How do I wean this child??

Question

Hi ladies,
My daughter is 17 months and I'm ready to wean, but I'm really struggling with it.  She's a terrible sleeper and we usually bed share half the night, so she pretty much has boob access when she wants it.  I don't nurse her during the day except for at nap time.  I know these are bad habits, that's why I need advice!
Any tips on weaning?  I'm a SAHM and my husband works so I get up with our daughter at night.  When nursed, she goes back to sleep in about 10 minutes.  When she's not, it takes about 1.5-2 hours, sometimes longer.  She gets hysterical.  She wakes up anywhere from 1-10 times a night, so you can imagine how easy it is to just nurse her back to sleep.  The pediatrician suggested my husband do bedtime/night wakings but he's not willing to because of his job.  I don't want to just stop because I'm trying to avoid mastitis.
Help!  Any ideas?

Answer

I totally understand if you’re ready to wean, but I just wanted to stop to reassure you that these are not bad habits you’ve created. It is a completely natural way for your little one to fall asleep and get comfort. You’ve done an amazing job to nurse for this long - celebrate that ☺️

Answer

Sudafed or other similar cold medicines can help your supply drop without so much engorgement or potential pain! If you need it.

Answer

I was exactly the same. I cold turkey'd her. Yes it took 1-2hrs to get her to sleep for the first week (instead of 15min on the boob) but eventually it got better and she sleeps much better now.

Answer

I nursed my son on demand day and night until he was 16 months old. At 16.5 months old I was 11 weeks pregnant and exhausted and sick and he was a TERRIBLE sleeper too. Would wake me up 4-8 times a night just to comfort nurse and would cry and cry if I didn’t. 
I started weaning during the day and only nursing at naps and bedtime. You said you’re already on that so that’s a good start. I would try and start with not nursing during naps and just cuddling and comforting in other ways. Then wean nightime after a few days of not nap nursing. 
It’s going to be hard. Some days or nights will be really hard. We went through a rough patch for about a week and a half before we started seeing improvement.
But now he’s 18 months old and sleeps through the night almost every single night!!!! I seriously never ever thought he would sleep through the night 😭😭  weaning him made him go from a terrible sleeper to a great sleeper!! He still sleeps in my bed but now I get to actually sleep too

Answer

I would work on her learning how to self soothe & not fall asleep while nursing. It’ll make the process a lot easier

Answer

This is exactly my situation! I'm trying to wean my 10 month old daughter and looking for help too! So far during the day just bottles, not looking forward to the wake ups during the night. I may have to sleep in a different room from my husband as I know she will just cry and cry. Its so hard seeing them cry and you know you can just end the misery for both of you. I want to get pregnant again so that's my motivation

How do I wean this child??

Let's Glow!

The Top Baby Tracker App: Embrace New Beginnings with Tender Care

The Top Fertility Tracker App: Your Path to Achieving Pregnancy

The Top Pregnancy App: Nurturing Your Journey to Motherhood

The Top Period Tracker for Empowering Your Menstrual Health Journey