DD1 was a real boobie addict and did not stop feeding when I fell pregnant. As my supply dropped due to pregnancy she just ramped up her feeding and I found I could no longer deal with it, so we had to wean (which was not easy). She was just over 2 when I conceived, not sure if that made a difference.
He was happily feeding away till I was about 4 months pregnant and initially I was happy about this. But then my breasts got very sensitive and it was as if an instinct took over...I just HAD to get him off the breast, I was starting to hate it - to the point where I was fantasising about FFing my next baby. So to prevent breastfeeding burnout on my part, I weaned DS. That was quite a battle...but I felt that he'd had a good go (20 months) and I was doing it for the next baby.
Then DD was born and DS was insanely jealous and was getting very rough with his little sister, trying to push her away when she was BFing. I was told to allow him to "have a turn" but he went back to having full breastfeeds after having nearly 5 months off the breast. He was taking the supply I had for DD (a big, hungry baby herself). So I tried making him wait till after she had her feed but he hung around the whole time, begging for his turn. So I tried tandem feeding and I simply couldn't stand the sensation. So then I tried "just a little turn" but he would cry and cry and get angry with his baby sister.
I was beside myself...I didn't feel this was good for DS or DD, I didn't have enough milk for the 2 of them, DS wasn't allowing me to feed DD properly. DH up until then had been happy to let me persevere but at this point couldn't stand seeing his wreck of a wife crying anymore and in the end we took the decision to FF DD and just stop all the breastfeeding. It broke my heart I couldn't BF DD for longer, but I could not deny that everyone was a lot happier. DD was more settled, DS was happy that he had his milk in a cup and his sister had hers in a bottle, I didn't have my boobs out every minute of the day.
DS is still quite attached to my breasts...he kisses them and cuddles them, and when he gets upset he puts his hand down my shirt as a kind of comfort. We've been preparing him that Number 3 will be BFd and he initially didn't like that idea but seemed okay with it when we told him he could have a try if he wanted. He's a little confused because he says "you don't have any milk anymore".
I have since been told his reaction to the new sibling breastfeeding is not a common one...
I think Barb posted once about the percentage of babies who feed through a pg. It was low, I think something like 30%, but then the 70% also includes the mums who choose to wean, so it doesn't really tell you much about how many want to keep feeding but don't.
My DS1 weaned at 4 1/2 months into my pg, so we made it to halfway. I do know of lots of people though who have fed all the way through and tandem fed so it certainly can work out.
My DD, who was 21 months at the time, kind of lost interest when I was about 7 weeks, and I then kind of encouraged the weaning, she didnt miss it all though, I think she may have asked for it about twice after our last feed, and even when we were feeding she'd often ask for cows milk over breast, so I think she was definitely ready
Hmm... so it seems like it's fairly common for them to wean
DD might not though. She is no where near ready, she is still having lots and lots of feeds both for hunger and comfort. ATM she is teething and BF must make her feel better, she's been asking for it every hr today and won't be distracted!! God knows what I'd do if she was weaned, teething would be miserable!!
I accidently fell pregnant with DS2, when my eldest son was 7 months old. It didn't effect me breastfeeding at all and he didn't change at all. He wasn't a comfort feeder so slowly weaned the feeds down as solids increased but he was still having a morning and night feed at 12 months.
He weaned himself at around 14 months, I think I was about 30 weeks pregnant at the time.
DS1 was 9 months when i conceived and he kept feeding around 17 months as milk droped right back but he would still have a few sucks a few times a day then crawl off, now that DS2 is here DS1 is feeding more and for longer as of course there is milk there now. Its hard getting him to wait till DS2 is on 2nd side or finished thought as at 18 months he doesnt understand wait or gentle!! or anything else that would help with a little baby also.
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