hit me with your best tips to reduce feeding for 20mth old

[aimz78]

Hi,
My DD is 20 months old and we are breastfeeding. I have just found out I am in early stages of pregnancy . This is fantastic news but I am feeling so tired and my breasts are quite sore. I am struggling to find the energy to distract etc to reduce feeds and she ends up crying and getting cranky and at the moment I am giving in. I want to try and cut her down to morning and night (and possibly nap time) at least, with the possibility of full weaning (not sure about tandem feeding) but I want to do it gently. Any strategies or experiences would be much appreciated.
Thanks

[onthefly]

With DS I just refused. He asked and asked. And yes, he cried and got upset, but it seemed the only way to actually cut back. BUT that acute phase, when they're really upset, really only lasts a short time, then they start to adjust.
If you've got set feeds, pick one and cut it out this week, then another the next (or take longer if you want). The first one will be the worst, but she will survive.

Oh, I sound so callous! Make sure you give her lots of good quality mummy time as a substitute. Lots of hugs and kisses. And maybe fun times at the playground (or whatever she likes) as a good distraction.

Good luck!

[Jennifer13]

Congratulations Aimz!!!!

I'll keep it under my hat. I offered water and distracted instead when I cut DD's bfs down. It took a few days to a week before she was 'happy' about it, but it wasn't as bad as I'd imagined it would be.

[aimz78]

Thanks so much for the reassurance, Marcellus and Jennifer, it's nice to know i am not being a "mean" mummy! x
Marcellus did you end up weaning completely? How old was your DS?

[Sammiejane]

congratulations...

We used distraction alot, at the time that she would want to have a feed, we would go for a walk or do something fun.
Could you cut out the morning one first, get up and get moving and do breaky straight away. Then when this is routine for your little one, then have a look at the other two.
The night one will probably be harder, do you feed to sleep?
If you do, i would try and change this (we have recently done this with Miss MJ), we changed where i fed (use to be in her room, now in the lounge) and then went to the bed room for stories and then sleep time. it took a good few weeks for it to break the habit, but she is now settling without being fed to sleep.
After you have done that, then look at removing the feeds.

FWIW i was recently pg and the nipple tenderness did decrease at around 7 -8 weeks (not sure where you are at) also she didnt feed as much as i guess she didnt like the hormonal changes in the milk!

Good luck, hope this helps