Nursing. How old is too old? Best ways to wean.?

Question

My little boy is 20 months and I have now nursed longer than I planned too. I would do it cold turkey, but its the only way I know to get him to fall asleep and he only nurses at night. Problem is, is he doesn't like the binky or bottle. I've become my babys wooby/ security almost. Should I allow him to wean himself, or how do I start to wean? I heard putting plain cinnomon powder on the nipples will make him less intrested cause of the taste. Any other suggestions?

Answer 1

No. It is not too long. Hi. I just started weaning my 20 month old yesterday (or should I say I did it cold turkey) I feel your pain. I am so emotionally attached, so it is just as hard on me. I nursed my son for 2 years, and now I feel it is time for my daughter to stop. She was still nursing in the middle of the night and using it to go to sleep. I also want to get pregnant again, and I need medicine to do that. I don't want to take medicine while nursing. Neither of my kids would take pacifiers or bottles. I was it. Congratulations on such a long run with nursing. I told her it was broken, and she said "all gone." It was actually kind of nice because we spent a lot of time cuddling. I can see us starting a new routine now. She likes it when I tickle her face. She fell asleep in my lap while I was stroking her hair. I did still let her cuddle next to my "ninny" because I didn't want to take away all of the comfort. I don't know if this is the right way or not, but it is working so far. She got up last night crying, and I had to walk her around for a little bit. I ended up giving her a sippy cup of milk, and that calmed her down. I also weaned my son cold turkey. It seems like the only way that works for us. I really don't think there is any easy answer. Nursing is such a special time between you and your baby. It is going to be difficult for both of you. You might want to get a really special new cup for him. You can be creative. When I weaned my son, I told my son that Santa Claus was taking all of the ninny to the new babies and that he was a big boy now. He was actually o.k. with that. I lucked out.

Answer 2

Well, my kids love cinnamon so you may be surprised!

This isn't a breastfeeding problem. I think that nursing until 20 months is fantastic. BUT your problem is that you have not taught him to fall asleep on his own. You are right, it would be cruel to go cold turkey because he has no way of falling asleep except at the breast. You need to teach him THAT first.

I would recommend nursing first, not in the bedroom, and NOT until he is asleep. Then proceed with a bedtime routine -- such as bath, brushing teeth, PJs, story, and song. Then put your son down and say, "It's time for sleep now. Lay down and have sweet dreams." Then leave the room. If he cries, return in 5 minutes and comfort him without getting him up from bed. Stay for just a few minutes and then leave. If he keeps crying, return in 10 minutes, comfort him, and leave. Then wait 15 minutes for the rest of the night.

The next night, do the same thing, except wait 10 minutes, 15 minutes, and 20 minutes. Etc, etc.

This will not be easy but you will probably be surprised at how quickly he adapts. I think it's important to keep at least that one nursing until he is adapted in his new routine, then you can work on weaning that if you want. I do think that nursing is the best thing in the world, but if your child can't fall asleep on his own, that's a different problem.

Answer 3

Don't let people tell you you've nursed too long. You did what was right for you. Now that you'd like to stop, then go ahead and do it. Your best bet at this age, is cold turkey. Your son understands what you say to him now. I told my 15 month old when I weaned him, that my milk was all gone. He tried one time after that, and he got upset. And I told him I'd cuddle and hold him if he wanted, and he wiggled away, upset and crying. And then never asked for it again.

I tried putting things on my breast, like lemon juice, because I heard that worked. All my son did was squish up his face, and then go in for the milk. So really, just tell him the milk is gone. You wish you had some to give him. And that you love him, but there isn't any more. Good luck.

Answer 4

If you're really getting sick of it and since you're asking the question, it's probably time. The cinnamon won't work, he doesn't care what they taste like, he just wants to be as close to you as he can. My girl is very clingy too. She's 3 and still tries to grab them when she falls asleep on my lap.

I had to stop nursing at about 11 months cause, well, nothing was coming out anymore. BUT, I used to pump for her for daycare, so she was used to the bottle at least when I wasn't around.

I don't want to say to FORCE him to take the bottle, but you kinda have to nurse him first thing in the morning and then at nap time and bedtime. Morning and night are important, he wants to be with you right away when he wakes up and also needs to know you're not going anywhere at night when he feels like he's gonna be all alone. In between, when he's up and around use the bottle. If he's hungry, he'll eat. it's gonna really suck for a few days. After he gets used to it, you can cut down to just AM and night, then just night, then you're all done.

Potty training is worse. I hope you have a steam cleaner for your carpets :)

Answer 5

20 months is NOT too long. In Canada, the pediatric society recommends breastfeeding until 2 years of age.. whenever he is ready, your son may wean himself off on his own. Cold turkey can work.. If you slowly reduce the frequency at which you breastfeed, then you will less likely to run into engorgement problems.. if you do, then pump a little bit to reduce the pain. good job with the breastfeeding though!

Answer 6

Don't stress about weaning. He may wean himself or you may encourage it.
My daughter was weaned before her last birthday, by my choice. She just turned three.
You can breastfeed as long as you are comfortable with it.
He is still getting the two most important things that he needs right now from you, Love (shown in the intimacy of breastfeeding) and Immunities. There is nothing wrong with letting him still nurse to sleep. I know how hard that one is to wean them from...Believe me!
Breastfeeding is natural. And breastfeeding has benefits as long as you want to do it. In some African countries moms will breastfeed up to five years. Not that i could or would do that, but it's ok.

You're doing a good job!

Answer 7

Okay I don't want to sound rude at all. I think that 20 months is a little long but it is a lot better than those moms who let their child nurse when they are in kindergarden. I am not sure how to wean him but your cinnamon powder thing would work great. Good luck and it is nice tha there are other moms out there that are commited to there children still. My daughter didn't like to breast feed, she never got enough. I did it for 2 1/2 weeks and wish I could have done it for atleast 1 year.

Answer 8

My daughter is 12 months and 1 week =) We just stopped nursing about 3 weeks ago... she kinda made the decision herself. Personally I wouldnt go past the 1yr mark on a regular basis... but that's just me. Yaye for you nursing to begin with!!

Answer 9

I wish I can help. Mine weaned easily with the bottle.

Answer 10

I think 20 months isn't too old. I'm nursing my 8 month old and she has never been sick.