[Neko NoNo]

DS is nearly 15 months and bf on demand. He feeds over 10 times a day, of course most of those are just snacks, and I'm getting a little tired of it. If I'm not around, he is fine without it, but straight back on the moment I'm in reach. So, if your toddler was like this, how did it end? When did feeding slow down and at what age did she/he wean? I'm going back to work in a few months and want some idea of what might lay ahead.
Tia.

[Dinosaurus]

Teds is only slightly older than yours but the same. I got his Nanny in 3 days in a row from 8am - 5pm (dinner time) and left the house. On the 4th day I didn't offer and he was OK until about 4pm - I gave him an early dinner and went from there.

He actually cottoned on to the no day feeds easily. The nights...not so much

All the best

[Castrophic]

DD is almost 2 now but has always been a big feeder.She's weened herself a bit but getting older and more active (I think about 18 months onwards?) and by myself being firm and setting to rough times. I still demand feed if she's hurt herself or is sick but I found that she was using me like a snack machine! I had to return to work so that set some boundaries too. I think if they don't change then you may have to be firm and consistent about when is more suitable.
Night weaning didn't happen until about 20 months and it's still hit and miss.
Good luck!

[Tesseract]

If he's fine without out then don't worry about going back to work, he will be fine then too. I went back full time when DD was 11 months (and a Bobbie monster) and she was just fine.

In regards to the snacking all day, it does slow down on it's own eventually when they get too busy. I have found a few things to help though:

-Keep on top of his hunger, so offer lots of snacks.
-Ditto worth thirst, have water available always.
-Make sure he's not cold I often find DD wants to feed when she's not wearing enough.
-Lots of cuddles.
-Keep busy, get out of the house.

At nearly 2 DD Wil feed 3-4 times a day while we're together, and twice on work days.

[redkris]

I think if they don't change then you may have to be firm and consistent about when is more suitable.

Yep. I also agree with the PP who mentioned going out and leaving your LO with someone else....probably less difficult than physically stopping a toddler from grabbing your breast. They don't NEED that many feeds any more and there's nothing wrong with saying no to them and giving a cuddle instead

[RachealJane]

My DD didnt really start solids properly til 13 months so there was no way i could have weaned her at 15 months.

She breastfed at around 10 feeds a day (plus more over night) til 2.5 years then i was pregnant again and my supply disappeared despite feeding so much and she just gave it up slowly over a month of transition.

[melajoe]

DD2 is 2.5 years and would still drink Mummy's milk all day if I let her. We are down to one feed, just before bed, and most nights if she is tired enough she will only have the one side (although she tells me that I still have "big milk" which is her way of saying lots of milk). Also, she doesn't nap during the day any more, but if she is just having one of those horrid days and I can tell she needs a nap (as much for my sake as hers!) then I will lie down with her and give her a quick feed to put her to sleep as it's the only way. But this is not very often any more. Up to about 6 months ago she was still having 3-4 feeds a day, including throughout the night (it was the only way she would go back to sleep) but we did away with the morning feed first, and then finally in the last couple of months she has started sleeping through the night most nights.

There will still be the odd morning where she wakes and asks for milk and I have to say no, but I distract her with water or some "milk in a cup." I just can't seem to talk her out of the bedtime feed yet.

Last year I went interstate for 4 days and I was hoping that would be the turning point (she was still feeding through the night at this stage). She was happy to drink water and milk in a cup while I was away, but as soon as I was back, it was boob time. I was hoping she would forget but she didn't.

I was seriously talking about weaning her at 10 months old when she went through a difficult biting stage, but she had other ideas, obviously. If she doesn't stop on her own accord by 3, I'm going to have to just say no.

I have been back at work since she was about 16 months, and it certainly didn't slow her down any. If anything, she wanted more milk when I was around to make up for being away from her during the day.

DD1 I fed until about 20 months, and we weaned over the space of about a month, just cutting out a feed here and there, until I stopped offering and she stopped asking. It was a gentle process and I guess we just both decided we were ready at the same time, which is what I've been hoping for with DD2 but it just hasn't worked out that way.

I don't hate feeding her, she is still my baby, but I just feel like I'm done. I have pretty much been pregnant or breastfeeding for coming up to 6 years now so some personal space would be nice, lol.

This post has been edited by melajoe: 24/01/2013, 07:48 AM

[lucky 2]

I read something a while back that children are more likely to stop bfing on their own accord at age 3-4 yrs, something to do with their development. I cant find where I read that but I do remember it was a reputable source.
All the best.

[Purelle]

My two and a half year old was weaned 12 months ago because we decided to TLC. I'm eight weeks preg and all of a sudden he is trying to get to me again. I think he must be able to smell it lol. Ahhh the joys