[Cranky Kitten]

So DS was having 4-5 feeds a day, usually 3-4 during the day and one overnight up until recently. I'm now almost 6 weeks pregnant and my supply is dropping rapidly. Add to that quite sensitive nipples and achey boobs that are making bfing rather uncomfortable and I'm feeling as if it might be better to wean entirely. DS won't take milk from a sippy cup and I'd rather not introduce a bottle at all, but he will steal some if I'm drinking it from an open cup. He does eat yoghurt and cheese quite happily and has milk on his cereal.

Any tips on how to reduce his feeds gently? He's down to 2-3 feeds a day and they're getting shorter each time, but he's not particularly happy about it Should I just go with his lead as much as possible or try to distract him and cut back a day time feed? I think his bedtime one will be the last to go, the overnight one has gone already and he's still having one first thing in the morning and before his day time sleep.

[Sunnycat]

I can't help as DS is still feeding ten trillion times a day. I am trying to reduce his feeds to specifically nap times, the last couple of days I've succeeded by lots of distraction and offering other food instead.

If it helps my boobs were agony until about 12 weeks now it's not nearly as painful. I have a feeling I'm going to end up tandem feeding which wasn't my plan.

Good luck.

This post has been edited by Sunnycat: 11/01/2013, 08:28 PM

[Eternally]

Sorry, no advice.
The only way I could wean my 16 month old (to TTC via IVF again) was to substitute a bottle before breastfeed to sleep, then she went onto just a bottle before bed.
I know it is not recommended for dental reasons though, and we are progressively watering it down.
(no nutrition issues, she is off the charts for height and weight).

[MakeLoveNotBacon]

Have you looked at the tips on KellyMom?

Weaning

ds was older, but I found distraction and putting him off for a short period worked best. So if he asked, I'd go "ok, let's just do XYZ first" and that usually put him off for an hour or so.

Good luck, and congratulations!

[BeYOUtiful]

My son was older too, 27mths.
I started with the feed before his day nap. I laid with him and let him know we don't have booby in the day anymore. It wasn't too bad, probably helped by the fact I wore him out that day outside so tired.

I did that for a week. He ended up saying no booby in day

Next I tackled the morning feed and there were tears. I sat with him cuddled him until he calmed down and offered him cows milk and a special breakfast.

I put off the night feed until a month later. It would be my last BF and was hard to let go. There were tears for about 5-10mins then he fell asleep. That was 18 Dec and to my amazement he has taken it really well. A couple of times he has tried to sneak a feed but then laughs his head off lol. He has also started to eat so much more, prior it was a struggle to get him to eat enough. He drinks a fair bit of cows milk too and has upped the water some days.

Good luck

This post has been edited by ~Jane05~: 11/01/2013, 09:01 PM

[lucky 2]

Hi there, I thought I'd add this link as it addresses the issues of bfing aversion during the first trimester, soreness, agitation and weaning related information. It might be a good read for you.
All the best.
http://kellymom.com/category/pregnancy/bf-preg/

[Cranky Kitten]

Thanks for the responses - I've had a look at the articles previously on Kellymom and the ABA website but I guess I was after more personal experience/info. Last night was kind of rough as whilst he did have a decent feed before bed, I had to clench my teeth and breathe to get through it without wanting to scream/tear him off and run. I don't think I want to continue like that, I don't want dread feeding him each time he asks.

But at the same time, he doesn't understand why I don't want to give him what he wants. He asks and I try to distract him, sometimes he's easy to distract, sometimes he's not. He'll keep asking, but also starts whinging and pulling at my clothes.

I guess we'll just play it by ear and keep reducing the duration for now, and skipping feeds where we can.

[lucky 2]

It's a tough age to make changes, what you plan to do is limited by his capacity to agree to the changes because he "doesn't understand". Distraction and re-directing attention is probably going to be the most helpful strategy and as you say it is hit and miss.
I hope the aversion feeling passes soon and you make some progress towards your goal.
All the best CK.