I think we need to wean but I am not ready.

[Gigi]

Nae,
19 minutes
19 hours
19 days
19 weeks
19 months
(of breastmilk)
it's all good hon.

i am assuming your goal, was to let your child self wean.

breastfeeding is dynamic, things change and goals change too.

i think it's more important that the weaning of your child, involves your family making that decision, not a medical person who is not in your family.

first, make sure you get good info.
doctors do not study bf-ing in med school, so i would seek out info from people who ARE educated about bf-ing e.g Barb Glare, who has already responded, and the ABA.

second, make your decision based on the info AND what suits your family

you're right, it's a big decision. and it's something to come to terms with, a big shift in your family dynamic.

it needs to feel right for you and your DD and your family. not something to be rushed/bullied into, due to uninformed people

and yes, 19 months is terrific - IMO, ANY bf-ing is terrific. I would tell you the same, if you had fed her for 19 hours. it's not a competition, there is no magic number, it's what happens for your family.

[NaeNae]

Thanks everyone so much,

Dh and I have had another discussion about this and we're going to take the weaning process slowly but we both feel because DD is not really "drinking" its more of a "comfort" thing that its time to start letting her learn there are plenty of other ways to comfort her.

We're focussing on the night feed first, which I am happy with because she no longer falls asleep at the breast and its almost become a ritual of boobie until mummy gets tired of having her nose picked, eyes poked, hair pulled, breasts squeezed. Then its sit up and play until forced to lay down.

Last night she had a couple of real sucks and I let her have some comfort sucks before offering her some water which she readily comes off for.

We'll keep doing the day feeds for now so then its not so "cold turkey for either of us, after all it is an adjustment for both DD and myself.

so slowly slowly. I think the night feed will probably be dropped by the end of the school holidays the ways its going anyway.

Thank you all so much for your words of advice x x x

Nae x