Anybody out there nursing or nursed their child into toddlerhood or beyond? I am struggling with trying to decide if weaning is right for us or not. Emma turned 2 a month ago, but is still VERY attached to nursing. She has always been very attached to nursing, but ever since my milk came back in, naturally she fell back in love with it even more! LOL
Anyways, I really can't think of many reasons to wean except selfish ones, and even those don't seem worth it. I guess it seems obvious what I should do, but the one catch is.....she nursed all through Noah's pg, and I had only drops of milk. That was fine, and I kept her nursing in the event that Noah passed away. I had some pretty rough times nursing her during my pg because she only nursed the "pre-letdown" nursing, and it was pretty uncomfortable. If I were to get pg again, I am sure my supply would drop off like it did before, and I don't really want to nurse through a pg again. It's hard though because my DD seems SO set on nursing. I also don't want her to be aware of me weaning her because of a pg, so I really have no idea what to do.
I'm praying about it, but just wanted to know what other's experiences are. Dh has no problem with me still nursing DD, he actually seems to like to be able to offer nursing to her when she needs it.

I hoped Dd would self-wean, but that probably wouldn't happen until high school! haahaa

blessings,
Amber

I nursed my first child until around 30 months and my last until after his third birthday. He wasn't ready to be weaned and I wasn't ready for him to be *wink smiley*

I wouldn't wean until you and her are ready, you'll know when

I agree... I think you'll just reach a day when you just *know* it's the right time for you guys. :) I've not been able to nurse that long, my babies are self-weaners, so I have no advice from experience, only what I *think* I would do. My babies weaned around 11/12 months and I was "feeling" like it was *time* to get pregnant when they were around 1.5. I've always felt like nursing kind of hinders getting pregnant, but then I've known women five weeks PP, fully nursing, and they get pregnant... so there goes that idea.

You'll know..... plain and simple. :)

My experience is also only hypothetical as I've "fought" against each of my girls weaning early (10-12mths) and they've always won ;). I think that I would let my child set the pace in this situation although I, too, always thought this may hinder preg. although this seems not to always be the case. I admire you for nursing your way through one preg. I don't think I could have done that and for your perserverence with your DD. I find I'm always led by a feeling of peace from the Lord in situations like this... I think you'll know when the time is right.

Beth

Whenever you're both ready. Really. Just wait for that.

All of mine have backed off a bit around 1 yr. Some more so than others. And it's been around that time that I start getting that 'itch' to get them off me. So, once they show signs of pulling away, I *encourage*. Not forceful...can't think of how to describe this well...just, if they drop a feeding one day..I'm ok with it. I don't offer, but don't refuse if they 'ask'. But if they drop a feeding one day, I will try to avoid that same one the next day. They're generally fine with it and thus really begins our weaning.
However, I have 'pushed' a bit too hard before..not that it bothered the baby, not one bit! it was me. It's like I was hurt that the baby took to the weaning so well and so quickly. *sniff* I wasn't really *that* ready!!! Ya know?
Then with my daughter...this one still gets me...she was weaned completely at 14 months. I had been nursing longer with each child up to this point...we were up to like 20 months. But then came dd and she showed the same signs as the others at that 1 yr mark. Then an opportunity came up for me in which I was to leave for 4 days. Seeing that dd was already on the path to weaning, I again 'encouraged' which she took to well. And then was finished at 14 months just as I was leaving on this trip.
I *could* have just kept her on a lighter 'schedule' and resumed nursing when I got back. But I just didn't even really consider that option until after the fact. I just figured, well, she's this far into weaning anyway, it'd just be easier to be *done*.
Well, she did fine with it...but I didn't. I was soooo upset that I had weaned her so 'early'. I kept setting my goal to nurse the baby to 2yr. And once again, I had 'failed'. And it was for a selfish reason.
Oh sure, I can justify everything now and it's really not *that* big of a deal. But I do still kind of kick myself in the rear over it.

Just...do what *you* really feel is right Amber : smiles :
To see where you're both at...just start taking away a feeding. I don't know how much she's nursing right now, if you offer or just don't refuse... But, you could try cutting back a bit and see how that works for you. Take it a little at a time to see how comfortable you are. Then if at any time you decide, nope, this is too much, I want her back..then go right ahead

My DD is going to be 3 in a couple of months and we are still nursing. Although it is getting to be less and less, She still asks to at times. I had tried to wean her right after she turned 2 because i was getting 'touched out' but she was not ready. As time has gone on, she is easier and easier to redirect and i am sure that in a few months, she will give it up completely. Do what you feel is right :)