I'm the mom of two. My youngest son is 19 months old and still nursing once or twice a day. I didn't intend to nurse for this long, but he has insisted. My oldest weaned herself at about 12 months, but this one is crazy about the boobies and tugs at or tries to lift up my shirt when he feels the need. Any suggestions for helping to wrap this up other than wearing tucked in turtlenecks 24/7? It's so tough to tell him no when it's good for him and he enjoys it, but I feel like he's really getting to be to old to nurse. Thanks!
He understands no, so just tell him no. Tell him mommies boobies no longer work and he has to drink milk from a cup like other big boys. Than, put band aids over your nipples so if he tries to suckle he can't.
I nursed till my daughter was 22 months old. I never planned on going on that long, but it just seemed natural. I weaned her though when it got to be too much for me (playing, more than nursing). To make it easier on her and my boobs (wanted milk to slow down) I cut down by one minute from her normal nursing time. Every few days after that I would cut it down by another min. Sure, when I finally had to tell her no she was upset and cried, but with some extra snuggles she was fine.
When my son would ask to nurse, I would try to distract him with something else that he really liked to do. We might read a book, play with his trains, or do something else together. I dropped one feeding at a time until we were just nursing once in the morning when he'd wake up. We finally got past that last feeding when we went on an out-of-town trip and our whole routine changed. He didn't even seem to notice that he hadn't nursed that morning. When we got home, he didn't ask for it anymore. Good luck!
He's old enough for you to finally tell him your boobs are broken... but offer him something else instead. He just needs a new habit to replace this one.
I agree with Jen C, that worked for my 1st son, but not my 2nd one and not all kids are the same. With the 2nd it was more of comfort and attachment versus food, so you have to slowly provide an alternative until he is no longer using you as pacifier. As long as I laid down with my 2nd he would be tempted, so I stood up and rocked him over the shoulder. He fussed of course, but as time went by he got the idea. The other thing was to deter him physically. I put aloe on mine, but if band aid works, try that too!
Of course he still wants Mommy's Milk... majority of children will not self wean (as in without ANY encouragement) before 2.5 years old.
He's at the age where he can learn "Wait". If you don't want to right that second, teach him to wait, and then follow thru with a nursing session shortly after.
My daughter self weaned just before 5 years old... after 2.5 y/o her main nursings were first thing in the morning, nap time if we napped together and bedtime (we also bed-shared). Breastfeeding so long kept her from some mighty nasty viruses and germs going around in the daycare and Pre-K over the years - I promise you that!
If your son is telling you in actions, that he's not ready... why force him? It's easier on all to just let it go naturally.
