Well it has been quite a while since my last post. I have been thinking about milk mamas and have had numerous ideas for posts in the past month, but with a kitchen reno in the works and taxes due in almost one month (I am the bookkeeper and just had a baby=waaay behind!), I've been a little pre occupied!
However occupied, I am in need of some milk mama support...
With our next two teeth just arriving, I've found myself nursing a lot the past week! While glued to the rocker or lying awake at night, I've been some what fantasizing about weaning Teddy from night-time nursing. I definitely couldn't start something like while two teeth were coming-but now they are here and I'm envisioning a full night of sleep again!
Before I begin this attempt, I'd love to hear from mamas who have successfully or unsuccessfully weaned. Although it was my plan to allow teddy to decided when he would stop nursing-we are approaching 1 year and I would love some uninterrupted sleep!!! We are weaning from the meds he is on in about 3 weeks and I'd love to start attempting to rock and comfort back to sleep other ways besides nursing at night shortly after that and before Teddy turns 1 year in 6 weeks. ADVICE NEEDED!!! Send it to me!! even if you think I shouldn't wean Teddy, I'd love to consider all input before deciding to step in and wean myself....
It's going to be HARD to actively wean Teddy while he is teething. Not saying that you "shouldn't" do it - I totally understand the need for some sleep! But in my experience, personal and professional, you really shouldn't start active weaning in a period of emotional or physical stress for mom OR baby. I think you should stick with your plan to allow Teddy to self-wean. I know that right now it seems like the more stressful, less sleep option, but in the long run, it will be a whole lot LESS stressful than trying to actively wean while he is teething (and the teething can last for a while!).
ReplyDeleteYou know I'm here if you have questions or need support. I want to reiterate that I don't think you're wrong to want to wean - I just know that weaning at this point is probably not a good idea. It'll cause a lot of stress on top of the stress of teething, whereas if you can stick with it (maybe let him stay in your bed a bit and side lying nurse while you sleep?) then the transition in and out of teething will be smoother, and you won't have to worry about changing the way that you put him to bed.
Here if you need me!
Thanks so much for the advice! You are totally right! I also heard a story of a baby just starting to sleep through the night at 15 months so I have hope that it will happen on it's own and I'm going to wait it out.
ReplyDeleteThe one year mark just scares me! I feel like there is a lot of advice given about breaking habits at a year-if you want to look at night waking as a bad habit... For us, there are far more instances where it is not simply out of habit, but for true comfort (like teething) and I want to be there for Teddy. So it looks like AP wins again:)
Great advice!!!