Please don't judge.... just need some advice

[kimbo46]

My O is 18 months old and up until recently I loved our BF relationship. Loved the fact that it was something only I could give her, that it brought us so close, that it was convinient. I never had any problems, no sore nipples, no latch issues, no thrush or mastitis. But now...... I just dont want to anymore I'm 14 weeks pregnant, and I am soooo tired. My nipples feel like there are on fire every time she latches on, and they are so sore its unbelievable. Also, she has gone from feeding three of four times a day, to constantly being on the boob. Every time I pick her up, she pulls at my top and pinches me. Its got to the point where I try to avoid holding her because she just tries to pull my boobs out my top, wherever we are. She is waking up every hour during the night, and wont go back to sleep unless she has a nipple in her mouth, and I have just got to the point where I am thinking, its enough now. Its making me grumpy, my relationship with her is going to suffer and maybe I'm being a wimp, but it just bloody hurts to much!! I am just hoping that soon I will stop feeling so tired and the sensitivity in my nipples will go away, because it seems a shame to have come so far and give up now. Also, LO wont take milk from any other source and feeds to sleep, so its not really an option for me to stop. Anybody have any experience on how long I will be sore for? Or why she has suddenly decided to feed so much? She eats plenty during the day, so I don't think she is doing it because she is hungry.

 

[tikaani]

your little one is 18 months and although there is still goodness in your milk she doesnt actually need it being on solids. Its probably more you than her. If you stop no one will judge they are more likely to pat you on the back for going so far.
Being pregnant is going to be tiring enough.
You may have a grumpy LO for a few days but wont last long xx

 

[loopyluan]

Wow, you have done an amazing job! 18 months BUT now you need to look after yourself being pregnant. I agree, no one will judge at all, like I said 18 months is quite an achievement!

It may take a bit of transition and hard work to stop feeding LO but you need to do it now really... (if you really want to) your body needs your energy now!

Good luck xx

 

[patch2006uk]

your little one is 18 months and although there is still goodness in your milk she doesnt actually need it being on solids. Its probably more you than her. If you stop no one will judge they are more likely to pat you on the back for going so far.
Being pregnant is going to be tiring enough.
You may have a grumpy LO for a few days but wont last long xx

There are benefits to BFing for as long as you want to continue, and the WHO recommends BFing for the first 2 years at least. It's definitely not true that at 18 months it's more for the mother than the child

That being said, I think getting to 18 months and being 14 weeks pregnant, having sore nipples and a LO that feeds hourly at night is more than enough reason for the OP to wean and not feel guilty!

The main challenge is stopping LO nursing to sleep. You need to teach her how to drink from a cup, and then start a bedtime routine that includes a wind down, a cuddle and a drink from the cup. Breaking the suck/sleep association is the biggest challenge. I wish I could be more specific, but my LO nurses to sleep too.

I wish you a happy and healthy pregnancy, and I really wish you all the luck weaning your LO. She's been BFing for 18 months-that's amazing you should feel incredibly proud

Good luck

 

[KarenMc]

I nursed while pregnant. It can be painful at the beginning but it got better towards the end. I used to coubt down ten to one si didnt say no just limited time. At 18 mo my son started being able to ask fir boobe and started feeding like crazy because he wanted to ask so often. Insecurity about new baby may°c also b the reason for frequent feeds. It bis a good tool for the initial jealousy.

 

[Kota]

we have just in the last couple of weeks broken the suck to sleep routine... it wasn't easy, and involved a few rough nights of cuddling to sleep and offering water or rice milk in a sippy cup, but its worked, My boy has never, in 20months, self settled or fallen asleep without boob when he wakes, but now he falls asleep after milk, but no longer sucking, and no longer asks for it in the night. At 18months, your boy is definitely old enough to night wean, and at least that will give you a break over night.

we followed this loosely,

https://drjaygordon.com/attachment/sleeppattern.html

and some other info with links

https://www.kellymom.com/bf/weaning/weaning-night.html