Has anyone experienced an excess of tantrums when trying to wean your child off of something?
I am trying to wean my 17 mo daughter from breastfeeding during the day. She was nursing when she first woke up, nap time and when I pick her up from daycare. But I have taken away her morning and pick up nursings as they are less important that her nap time nursing.
But ever since I have started this (which was Friday 6/13) - her tantrums are constant. It is constant whining and crying and I cant leave her side, I cant even brush my own teeth or hair without a hysterical crying fit.
Is weaning really worth it? Am I doing the right thing? Or should I just give up and take the easy route - making it easy for me to get what I need to get done and keeping her happy? Or is that worse? I really feel lost with this issue.
Wow! Good for you for BF-g for so long! Try weaning her one feeding at a time. Start with the morning one, wait about 5 days, then the one after daycare, wait another 5 days, and keep at it that way. That should be much easier on the both of you! Hopefully that helps. Good luck to you!
Did she ever take a bottle or use a sippy cup? You might want to try using a sippy cup WITH her during meal times and see if that helps. I agree with the other post - and do mother-daughter things other the BF'g and see if that helps too.
I am also impressed you have done it for so long!
My LO is 7.5 months old and is BITING and I'm not sure I can keep it up much longer.
Lastly - google 'weaning from breastfeeding' and you'll get some other online suggestions.
Good luck!
It sounds like she is feeling insecure without the bonding time she gets while breastfeeding. It won't hurt her to nurse longer - the World Health Organization actually recommends at least two years. It sounds like your daughter really enjoys nursing, but if nursing has become a burden for you she will get over her weaning tantrums soon - just make sure to replace nursing time with other mother-daughter activities. Good luck, I'm very impressed you've breastfed her this long working full time!
I would definitely not wean her yet. It is NOT worth the trauma!
I think you should stick with what you are doing (weaning) but make it gradual. You don't want to give in and resent breastfeeding because it makes things easier. But there is nothing wrong with continuing either, just do it for the right reasons. If it isn't working for both you and your baby than you should probably wean. Nursing becomes a comfort thing like a special blankie or pacifier. I weaned at 10 and half months because I knew it was going to be difficult when he got older. I am impressed that you went this long working full time. I think she is being needy because she feels like something is missing. Are you doing anything to replace the nursing? Like extra cuddling, story book time, special bottle/sippy cup time, rocking her in a chair, holding her? Some of those things might help replace the nursing time. another thing to consider is that she may just be hungry, are you using enough formula or giving her whole milk to substitute these feedings? good luck!!
