How do I get him to stop?

Question

My two year old son still breast feeds and I can't seem to get him to stop. It's not like he does it like when he was younger, it;s mostly when he wants to go to sleep. How do I get him to stop completely or will he stop on his own?

Answer 1

Try holdnig him while he goes to sleep and keep your shirt on. Or do it tough love style and tell him no and make him whine himself to sleep.

Answer 2

I think it is fantastic that you were able to breastfeed your son so long. This is your son's comfort zone. It has become habit that he nurse at night. Just give him milk in his sippy cup and hold him tight for comfort before bedtime. He will not like it to begin with but, if you stay firm he will realize this is the way it will be. Tell him he is a Big Boy now. No need to explain too much, he is still so young he doesn't understand or care for your reasons. He just knows what he wants and what he has always had to make him feel safe, secure and loved.

I am sure this will be as hard for you as it is for him. Although you want to stop I am sure it was a comfort zone for you, too. You have created a strength and security bond between you and your son that is unrivaled by any other. This is something you can do for your son that no one else can do. You probably are able to unwind and enjoy the sheer love and joy of your little one during this time. Aah, a mother's love! So you will both go through withdrawal.

But, it is OK you will both get through this one and when he is a teenager you will wish your problems were this simple!

Answer 3

He might stop on his own....he might not. No one is going to be able to tell you that for sure because your son is an individual.

When I weened my son, I cut down the time on each breast every other night till it was down to 3 minutes per breast. I kept him there for 4-5 nights and put a bottle in his mouth (or a sippy cup) immediately after he came off the breast. After those 5 nights, I just held him in the rocking chair (as I did while breast feeding) but went right to the cup. He complained for the first 3-4 nights, then he was over it and I had my chest back !

Answer 4

I have a 20 month old who does the same thing... I have been waiting for him to stop on his own but, at this point, I see myself nursing a 5 year old. So, I am stopping him. Every time we feed, I make it shorter. Sometimes he cries, but eventually he gets over it. And now he is able to get to sleep at night without the breast in his mouth. Slow process, but I really think that some kids will nurse forever.

Answer 5

I also did extended breastfeeding. None of my (three) kids ever wanted to stop and it was the same pattern you are describing.
It isn't easy to stop it but, it is simple. I think stopping all nursing besides the night time bedtime one is the first step, so if he is still taking naps no more nursing to sleep at naptime. Once he is convinced and stops trying to nurse during the day you take away the night time session. It is the hardest and if you give in even once it is like starting all over again. I wouldn't even try until you are sure that it is what you want to do.

Answer 6

If you have a significant other, have him put the child to sleep. You need to just cut him off cold turkey. It will take a couple of days to adjust for him, but he can do it. Just make sure the child is getting enough liquid durning the day with his sippy cup. Have some Tylenol ready for yourslef and good Luck. Be Pateint!

Answer 7

Congratulations on breastfeeding for the full two years!
Try telling him that every night he goes to bed without BF he will get a sticker, and when he gets x number of stickers you will take him to the store for a prize!
Don't forget to comfort him at night in other ways. Maybe a glass of milk and a story before bed?
Good luck

Answer 8

He should be drinking whole milk(homogenized) now. You should have introduced this at around nine months.
I know breast milk is the best, but I think at a certain age it should stop, it's not necessary. At two your son should be getting everything he needs from the foods he's eating and from milk and juices.
Sounds to me like he's using you as a pacifier. Just something comforting to suck on til he goes to sleep. I know you probably wouldn't want to introduce this now at this age, but try a regular pacifier. The gerber Nuk pacifier is designed to feel like a real nipple in his mouth. This isn't a hard thing to get rid of, but it's worth it if he's off your tit.
Good luck..just try telling him no, he's a big boy and should have his milk in a cup or sippy cup. Maybe have his father drink milk near bedtime with him, establish a 'big boy' routine.
Not really sure what to tell you, but good luck with this.

Answer 9

Lots of good answers, but I see one major flaw with some of the suggestions: You can't give you child homogenized milk before bed. You'll rot their teeth out.

Try warm yerba buena tea with honey. Honey contains anti-microbials, helping prevent cavities. And the yerba buena will sooth the tummy and mind.

Answer 10

Maybe if you eliminate one feeding at a time, (nap) first and bedtime last you can wean him. This is what I did with my son and it was the hardest two weeks but we survived and all happy now.... my experience is if you let him he will continue it's what is comforting to him, kinda like sucking his thumb until you break it it will continue

Answer 11

try to begin a new night time routine. like reading stories, or singing songs. im sure you may already do that though, considering he is two.

do NOT let him go to bed with a bottle of milk, however. the sugars in the milk will lead to tooth decay.

speak with a local LLLI rep. they are very knowledgeable when it comes to situations like this.

good luck.