Gabriella is only 14 months old and I wanted to nurse her at least until September when my next is due but I'm struggling. I think it has to do with pregnancy.. I'm 14 weeks and this happened to me around the same time when I was pregnant with G and nursing Lawson. I start producing less and I get really irratable when I am nursing, especially at night. I almost can't stand to nurse.. I feel like I hate it at times. I have decided to wean G. I just feel so guilty about it. And I also feel like such a hypocrit for things I have thought about other moms who have decided not to nurse at all or have weaned really early. When they have explained how nursing feels to them, I kind of had this attitude like "stop being so selfish and get over it" but now that I'm here its not that simple. I just can't even explain how uncomfortable nursing has become for me. I just don't want to do it anymore! Anyway.. I just wanted to vent my frusterations and ask you ladies for prayers. G isn't going to be easy to wean, shes a demanding little thing with an attitude, lol. Thanks ladies!

Prayers for you Ashlee, I have been at that point of wanting to wean than and not pregnant sweetie.

I nursed till my daughter was 2, but by 15 months my daughter was becoming so demanding at night it was really bothering me. I also had the nurser with the demanding attitude! Hugs you did and are doing great!! Way to go even 14 months is fantastic. Will pray for your heart to lead you.

Hugs and prayers Ashlee.

Our kids were usually weaned at about 12-14 months so it doesn't seem unusual to me at all, Ashlee. I can understand wanting to wean a bit early if you're pg and I weaned one of ours pretty early when I found out I was pg with the next one. There are probably two schools of thought to this, but it seemed best for us. [hug]

Hugs, sweetie. You've done a fantastic job!

Just wanted to ask, is it night nursing that bothers you or is it all the time nursing that bothers you? For some moms, cutting out the night nursing helps a lot.

It sounded more like all the time nursing bothered you, so if weaning is what helps keep you sane, then that's the right thing to do.

Oh Ash! (((((((Hugs))))))) 14 months is plenty old enough to wean, and it sounds like your body is telling you it's too much. A lot of doctors say you should stop nursing when your pregnant, because it's really hard on you to be giving away all those nutrients all the time. Don't feel bad, and you don't have to go "cold turkey" either. Maybe just nurse her once to get her to fall asleep, or some other time. Or write down how many times you nurse, and drop one every couple days or so. If you're nursing her at night, just quit that first. She'll probably learn to sleep better without it anyway, Timmy did anyhow after the first week or two.

That age is about when I get that 'bug' anyway...the urge to wean, regardless of whether I'm pg or not. But pg certainly increases that feeling.
Dittoing Ruth..is it *just* the night time nursings that are getting the best of you right now? Or is it all of it? If you can identify that, that may help. Start with decreasing nursing sessions during your most 'irritable' time. See how that goes. That may provide an immense relief and you can carry on a couple more months. Worth a shot anyway, huh?
But don't feel bad for feeling this way. You've made it 14 months. That is great! And you're pregnant and everything's worse/harder when pg. That's just the way it is. Some women breeze through a pg while nursing. Many others, can't do it. I'm one of the latter. But then again, as I said, 14 months is about when I start tiring in the first place. Add a pregnancy and nausea and fatigue to that..and ... hello !?! Call me done! :p The longest I've made it is 3-4 mo into a pg.

Just step back...cut out a nursing session then just play it by ear.

**hugs**

I completely understand the emotion of it all. I feel for ya babe!

Hugs. We moms put so much pressure on ourselves. :???: We set little timelines and expectations...I still feel guilty that I only nursed my first three for 4 months...but I was working night shift as an L&D nurse and it was so hard on my body....I managed to nurse the 4th till he was 21 months BUT it took a lot on my part to do so and I never got pregnant again. And truly after 12 months...He mostly nursed at night, and upon awakening and at nap times. I think it is MORE than perfectly reasonable to stop in your situation. Who knows, maybe this urge is from God and He is trying to protect you from something...protect this pregnancy...who knows! Pray on it and then go with your heart on it. I can't think of anyone who doesn't think nursing 14 months is a fabulous gift and sacrifice already. :-D

Awww...i'm sorry you are feeling this way Ash! ((HUGS)) I've totally been there done that when i weaned my kids. With Ethan i didn't go as long as i wanted and i felt like a hypocrite as well. But it humbled me and showed me to have compassion for others that felt that they couldn't breastfeed because i was now in their shoes. Like everybody else has said you did a great job of breastfeeding for 14 months! And you shouldn't feel bad about making a choose that will help you not be irritable and a better momma for your kids by keeping your sanity. ;) You're a great mommy Ash! And doing such a great job!
[loveyou]

Yeah, I'm feeling humbled too Vanessa. And thank you for your sweet comments.[loveyou] too!

Thank you all for your encouraging words. It really helped cheer me up and take away some of the guilt I was feeling.

To answer your question, Ruth and Tara.. it is worse at night, I really really hate being used as a pacifier well I'm trying to sleep. And at this point I'm not sure shes even getting anything so I am literally being used just to pacify, not to nurish. She doesnt really even want to nurse during the day very much, maybe twice a day. And when she does its usually right before falling asleep and she only nurses for a few minutes. I can handle that, but it seems kind of pointless, like I said I dont think shes really getting anything. I mean I can still squeeze milk from my breast so I know I'm not totally dry, but I have lost a lot of mass in that area and I don't hear her gulping or anything.

I was thinking about what you said, Chrissy, and I'm thinking God knows what hes doing and if I dry up now, maybe its for a good reason. Maybe the baby in my womb needs the extra I can give right now. Gabriella was soley nursed for her first 8 months and then up till a year she was given a tad of solids here and there but really she had a good start, she totally healthy and with the way we eat I know shes getting enough nutrition from solids. I'm going to try not to fret about it.

Thanks again ladies![loveyou] all!