We've weaned

[DrSally]

and

I'll just say that I never thought I'd be nursing a 3 year old (just turned 3). We had a rough start with jaundice, supplementing and pumping for 2 months, and then getting back to EBF. We really worked hard to get it going, but once it did, it was great! DS loved it in different ways at different times. It's so soothing and comforting. Special times were first thing in the morning while he was waking up, or after afternoon errands. As soon as we got home, DS would run to the sofa and urgently pat it before he could talk, "telling" me to come over to nurse. He would do the sleep-suck for an hour while I held him wrapped in a blanket watching foodnetwork on mute. Then, he'd wake up with the happiest, most content smilke on his face and we'd read some books together.

When he turned around 18 months, I started gradually cutting out feedings from 6 to eventually just morning, before and after nap, and bedtime. For a long time we did that, and then just morning and nap. It took awhile, too, for me to be able to hold DS in the cradle position that he likes without him getting upset and wanting to nurse. DS nursed all through my pregnancy eventhough I didn't have any milk for prob 1/2 of it. When DD came, he was happy to have the milk back, and we've just been nursing mornings to make it easier on me. Each of these steps, while they seem small, has been an adjustment and somewhat of a loss. Child-led weaning was not going to work with DS, but I really wanted to go slow so that he wouldn't feel rejected or pushed away.

Recently, I've found myself getting exhausted with DD's night wakings and felt like this was something I was ready to drop, and hoping DS would be ready too. We had a talk about it and he said he was ok with not nursing anymore. Of course, he was very upset the next morning when I reminded him, and I told him this would be the last time. The next morning he was upset again, but I talked to him and sat with him until he felt better. The following morning, he didn't even ask to nurse and we sat together and read and snuggled for an hour. I'm so proud of us! I am trying to remember to still give him that special time in the morning with me.

We may have weaned closer to 2yo were it not for our move and all the changes it brought. But, I think waiting until 3 was helpful for us b/c he was able to "understand" and accept it in a way that he was not able when he was 2.

Sorry this is so long, a lot of memories just came to me as I was typing!

[MamaKath]

Congrats and hugs!

[jgenie]

What a wonderful post! Congrats & . We've just embarked on the nursing past one journey - I hope it continues to be as great an experience for us as it was for you!!

[JTsMom]

Awww, congratulations Sally! That's a big milestone.

[DrSally]

Originally Posted by jgenie

What a wonderful post! Congrats & . We've embarked on the nursing past one train - I hope it continues to be as great an experience for us as it was for you!!

Thanks for reading it! FYI: Every child is different, but my LLL leader told me that 18 months-3 years is the hardest time to wean. At 18 months I was no where near ready, but I was like whaaat? 3 years. It really isn't that long once you're into it though!

[tylersmama]

You did awesome! DS weaned himself around 21 months, and it was so bittersweet. Way to go, mama!

[billysmommy]

Congrats!!! That's wonderful

DS2 weaned himself at ~2.5 years and it was very bittersweet. Keeping the morning snuggle time is so special

[wencit]

Congratulations! You did an absolutely wonderful thing for your DS.

[hellokitty]

Congrats! You should be proud of yourself for doing this for your son. My youngest weaned just shy of turning three. I too would never have imagined myself nursing a child for so long, it's kind of neat how motherhood can change your POV about things.

[MamaMolly]

Beautiful story, so inspirational!