Help... I have loved BF but....

[tippytoes]

Before my DS was born I was so so afraid that BFing wouldn't work - he was a pirahna from day 1 Fantastic. We have had a brilliant BF relationship. DS is now nearly 14 months and I have absolutely loved BFing up until yesterday LOL. I am finding he is really 'scrapping' my nipple with his teeth or something he isn't doing it on purpose but it is getting sore. He also does baby yoga whilst attached which can be annoying etc. I also plan to work full time next year so want to start weaning him now. Only problem is HE LOVES HIS BOOM BOOM - as he calls it. He just loves feeding and I love that he loves it too...but how can I encourage him to feed less. He eats really well and if I am not home he doesn't seem to miss it too much. He will take a bottle of cows milk no worries - but again when I am not there. I am afraid if I start the bottle then I just have to wean him off this aswell. Any thoughts/suggestions please?
My goal was always a year... also TBH some people around me are asking me when I will make him wean - a bit of pressure maybe? Not sure- I think I feel it is coming up to time aswell...
Rach

[Mum2Romone]

Go straight to a cup honey

My ds started on a cup at one year and now this week we have weaned I'm at 22 months , my original plan was one year too but I got a boobie boy like you lol

Recently I told him it was time to say goodbye and now he just drinks from a cup or less messy I have a collection of pop top juice bottles ready to go

Goodluck it's certainly a longer process than I thought but definitely don't bother with a bottle...

[onthefly]

Don't worry about bottles. Also don't try to replace every feed with milk - better to go for solids from this age if he eats well.
The gymnastics are annoying, also kinda cute sometimes. It can be a short-lived phase, so that might settle down in a bit anyway. As for teeth scraping, try and pay closer attention to good attachment (gymnastics allowing) - don't let him feed if it's hurting you. He's old enough to understand that.

Try not to worry about what others think - it's nothing to do with them anyway. If you're weaning, or even just cutting back, try to take it slow to make it easier on him and reduce the risk of blockages etc. You can also call the ABA for more specific advice. It's hard to know where to start when you're cutting back but you may find that it actually works out easier than yuo first expected. It's also possible that if you cut back a bit, you might feel happier about continuing on a bit longer. I guess just see how you go.

Good luck!

[tippytoes]

thank marcellus, yep he definately understands 'no, that hurts mummy' when doing the yoga - and yes secretly I think it is completely adorable the way he twists and turns - but still loving that boom boom LOL. I have to be completely honest here....I think there is a part of me wanting it to go on as long as he wants cause I am scared we won't have another succesful PG. I hope and pray we do and we'll give a red hot go, I guess it is just in teh back of my mind - if this is my only chance I don't want to rush it etc. I will take it slow I don't want him to stress too much adn BBs are still quite full really. Very tricky indeed.....

[onthefly]

Totally understand. That's why I didn't want to wean before going back to IVF.
Slow is good - easier on both of you and more room to change your mind if you want to

[Amaunet]

I'm in the same boat Tippytoes! My DS loves his booby too - he gets sooooo excited and I love it too, but he is starting to bite more - he thinks its funny and he doesn'y feed for long unless its the middle of the night I'm also pregnant and tired which probably isn't helping. My problem is he won't drink cows milk! He'll happily eat yoghurt, cheese, icecream...but spits the cows milk out We're going away for the weekend in two weeks for a wedding and leaving my DS with my mum (the first time we will ever be apart overnight) for two nights so I think maybe that will end it? I'll have to unearth my breastpump though to avoid engorgement.

While writing this I just realised I didn't BF him tonight! I thought the girls were feeling a bit fuller than usual!

[Catastrophic]

Go straight to a cup :-) That is what i did with my little one the same age :-) she's been weaned for a week, it was a bit of self weaning and gentle weaning... I just started to offer her the cup for the middle feeds, then got rid of the morning one and the night was last to go... She still graps at the boobs, but doesn't try to suck she just wants to make sure they are still there lol. I am lucky tho because there was no crying or screaming for it, if she really wanted it I gave it to her, by the end she just wasnt getting what she wanted out of them.

[tippytoes]

thanks so much girls.... I like the idea of going striaght to a cup - do you still warm the milk? And is just a regular sippy cup okay? DS uses one for water very happily.