How to stop breast at 15 month

[stefi]

Hello, I have cut down my feeds to one at bed time but I am keen now to stop that one too. Anyone here who has been in the same situation? C falls asleep on the breast, which is not great...I know but any advice from like minded mums? Thanks Steph

[CarolinaMao]

Get dp to do bedtimes for a couple of days, with lots of cuddles.

I did this when ds was the same age and after two days he'd pretty much forgotten all about bfing, and replaced it with nipple-twiddling (ouch).

[chocolateshoes]

I'm in a similar situation & could do with some tips.

DS is 14mths & still has b/f after breakfast & before bed. I want to cut these both out. I think its probably best to stop the morning one first. This morning I just offered 1 side rather than both, but maybe I should just stop altogether?

Like you Steph I think the bedtime one will be alot harder & I'm not really looking forward to it! He doesn't fall asleep on the breast but it settles him so he's ready for bed.

Any advice for us please? Sorry Steph to hijack your thread - hopefully someone out there will help!

[KeepingQuiet]

I have just stopped feeding a couple of weeks ago
Instead of the breast I offered a bottle
Didn't have any problems or protests from my 18 mth old

[chocolateshoes]

Thanks KQ. Don't really want to introduce a bottle at this stage so will try with a beaker. Didn't offer b/f at breakfast for the last 2 days & left the room so DP could finish breakfast with DS & touch wood that seems to have worked well. Its the bedtime feed I'm more worried about, but maybe it'll be much easier than I'm thinking...

[hoxtonchick]

i think i might need to do this too. dd is almost 14 months. we co-sleep, & she helps herself during the night. god knows how i'm going to deal with that....

[chocolateshoes]

Now that does sound scary Hoxton & I'm sorry but I have no advice whatsoever!!!

I thought there were loads of b/f experts here on Mumsnet - where are you all!!!!!!!

[FrannyandZooey]

Sorry, I can't help as have not weaned ds, but I have heard this book recommended, although I believe it mostly follows the philosophy of child-led weaning.

I would think Daddy doing the bedtime routine would be the best way to go - maybe introduce a bit more Daddy time each night rather than go for the full change straight away, as it might be a bit of a shock to her otherwise. The No Cry Sleep Solution could help with the falling asleep thing - it gradually introduces other methods for the child to fall asleep by themselves and is very gentle and child-centred.

[chocolateshoes]

Thanks F&Z - I'll see if I can find any of the book on the Internet. I do find it odd that there's so little advice & information.

[hoxtonchick]

glad to make you feel better chocolateshoes . actually, i'm not too stressed, i think i'll probably carry on for a while. and actually, she doesn't actually feed to sleep, tends to roll over & settle herself.

[mears]

When I stopped breastfeed at night I didn't replace it with anything. I don't think it is actually necessary to have a drink before bedtime TBH. Mine had their meal at teatime with a drink, bath then bed.

[Cratchit]

Just to say another still feeding their 14 month old here too and desperately trying to find a way to stop. If I'm honest I've been putting it off for months because I'm frightened of the crying when I withdraw the boobie at bedtime. He still falls asleep like it and I've tried everything including the No Cry sleep solution. I'd just like to add my vote to the lack of information about stopping breastfeed. I understand it's because getting people to do it in the first place is a big and important battle in itself but I've looked this issue up in so many breastfeeding books its not true and it's barely mentioned. Three just isn't any support for stopping at all. Sometimes when I've asked quesitons on Mumsnet about bottles or reducing feeds, I've been given huge amounts of hassle too. Very frustrating, but thrilled to see others here and the support that's emerging.

[chocolateshoes]

I feel so much better knowing I'm not the only one here! Thanks!

That's the worry for me Crachit - DS is a brilliant sleeper goes off perfectly. He takes the bmilk he wants, then grins at me & I put him to bed & he's away til the next morning. I really don't want to lose that.

[chocolateshoes]

Crachit - have you tried stopping at bedtime then? What happened?

[Cratchit]

Chocolate shoes, I've tried introducing a bottle, a sippy cup (which he prefers in the day, never really took to bottles) I've even tried a dummy, which I admit I'd been quite anti until now)I've tried various things along these lines on and off over the last six months or so. No Cry is about pulling them off the boobie earlier and earlier and giving them other things to associate with sleeping. Suspect I haven't been as thorough and consistent as I need to with any of them. The only thing I know is that I want to avoid controled crying if at all possible. I haven't tried Dh doing any of it at all... feeling useles now I've written it all down...

[chocolateshoes]

Oh no Crachit - don't feel useless - you're doing your best. You've tried all sorts and you read up on the subject too. Have you looked on any other websites? I must admit I thought Mnet would come up with the answers but....

[Cratchit]

That's the thing I think with MNet. The culture here isn't about giving up it's about starting and keeping going. Have been amazed at reponse to questions over the months about bottles and things. Very aggressive sometimes too. Maybe you're right and it's the wrong place to ask. Think I should probably re-read the No cry as she has a section saying I've got zillions of kids and it does work, despite different personalities and situations and things. So maybe I need tyo really go at it properly this time. Bit of bank holiday reading maybe! Have you tried things, any suggestions? Or are we destined for bitty at bedtime for ever?!

[Cratchit]

Maybe we should repeat your query in the breastfeeding section and brave the gunfire but hope for some advice?!

[chocolateshoes]

Good idea Crachit.

No I haven't tried giving up at bedtime yet. I stopped the feed after breahfast 3 days ago & that's gone fine - much better than I expected. But the thing is its easy to dustract him after breakfast with a game or something. Not so easy at bedtime. Would like to think I oculd still give him a bedtime cuddle but am worried he'll expect milk. Grrrrrrr.....

[Cratchit]

Ditto. Daytime is ok, can get him to snooze in the buggy and the car for naps and in the mornings he's getting used to cows milk and distractions. Last thing and during the night though, he wake sup once and I bring hi into bed he snacks and then I sneak him back once asleep. It's also feeling strong enough and not so sleep deprived that you'e ready to brave the hell, when's that then? When I tried in teh evning recently with bottle, sippy cut and dummy he just lay on my lap shakin ghis head saying "no,no,no no" Oh god ...

[theoldlady]

My DD is 13 months and I am in exactly the same position- have managed to get it down to 1 feed before bed time and she doesnt fall asleep on it but totally loves it and I am scared of deeply upsetting her. But I have had enough of being tied to being around at 6.30pm and after this long feel I have done my bit! She wont take milk from anything except my breast and it is a total nightmare. Dont want to risk self-weaning as i reckon it can only get harder to stop if she doesnt stop on her own....I reckon the idea of getting DH to do bedtime for a few nights is the way forward. (Hope he will agree to this!)