In all the literature out about breastfeeding, it is really difficult to find good information on weaning. And the majority of what is out there is geared towards folks trying to wean when their babies are way young and milk dependent. I’m a little burned on trying to find good information for Moms like me, who have breastfed for two years (as recommended) and are facing weaning.
That said, I think that Will may be weaned. He’s been naturally nursing less over the past few months. When we were in Mobile for the two month Katrina aftermath, my parents started putting him to bed and he lost interest in night-nursing (he’d be so tired and full after dinner he’d fall asleep as we were putting on his PJs.) During this time, he stopped asking for daytime nursing and only nursed in the mornings during our cuddle time. Then in the last month or so, Will started skipping days. When he did nurse, he only nursed for a very short time (less than a minute) and was more interested in playing than nursing. Now it has been at least 5-6 days since he last nursed and he doesn’t show any interest in nursing again. Does that mean he’s done? Is he weaned?
If he’s done, that is fine. He seems ready, he eats great, and it didn’t involve any tears on either of our parts. (I was worried he would be difficult to wean.) But I want to know what is going on with my body. I read that I could make milk for months afterward, which I thought was interesting. Particularly being pregnant, that made sense to me. I have had some soreness on one breast, but nothing terrible. I wonder if that will continue? I don’t feel the need to express at all, I don’t feel “full,” but I’m not sure how I should be feeling. It’s all a very new thing and it’s not like there are other Moms to ask. (No one breastfeeds here… Louisiana actually has the lowest breastfeeding rates in the country, according to a speaker during our “breastfeeding week” at the School of Public Health last fall.) Anyone have any experience or information about this one?
Deb | 16-Nov-05 at 1:58 pm | Permalink
Holly,
I think that things was just perfectly with you and Will. If there were no tears, and if you both are happy, I can’t think of anything better.
When I got Noah to quit breastfeeding at 2 1/2 it was not in the least bit physically uncomfortable for me. He was not very happy, though. We talked about it a lot, and after a week or so, it was all over.
Jacob was another story. He spontaneously quit nursing when he was about 18 months old. I offered for him to breastfeed, but he declined. I was sad and sore. However, both the sadness and soreness passed in just a day or so. I read, and believe it to be true, that although it can be uncomfortable to not express the milk, it is better for your body to reabsorb it. Every time you express milk, you stimulate more production. If you leave it be, you will reabsorb it rather quicklly, and then in just a few days, you won’t make any more – at least not until next time! Give you body a rest on the milk front. You’ve got enough to do now.
Holly | 16-Nov-05 at 7:02 pm | Permalink
I’m still surprised that he sort of phased out so easily. I am starting to think that this soreness may be more related to the pregnancy than to Will. It is both exciting and kind of scary that we are launching into a new phase.