, you will know when your little one is ready, great job on nursing as long as you have…the bond you are making and nurturing will remain…a life time of love!!
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cassandra
I nursed all my kids and am still nursing my almost 2 yr old but only at night and sometimes in the morning. I did slowly stop the daytimes feedings when each of them got older but let them decide when they were done with the night one-they all (except for the one now) let me know they were done by only nursing for bit and coming off pretty quickly. I'm having a tough time with thinking about my youngest not nursing anymore-sniff. Nursing is great for so many reason. Good Luck and congrats on nursing for so long.
you are such a passionate mother!!!
i have not journeyed down that road myself but it seems like you are making the right choice by putting her needs first!!!
Your blog is BEAUTIFUL!!! I LOVE the cookies!!!!
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Thanks for stopping by and following me! I'm following you now as well!
I nursed all 4 of my boys and never used bottles. The 1st I nursed to the age of one (b/c I was made to believe that you quit at one and I was young.) The rest of them nursed to 17 months. I always had to wean mine because I was pregnant or having hormonal problems myself that caused other complications with me. (With 2 of them it was due to pregnancy though.) I don't think it is bad to continue and the feelings you are having are completely normal. You have this special bond when you nurse and you don't want to lose it, however you will always have that bond with your child even if it is just holding her and soothing her to sleep. If you feel that she is nursing too much though, like more just for habit it wouldn't hurt to cut back a little and just give her a cup a little more often. It's your opinion though and I think every mother will give you a different opinion on the matter. Good luck! You have done great nursing her this long! 🙂
I nursed my two boys til they were 11 months and 9 months, respectively. They went straight from the breast to a cup. Neither of them ever had a bottle. I weaned the first one at 11 months when I found out I was pregnant for the second. The younger one pretty much weaned himself at 9 months. I loved nursing them…you're right–it's a wonderful, bonding, quiet time. Good luck. I'm sure you'll have no problem when you or she decides it's been enough.
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hey! you know I don't have experienced advice about this cause I've never had a baby/nursed, but maybe you could just let her wean off as she wants, like if she wants to nurse let her, but maybe if you don't introduce it she'll want it less. You could also bring another form of bonding into your relationship, maybe something that you could do where you both sit and talk every day at a certain time or (i would say get together and drink tea or paint your nails lol but thats out of the question yet I guess!)or maybe you could draw together?
I'm stopping by from Friday Follow :0)
I was also hoping to nurse longer than a year. Congrats to even making it that long!
It's not something I have personal experience of, but I have a friend who nursed her son until he was 3. And another friend who let her daughter choose, and daughter stopped wanting milk once she got the hang of food. I'm sure, as with so many things, you just need to find the right balance for you (both).
I nursed both my girls, and they both took the lead. #2 had *some* help because I had to have minor surgery and she was almost a year old and I knew I didn't want to spend recovery time pumping and dumping, but she didn't even flinch. 🙂 It is definitely bittersweet, I went through those same exact emotions!
hi shannon. i love your story! i am a mother of 3 that i nursed. the first one i did till 9 months the 2nd one it ws 10 months and the 3rd one was till 11 months. and i wanted to stop. i felt that they all could drink from a sippy cup or a bottle. but i never ever gave formula as a suplement. it was either my milk or whole milk, only as they got older. if you feel the need to nurse longer.. that is your choice. and it is only right for the baby to decide wether she/he wants to stop. i stopped when the started teething and started using my breasts as there own personal chew toy LOL 🙂 it is great to see young women out there that breastfeed. i wish more would do it, and that it wouldnt be so wrong to feed in public, as long as you cover yourself… whats the difference? congrats to you for going this long! 🙂
I started to wean my oldest a few months before he turned 1 by gradually replacing feedings. The night before his 1st birthday was the last time I breastfed him, and I was so ready to be done! He never skipped a beat! He was completely fine and never went through any withdrawal. I found ways to get our alone too. We would sit in the same chair I sat in to breastfeed and read books or sing songs, and at night I would rock with him for a little while before putting him in his crib. He turned 4 today, and he and I are still best friends and totally bonded, and he has no hard feelings about me weaning him 😉
Thanks for stopping by, following you back. Love the anme of your blog!
I breastfed my oldest until he was 2.5, my middle until he was 19 months, and my youngest until 15 months.
I think the reason that my first nursed so long was b/c my milk got an extra boost when he was 17 months, with the birth of his brother.
With my other two, I just let them take the lead and self-wean. I didn't push and just nursed if they wanted to at nap and bedtimes.
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Kelly from Kelly's Lucky You
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As with most things involving mother/child…let your heart lead you. Both of you will know when the magic weaning time is and the stress of making that decision will be reduced. I love your "writer's voice" and the pictures on this particular post were beautiful!
Following from Friday Follow.
I nursed until right about 6 months, once my son got a taste of "real" food, he became super aggressive, and I went from never having a problem, to cracked and bleeding. I did everything, I even went back to the lactation consultant at the hospital for tips/tricks/cures. Nothing worked, so for a month I pumped…pink milk, ugh. Waking in the middle of the night to give him a bottle and simultaneously pump just broke me. I nursed him one last time, with tears, and I was done. I pumped a little longer, trying to decrease the supply so it wouldn't be as painful…but it was still pretty uncomfortable.
I am not preg with #2 and I cannot wait to get back on the bandwagon! I loved nursing, that bonding time was so precious.
You know, I'm not a mom, so I really can't be of much help on this subject, I'm afraid. But I did want to comment anyway and tell you I think what you wrote was just lovely, and that Pumpkin is a very lucky baby, indeed!
Good luck with your decision on this!
I would definitely let her take the lead. Dont force it on her, let her have her normal drinks and snacks and see how it goes! My littlest was done at 15 months, I let him decide and then all of a sudden it was just at night and then not at all!
You both will know what is right, wish you lots of luck!
I am visiting you form Friday Follow and LOVE this post. I am a new SAHM and after 4.5 months, my daughter, Juniper, and I are finally getting into a nursing groove . . . but I'm already thinking about preparing for the day she weans. If my family history is any indication – she may not make it a year before she self-weans, though I would be happy to nurse her longer. I am eager to hear what your readers have to say!
I'm going to follow you. Check out my blog and see if you would like to follow me back! 🙂
My first one weaned himself at 1. At that time I was pumping since I had to work full time. When he moved from a bottle to a cup, he just stopped wanting to nurse. I now have a 5 month old and plan to nurse at least until he's 1. I haven't really thought about weaning. This time I am able to be a SAHM. I just plan to let him lead.
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Hi,
I'm a new follower From Friday Follow
Nursing my children was one of the best times with them for me.
Hope you have a great weekend
Hi there, Shannon! Thank you for the "follow" and your sweet comment.
I remember those nursing days very fondly. I nursed my son until the day after he turned 2, and my youngest self-weaned when she was about 19 months old. My oldest–sad to say–I only nursed her until she was 4 months old. 🙁
My best advice is to follow your baby's lead. It was really hard on my son to stop nursing but my youngest–like I said–did it on her own which made ME sad! 🙁 I guess there's really no winning in this game of motherhood, is there? 🙂 But it sounds like you're both doing very well; you sound like an amazing mother.
Best wishes to you both,
Hi Shannon–following back from friday follow. Thx 🙂
I think that you should take her lead and not be sad about it (who am I kidding?!?!? I cried like hell when I stopped! But, I stopped w/my 1st of 4 children when she was 11 months old, in order to conceive and give her a sibllng… so I was focusing on the positive).
It's hard… but to make it a little easier… take some pictures of your pumpkin nursing. Maybe a quick video. You may never look at it… or not for years (I still haven't!!), but you'll realize that you can "go back" and see it. Now, after nursing 4 kids, I just sweetly watch my friends who are nursing and get my fix. It's an amazing, amazing GIFT that you don't realize it's true realness until it's gone. FOllow your pumpkin's lead. You'll get that gut instinct that "it's time" to quit. Mine all were less than 1 year… different for all mommies!!
Hi Shannon,
I'm visiting from Friday Follow too, stopping by to say since you said hi at my blog.I thought yours looked familiar and then I saw the post about the Nutcracker and realized I had read it before! I don't have any advice about breastfeeding either, so good luck! Looks like you've had a lot of good advice so far. Oh we have some CUTE patterns in our shop for little girls. Let me know if you're ever visiting San Antonio, and we can hang out.
Anna
I was only able to nurse both of my babes for 7 and 8 weeks, and it was emotional for me each time I weaned them. I can't imagine how hard it would be for me if i had been able to do it that long. they were both great at it too, they took to it like champs! i'm getting nostalgic just typing about it. it is such a special, precious gift for just moms and their babies!
you'll do whatever's best, we always do!
trisha
Hi Shannon…
Stopping by from FF…Happy Friday!!
WOW…in reading your story about nursing I can not believe that my lil man just turned 7 this past November. Time surely does fly. You ask a very good question but I fear it's one that you are going to have to figure out on your own. Every baby and every mommie is different. Some of us that have been down that road can tell you our stories though….I think that Chaz would still be nursing if I had not started taking steps to wean him…LOL!!! He started when he was about your wee ones age and by the time he was two we were both weaned from one another. You find other ways to keep that close bond. Reading took the place of nursing for us…he could still sit in my lap and us cuddle just as tightly. Best of luck to you on your upcoming new adventure!!!!
Hugs,
Regi
Hi Shannon,
Thanks for visiting my blog. Glad I found you! I look forward to reading more of your posts!
Hello from a Friday Follower! Great to meet you!
Hey thanks for stopping by my blog!! I following you back now!
I cant wait to get to know you 😀
-Jami @Intentionally Living..
Back from #ff! My now 9 year old would have NEVER stopped nursing had I not gotten pregnant (He abruptly stopped, I found out a few weeks later I was pregnant, I suppose my hormones changed things up for him). Really though, he had no interest in anything other than breastmilk and now that he's 9 I can understand why, he has an extremely sensitive stomach and foods bother him. Anyway, my advice is to always try to follow their lead, but I realize that's not always possible.
That's awesome that you've had such a commitment to breastfeeding. It staggers me how many moms won't even try it – or give up so easily. I nursed my daughter until she was 16 months old – we had to give it up because I was pregnant with our second child & we had some other medical complications that would have been worsened by nursing any longer. Thankfully, Bella gave it up without a fuss. I loved those quiet moments with her, but there are so many other wonderful moments that we share. As much as I treasured the experience, I haven't missed nursing her at all. Hope that is encouraging.
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With a child only 8 months younger than yours, I really don't want to give up nursing either. The only thing that I don't like is pumping 4 times a day in my office so that he doesn't have to have any formula when he is at daycare.
I really hope that you are able to make 2 years (at least).
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Following you back from FF. Thanks for stopping by Hip2bMom.com. Hope to see more of you 🙂
Both of my kids weaned themselves. My daughter tried to wean herself waaaay too early so I forced her to struggle along with me until she was 10 months. She just did not like nursing. My son enjoyed nursing but he weaned himself shortly after his first birthday. I don't think it was anything I did. He just slowly dropped off and then stopped. When I offered the breast he wasn't interested. I think I have weird kids though. Since your child has nursed this whole time, I'm not sure she will wean herself. If she doesn't I would just offer the breast less often than you did before. Try offering her a sippy first and then if she doesn't want it, offer the breast.
Nice work on the blog, being a mom for the first few months can be quite challenging, but in the long run your child will grow up and be successful.
Thanks for stopping by My Krazy Life! Following you. Great blog site!
Thanks for the kind comments on my blog! You have a beautiful blog yourself. Friday Following you right back!!!
Have a blessed weekend.
Thanks for the kind comments on my blog! You have a beautiful blog yourself. Friday Following you right back!!!
Have a blessed weekend.
Following back!! Happy Friday.
I love the cookie in your signature!!!
🙂
Thank you for stopping by my blog and following. I am following you.
I wish I could have BF my son longer, but it wasn't so easy for us. I know from this side, I really hope that with the next child it will be different. The emotions of BF are so mixed. I hope that once it does happen, you and pumpkin are very happy with the change. 🙂
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Hi There! Thanks for the follow! I'm following/subscribing to you now too! Thanks!
Bridgette Groschen
The Groschen Goblins
I am doing "don't offer, don't refuse". I love doing it on his terms, much less mommy guilt that way. 😉 it's a very slow process, some days none, some days lots. A while ago he stopped ever asking to nurse unless we were home. Now I think my mill has all but dried up with everything my body has gone through but he does not seem to care. Some says he goes days without nursing. Good luck! Email me if you want to knowore about it working for us.
Hi! Thanks so much for stopping by my blog to visit and follow. I am returning the follow and visit.
following you back!
and by the way, been nursing for 2.5 years with no end in sight. just something to think about…
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Stopping by from FF and following your blog 🙂 Hope you have a great weekend!!
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Nice to meet you… I'm following you back!
Fellow Friday Follower! Thanks for the visit! Blessings!
I can't give you any advice because my kids were all bottle fed. Thanks for stopping by my blog and following. I am now following you. Hope you have a great weekend.
Thanks for following my blog. I am now following you.
I have breastfed all four of my children past 18 months. The first two I weaned at 21 months and 19 months respectively, but they both weren't totally ready. My third child I kind of pushed to wean at 2 1/2, but once he quit he never asked again. I am still nursing my littlest at 26 months and he doesn't seem ready at all. I will let him take the lead on this. So, I guess I have no real advice other. You have done a great job nursing this long and I think that is awesome. You have to do what feels best for your child and you.
I am a late FF! Thanks for stopping by my blog.
I think it is absolutely wonderful for you to put your child's need first in breastfeeding. I had my son a little later than most and much to my sadness could not produce enough milk for him to breastfeed and that saddens me to this day! I know you will end up doing what works best for you both! Have a great weekend
With my son I really wanted to nurse him until he was ready to stop. By the time he was 19 months we were down to just a couple times a day, sometimes just at night before bed. By then I was almost 2 months pregnant, and my doctor really thought it would be best if I stopped nursing altogether (I have a somewhat complicated pregnancy history, so I was wanting to do the same thing too). So, I slowly weaned him by just nursing at night, and then replacing that with book reading and snuggling before bedtime. I never gave myself a day that was the "last day"…I knew that would be too emotional for me. One night I just didn't nurse him, and by then he was into his new routine. He still LOVES to snuggle at night before bed, and my singing and reading to him has really helped the transition to no nursing. He is almost 23 months now, and I love that we still share that special mother/child bond. HTH!
Blessings, Grace
One of the reasons I quit my job is to be a SAHM and to breastfeed my boy for as long as I can and I've done a pretty good job so far… not a speck of formula powder in our house ever since we got home from the hospital after I delivered my boy in March last year.
Oh gosh! My boy is going to be 1 year old in 2 weeks time and I've also been asking the same questions myself! When and how?!! When is this going to last cos I really loves BF-ing and how do I go on after that?
. . . . . .
Happy FF!
Im late but Im following!
Hi! I'm following you back from Follow Friday. I wish I had some weaning advice for you, but I don't because I wasn't really able to breastfeed (due to anatomy issues and low supply). But, I would give my right arm to have been able to nurse my daughter!
Following you back from friday follow!!
Thanks
mavericks mommy
I am, unfortunately, completely worthless in the advice department. I nursed my first daughter for 6 months and my 2nd for about 4 months. Work just got in the way. I work full-time outside the home and just didn't get the chance (or the space and privacy) to pump like I needed to.
Either way, you've done a fantastic job keeping it up this long and I'm sure no matter what happens she has gained tons from it already. Good luck!
I was neve able to nurse, but that hasn't made the bond with my daughter any less. There is something between a mother and daughter that transcends all else. Women need each other. Your Pumpkin will get by, and you've done well to get this far 🙂
Hi Shannon! Thanks for stopping by and following my blog! So glad to meet you!
Wow, weaning is such a personal thing. Whose to say what is the "right age"? I breastfed all three of my children. The first two for 14 months and the third for a year. I got pregnant with my third when I was still breastfeeding and my OB told me I should wean before I was 20 weeks along. I did and later found out that there really is no reason why I shouldn't have continued throughout my pregnancy. So when my third was born I thought I might let him nurse as long as he was interested, thinking it would be longer than the other two. I was wrong…he definitely weaned himself and at only a year old. All of the sudden he just wasn't interested. I thought maybe it was a nursing strike, but it was permanent. I was not ready emotionally, but I just had to accept it. You nurse your sweet baby as long as you want to and don't worry about what anyone else says. It is a special time and it's sad when it's over.
Our children are the same ages:)
First of all, I have to say-PROPS TO YOU! I admire all of you mommas who breastfeed for longer than a few months. Mine only lasted a few weeks, but that was because I wasn't producing enough milk for my little guy.
My son has been on formula and cows milk (knock on wood) and in terms of being sick, he has only had a few runny noses thus far. However, I agree that you should do what feels right for you and your daughter!
I know the mixed feelings…I breastfed Alex till he was 18 months…then I weaned. He is 5 now and still mentions occassionally how he used to drink milk from Mommy and how there's no more because he drank it all…he even says that he misses Mommy's boo boo's (that's what he called them because I would always say – when they were cracked – how it was a little boo boo). I really think he misses the pure Mommy time. So whenever he does mention it, I make sure to spend quality one on one time with him – tough with 4 other kids, but, I do it for little man. Good luck.
Everyone around me said to stop when my son turned 12 months and that was my plan but he wouldn't take regular milk so I didn't feel right weaning him then. Then he kept getting sick so I used that as an excuse. I don't think either one of us was ready to give it up. He wasn't nursing as often, just at nap time, bedtime, and during the night. I was also pulling away once I knew he had his fill. I planned to wean him at 18 months and started to encourage him to take a bottle over me and more times he started choosing the bottle until eventually he altogether preferred the bottle than me. So he stopped when he was ready, I was also ready, and there was no big fuss at all! It was a great transition! So my advice is to just go with your instincts and do what's best for you and your daughter! Good luck!
I don't have any advice but I loved nursing both of my boys. I weaned them at about 15 months, when they started to pull up my shirt and giggle as they bit my nipple. I loved every part of nursing (except for the occasional plugged duct). I am sure that you will come to the decision when it is meant to happen.
Stopping by from Friday Follow. I wasn't able to nurse by boys, so I don't have any advice. But I can certainly see why you would have mixed feelings. It's always bittersweet when your little ones grow into another stage.
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http://www.heartsmakefamilies.com
I am now following you from Friday Follow! Great blog and thank you for stopping by my blog too:)
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I'm returning the Friday Follow favor –
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I wish I could have breastfed, but I couldn't. 🙁
Wish I could help hun but I didn't have a choice. With both my girls my milk dried up at the 5 month mark. I tried everything to get it back but it just never did. Thanks for stopping by today, I am already a follower 🙂
Following you back from Friday Follow! Have a great weekend!
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I am a new follower and currently nursing, so I know how you feel.,
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Hey shannon. I am a mom to 3 kiddies. I have nursed all of them until they were right about 2. I think it is a mutual thing. they will let you know that there are other ways to comfort them (Cause let's face it, at 2, it's about comfort more than nourishment.) and you will feel like you are ready for your body to be yours and not necessarily a milk factory. I cherished all of my nursing time with my babies, but I am enjoying the next stages too! 🙂
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Hey there I'm following Back from Friday Follow. Have a good Friday!
Thanks for stopping by my blog! I am now your newest Follow Friday follower!
The only one's I successfully breastfeed were my twins, and they pretty much weaned themselves by 10 months when they discovered the joys of sippy cups!
Hi Shannon…its nice to meet you. Thanks for stopping by my blog. I LOVE your blog….cookies mmmmmmm.
I nursed my first two sons (not my 3rd due to medical reasons). My oldest stopped on his own. He started to lose interest at 6months. He was a nosy boy and didnt want to miss anything. That really broke my heart. I cried for DAYS! My middle son nursed for a year, but the last few months was only at nights. I wish I could have nursed my youngest but sometimes God has other plans.
I hope things go well with your weaning.
Thanks for stopping by my blog for Friday Follow. I love your blog as well!
Thanks for visiting me at Good Goog – I love your site!
Thanks for the follow and for helping me reach my goal. I have no advice for you, as I didn't nurse my 1st child and the second for only a short time. But, I love Mary Cassatt's paintings! She was amazing. I'm following you now, too.
That is an amazing inspiration story! Thanks for the Friday Follow, I'm following you back.
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Hi — I'm a new FFollower, but just weaned my 29 month old daughter three weeks ago. We did the don't offer, don't refuse thing, but she was mainly using me for boredom relief. We're also trying to conceive our third and have been at it for nearly a year with Big Medical appointments looming, so I decided it was time to wean 1) to see if her still nursing was keeping me from getting pregnant and 2) if my doc put me on any type of medication, I don't want her ingesting it, so we went cold turkey. She argued with me for a while, but I told her that my milk was "all gone." After three days she completely forgot, but I do miss it…
Holy cow lady. You are a trooper. My little man took to bottles like a champ, but he was only 6 months old when I weaned him. Good luck!!
All of my babies weened themselves around 1 year. They were all just too much on the go to breastfeed anymore. Kinda sad.
I'd say follow her lead. She'll let you know when she is done.
BEAUTIFUL PICTURES!!!!
Hullo Shannon…am in love with ur blog and now with u…am here yeah from firiday follow and sorry for the delay..well my google feeds dont update so my new posts dont update in my pals blogs ,but thank God the adding feature aint stuck now…nope didn forget u and am more glad to check out ur wonderful blog….
Breastfeeding is something very emotional to me,im a student and ofcourse nt married but my mom fed me for more than 2 years and honestly i still feel the love….the umbical cord aside ,this bonded us and bonded us good…..
If i have an option for a drive between a close pal and mom ,or even a movie ,its mom whose company i enjoy and love more….
I love to see her first thing in the morn…
Aint an expert here and maybe have no rite to say this but say from the heart and from a daughters prespective…what it means to me tht my mom fed me that long ….
i can write a post about the emotions it stirs in me …beautiful emotions.actually u give me an idea ,i so wanna write a post on my mom and this is so sweet a beginin…thanx SHannon….
tht said,all i can say is i really love love love that u fed ur angel for 18 months,i know housewives u havent,its a personal choice no doubt ,but all i wanna say is i love ur choice….
Sorry …no advice about the weaning or not weaning:-)))
And hey dad,when i think dad,all i think is love ….love ….love …..LOL(ie my moms loads of love )
Thanks for stopping by my blog and following– I’m following you now too! I weaned my DS at 9 months. At first I felt so conflicted, but the minute we weaned I knew it was the right decision. He had been biting for 3 months and it was just too much for me. I was stressed and hurting due to all of the biting, and i think it was afffecting both of us. He went straight to a bottle no problem and I think we’re both happier now too! I totally hear ya on wanting to be able to wear anything you want… that was my favorite part of it all! Sometimes I still miss it, but I wouldn’t change my decision at all!
.-= Linds´s last blog ..Who Blind-sided You: The Story of Catching Me Off-Guard =-.
Thanks for finding me and I am so glad you’ve left your link, I’m your newest follower too:)
I love, this article. I know how you feel. I nursed Charlie til he was 15 1/2 months and he just weaned himself. I miss nursing, my little boy is just more a little boy now then my little baby.. boo hoo. I was sad when we were done nursing but I still wear nursing bras because I haven’t gone to the bra shops to get re-measured.
“As long as I’m living, my baby you’ll be”
-from Robert Munsch “Love you Forever” book, I’m sure you have this book, even though it’s kinda weird…LOL! It always makes me cry. Oh blessed be to motherhood!
.-= Mama Ash´s last blog ..Great Find-Mabu Cloths =-.
When Miss H was 13 months, I was only nursing her twice a day, and only because I needed to. She really wasn’t “asking” for it, but would take it when I gave it to her. I weaned her because I *thought* I was ready to give it up. Turns out, I wasn’t. I was really sad afterward and I wished I had let it go for awhile longer. If she is still into it, keep going.
Following you back from Friday Follow!
Just stopping in and looking around from Follow Friday! And just became your newest follower! Yea! Hope you stop by and return the favor!
My blog http://www.remodelaholic.com is all about interior design and remodeling there are some great tutorials so you can get the look you want on a budget! We also have a party every Friday to show off your stuff!!
Thanks for following! Following back atcha!
.-= Heather´s last blog ..Follow Me Friday =-.
🙂 Returning your visit and following now!
I breast fed both of my babies, and felt like it really made both of them healthier children! Both self-weaned before 12 months.
Impossible! You say. But I am not kidding. Neither one wanted to take the time to breast feed, so I gave them formula. YUCK! Strange but true!
I think every child is different, and every mommy too!
.-= AJ Collins´s last blog ..Sensational Haiku Wednesday – Chrysalis =-.
Thanks for following, I am now following your blog.
I wish I could give you advise on weaning your child from the breast. I wanted so badly to breastfeed my son but my body just wouldn’t produce when my son wasn’t on the breast a pump was just trying to produce milk, I tried vitamins and herbs and special foods and nothing but about an ounce a day for a week, then nothing. You are so lucky to have had that bonding experience the right time will present itself I’m sure.
Look forward to reading more!
Following you back from Friday follow. I don’t have any advice to offer on nursing, unfortunately.
I only nursed my first for 8 weeks. It was super easy to switch her to a bottle but then again, we only nursed for just 8 short weeks. My baby girl now is 9 months. I didn’t intend on nursing her this long, I just wanted to make it to 6 months. Now I just want to make it to a year. I know that it will be a big deal for me though. Good luck!
Thanks for stopping by my blog. I am your newest follower!
.-= Becca´s last blog ..A Typical Day with my girls =-.
I am following you back through Friday Follow! Thanks for following me! I nursed my oldest until she was 14 months old. It was a very special time between us! She is 10 now!!! (the other 2 stopped between 10 and 12 months) In my opinion you and your baby will both just know when it is time for the two of you to stop. I would let her show you when she wants to give up each feeding. I would try not to put a time on it but just a feeling. Whatever feels right for the two of you! 🙂 Cherish your time with her. She will be 10 before you know it!
Following you back Happy FF!
I nursed my daughter until she was 11 mos and the stomach flu came through and wiped out my milk and it never came back. We had to quit cold turkey which was hard at the time but in retrospect maybe an easier way to end it. Good luck!
Sarah
http://www.minnesotamamasmusthaves.com
Following back! I am now breastfeeding baby #4. Have nursed all of my children and it is such a wonderful experience!
WOW. Popular post. New follower here and thanks for being a new follower at my blog as well. Heck, thanks for actually reading the post!
I am coming on 12 months breastfeeding my little lady and I really can’t imagine stopping at this point. It’s so funny, as I never thought that I would be so attached to it. It is such a great connection.
I really wished I had stuck it out wiht my oldest but I don’t think I was in the right mindset.
Thanks for sharing. Good luck on the process. Due keep us posted as I could really use some insight in the future.
.-= Tickled Pink Twice´s last blog ..Feel Good Friday =-.
Thanks for the follow! Following you back from Follow Friday.
.-= Cher´s last blog ..Ragu Pasta Sauce Contest! =-.
Thank you for becoming my follower. I am following you now too. Isn’t Friday follow great.
I have nursed 5 babies now. Congrats to you for having enjoyed a successful breastfeeding relationship with your child. It was a great gift for her.
.-= Clarissa Neiding´s last blog ..The Dyson Animal Giveaway =-.
I’m following you through Follow Friday….I always love to meet another nursing mama 🙂 I’m actually still nursing my almost 3 year old as well as my 5 month old…yikes! I never ever thought I would do this, but there you have it…I’m sO doing it! 😉 My eldest only nurses once a day before naptime, tho….so I’m assuming once he gives up his naps, he’ll give up the nursing…
Good luck with your decision 🙂 I say just go with your gutt feeling about it. Always seems to work out that way 🙂
Thanks for visiting my blog. I was excited to see that you are another local blogger. Can’t wait to follow and see what all you are up to.
Thanks for stopping by my blog from Friday Follow! I’m following you right back!! Have a great day!
Personally I was only able to nurse my first for about 6 mo when my milk dried up. I found out I was pregnant, again. Then my second didn’t livelong enough for me to nurse. My goal with Naomi, my 3rd and last is to get to a yr and then we’ll see where we go from there. I don’t know when I’ll stop, for sure yet. You do what works for you and your baby, best. 🙂
Following you from FF… thanks for following me, too. 🙂
.-= AmandaK´s last blog .."Phone Etiquette", has it gone the way of the rotary phone? =-.
This last week I have been trying to decide to stop nursing or to continue to tough it out. My milk is disappearing. It’s such a tough decision to make and it breaks my heart a little. I’m not sure what I will do either.
Thanks for stopping by my blog. I’m a new follower. I love the layout of your blog!
~Amber @ The Mom Road
.-= Amber´s last blog ..An 8 month old, 4 adults and a nice dinner Out… =-.
My mom nursed me for 6 months and she nursed my youngest sister until she was 3! She just didn’t want to give up that special time. I can tell you that the bond they shared was the strongest of all the 4 siblings. It is a really special time. I nursed my sons for 6 months and 18 months. One was ready to stop and one wasn’t!
.-= Helena Lemon´s last blog ..Super Giveaways! =-.
I nursed for as long with both of mine and (gently and gradually) directed shorter or alternate nursing times. Don’t worry – you will still have a lovely bond and special quiet times with your little one.
.-= Nancy´s last blog ..A funny car ad? Swagger Wagon by Toyota – it is a riot. =-.