I’m happy to report that weaning Kwabena has been getting easier and easier. We were down to only nursing in the evening at bedtime, and in the morning when he wakes up. But now we’re (generally) down to nursing only in the a.m. when he wakes.
For his evening routine, we’ve changed it up a bit so that he and I read a few books before bed (which, I know, I should have been doing before…..), and afterwards, turn the light off and cuddle up together. Sometimes I tell him stories, like Goldilocks and the Three Bears or the Three Little Pigs (he loves both, and nods at the appropriate times, as if so intrigued, to say, “Uh, huh, yeah??” while waiting for the next part of the story. It’s pretty cute 🙂
Sometimes he is able to go right to sleep with just our cuddling, but other times, he will whine, “I want that milkie!” and point to my boobs. LOL
In the past week, he’s only asked to nurse maybe twice!
And to top off the success, he’s been sleeping through the night, generally 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
When he wakes at 5 a.m., he whines and cries for milk (i.e. nursing), and I give in without hesitation. After all, to cut him off completely would be cruel and unusual punishment. Nursing is all he’s ever known for the past nearly 2 years! So, the slow and steady (and gentle) method has been working for us. He will get used to not nursing before bed, and after we’ve successfully conquered that, we’ll work on the wake-up morning session.
Once upon a time, I would have been sad about giving up nursing, but I’m at the point where I am happy that I have done it for so long…love the bond that it has created…love knowing that (as vegetarians) I have provided the best possible nutrition for this long… and now I’m happy to say goodbye and move on to other traditions and nurturing habits! 🙂
(Besides, these old “empty tube sock” boobs [as a friend so eloquently labels them] are ready for a break before Baby #2!)
Leave a Reply