Thursday, February 19, 2009
Weaning because I have too.
I've decided I'm going to wean Amelia. Quite honestly I didn't want to wean her at all and was just going to go with the flow even when the next baby arrives. However, this entire pregnancy has been so different and nursing is not going so well. When I first got pregnant it was yucky to nurse, because of the hormone shift and being extra sensitive, however I thought it would subside and kept going. Then I was pretty sure I had thrush and she didn't because it hurt and was very uncomfortable to nurse. Now it's been 16.5 weeks, I do not have thrush and it's getting worse and worse. I feel like Dr. Jekyll and Mrs. Hyde. I'm totally fine, happy, loving her and then the moment she tries to nurse (does nurse) I freak out. This may sound awful but I could throw her. I told Kurt last night I would rather cut my nipples off then have her nurse, I can't even describe the feeling but I cannot do it anymore. I can't put Amelia through it anymore either, I can't even control my emotions and I try hard. Last night I bit my lip so hard trying to take away from that feeling that I was afraid I was going to bite a hole in it. So, the weaning process is at hand - however it's not going well. She freaks out and throws fits if I say no. I'm really thinking about going cold turkey. I need to sit down with some books but any advice would be helpful. Suggestions? Anyone else go through this? I know my mom has and some other woman. Ahhh!
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6 comments:
I weaned early on (Frick was 7 months) because I was pregnant and going through the same feelings. It just plain hurt. I know exactly how you are feeling. However, Frick was soooo young, he had no clue. He took the bottle like a champ and we moved on. So I am not sure what to tell you as far as handling Amelia. :(
As I said it was painful for me but not so bad as what you describe. I just offered her her sippy whenever she asked to nurse and after just a day or so she stopped asking. I think if you can just make it thru 2-3 days of fussing she will probably be done with it. We had to go cold turkey with the binky and it was just a couple days before she forgot about that too.
I think I'd be more willing to go cold turkey, too, to get it over w/ more quickly. However, if you already have infections, I would be careful of getting mastitis. That happened to me the 1st time I tried to wean Brennan. :( NO FUN. (and he was 10 months)
It WILL be kinda hard, but hang in there. She is more ticked than anything. Like others said, offer a sippy, or even a bottle if you need to. Involve Kurt as much as possible! Pat was a huge help w/ Brennan. If I was there, it's what he immediately wanted to do. Incorporate a new routine involving snuggling w/ her facing outward.
Good Luck! I wish it was easier. And I am sorry it's been so hard on you.
Do not feel guilty! I'd planned on tandem nursing, but I, too, was experiencing a lot of discomfort nursing during pregnancy. Also, I have to consider my history of premature dilation. What's been amazing is that by slowly stopping to offer my breast, Rachel Marie has slowly stopped asking. I understand not every child responds this well to gentle weaning, so I'll be praying things go okay for you and your little one.
I think lots of extra cuddles and contact with Amelia in place of nursing will go a long way in helping during this tough transition. With my first - whom I had to wean around 2 yrs. b/c I couldn't get pregnant again - I bought a fancy, new sippy cup and that helped a lot.
Good luck, and God bless!
Now I've got to get ready for church! :)
Andrea, I had to wean a few weeks back as well it just hurt way too much. I find that distraction works well for my kids, if at the time they normally nursed I did something totally different to keep there mind of of it they were fine. I am not sure how often Amelia is nursing but I eliminated one a day until she was done it was fast but worked ok. Plus I did not hold her in the rocking chair for a few days b/c that was were we nursed, I didn't want to remind her and make her think she was going to nurse and then not let her. We just cuddled in new places instead. Good luck!
I've never been in this boat, but OUCHIE MOMMA! I back you 110% and of course will pray that it's a easy transition for both you and her.
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