How to stop breastfeeding a 1 year old?

[bagaboo]

Hi, i am currently a SAHM and don't have any plans to return to work straight away so no big deadline really, but i just feel that i've had enough of breastfeeding now! DS is 14months and a bit less careful with his teeth than he was!I have been Bf on demand, and although the number of feeds has dropped, it's still at least 5 a day, often more like 6 or 7, plus sometimes at night. He doesn't usually feed for long and i know it's more for comfort or to help him sleep because he drinks a lot of water from a beaker and he has 3 meals plus endless snacks a day! The trouble is that if i offer him a beaker or a cuddle or dance to music with him when he wants feeding he just moans, which turns to screaming which i can only ignore for so long! As it's me at home with him i just crack after a while cos i can feel myself start to get angry, so i end up feeding him to calm him and me down. He's a very determined little boy and because of his age knows whee the boobs are kept! Has anyone been through a similar thing, any advice, and will persisting with the distraction techniques eventually pay off? Sorry for the mammoth post, hope it makes sense! Thanks,

[maisym]

I had to stop bf on demand suddenly because of medication. Was hard for ds (19 months) - he asked to bf & I said it wasn't possible. He had such a sad face & I felt really bad. I gave him some chocolate milk & this was ok. Also whilst I was on bed rest my dh was looking after him & this distracted him from being able to bf. It's been narly a week & so far ds wanted to bf although I think if offered he would be happy.

hopethings work out for you xxx

[maisym]

meant - it's been nearly a week & ds hasn't wanted to bf..... sorry for the typing!

[Astrophe]

Do you have a DH/P? If so, you need to wean when he has a week off and can do the cuddling and distracting so that you are not there 'tempting' DS!

In the lead up to this, give him a beaker of milk before you bf him - don't push it, just see if he will take a little from the beaker first, then bf him. hopefully he will gradually drink more from the beaker.

HTH

[hermykne]

can someone mind him for you, for a few hours preferably when he'll be thirsty
wear a swimsuit ! ridiculous idea but i saw it on tv.
lots of beakers with water in them placed everywehre for him to drink from.

[sputnik]

Perhaps you could try to target one feed at a time? Go all out on the distracion techniques for that one feed, maybe take him outside or something, try not to give in (difficult I know!). Once he has "got" the idea that he can no longer feed on demand it should get easier to reduce the number of feeds one at a time.

[bagaboo]

Thank that's all really helpful! Feeling slightly selfish that want to stop but after a year i suppose it's ok! Will try all these and see how we go. Why wear a swimsuit? is it so you can't access the boobs? Cos i reckon DS would still find a way!

[MissGolightly]

I cut down my DS's feed because I was going back to work and thought he should get used to only being fed at intervals iyswim.

I decided he would get fed in the morning in my bed, and at lunch and in the evening in his bedroom. I think it helps as he now knows that the living room/outside/bus etc is not for feeding.

As for cutting down, I did it by distraction, if he was getting antsy for a feed I would give him a beaker and then we'd go out for a walk or a drive or go into the garden. It worked for me, but as I say he's still being fed 3 times a day. My friend weaned completely when her little boy was 18 months. SHe just sat him down and explained to him that they were stopping breastfeeding and he now had to drink from a cup. He complained for a day or two and then accepted it.

[isaidno]

don't feel selfish bagaboo!
You've done a fantastic job for 14 mths, and should feel proud

It's ok to want to stop, you have needs too!