Breastfeeding, Bottle feeding, Weaning Support

Weaning after 17 months

My daughter is 17 months and I’m ready to wean her! My supply has gone down already & we are breastfeeding when she wakes up, goes down for bed & 2-3 times per day. It’s been really hard weaning her off so far - I’ve heard people transition with cows milk but she absolutely refuses it. Should I try formula to substitute or just wean her “cold turkey”? Also…my right boob seems permanently bigger than my left, anyone know if this will even when I’m no longer producing? 🤣

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I'm glad we're not alone. Following to get some advice. How is your lil girl with solids?

lately she’s been pickier and eating less but overall she’s a good eater!

Breastfeeding, especially breastfeeding beyond 1 year is about so much more than nutrition so substituting with cow's milk is unlikely to work. The best way I saw it described was that it's like someone wanting a hug and you offering them a sausage roll instead.
What's much more likely to work is finding other ways to connect with her.
This is a very good resource for weaning toddlers: https://www.emmapickettbreastfeedingsupport.com/blog/weaning-toddler-bob-and-pre-schooler-billie-how-do-you-stop-breastfeeding-an-older-child

Mine is 21 months and I’m still trying to figure this out! We did a partial wean around 14 months so now she only nurses when she wakes up and before bed. I stopped pumping and we gave her formula during the day for a bit but now she just has water and watered down juice with her solids. She also hates cow’s milk so we have to get her dairy in through cheese, yogurt and snuck into fruit smoothies at the rec of her doctor.

Some girlfriends of mine recommended putting bandaids over my nipples or rubbing aloe juice or gel on them since it’s a little bitter to help wean from nursing. I haven’t tried this yet but figured I’d share in case helpful!

thanks for sharing this page. It is so well written and seems so wise.

I would try reducing one feed at a time, normally the daytime ones are easiest and there are more distractions then work on sleep ones with alternative soothing... I've stopped for 3 months now and my right is still bigger (not as drastic but I notice it!)

I night weaned first and did go cold turkey for that she does have a dummy so she had that and LOTS of cuddles were offered. I then dropped to two feed a day one was at 5in the morning to get her back off then before bed. I am currently pregnant so the pain was causing aversions so I did then just stop the two together. I offered her cows milk (she had always refused previously) but I warmed it up and that seemed to work. I just made sure I had lots of undivided time and attention to give her and we didn’t really go anywhere. We’re now a month in and she still tries now and then if she’s tired or hungry (hard habit to break after 19 months 😂) she also touches my boobs as comfort which is the last step I’m currently trying to stop xx

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