Really want #2 but dc won't stop nursing

[Anonymous]

DC 1year loves to nurse so I havn't gotten my period back yet. Always wanted kids about two years apart but don't have the heart to cut of a happily nursing child. Also feel like we don't have all the time in the world to build a family due to age. That's all really anybody else in the same position? I should add every where we go is riddled with pregnant women and I'm jealous.

[Anonymous]

I gradually cut off for that reason at 18m. If you don't have the heart to stop nursing, perhaps you could cut down on the caloric output by feeding your DC more food just before nursing. Such as a substantial snack before bedtime. That would lessen the burden on your body and you may get your period back before totally stopping. Also try taking better care of yourself and resting-- nursing isn't the only factor in getting your period.

I felt really bad about cutting off nursing, but my DD did not care, despite having been an enthusiastic nurser. At that point she was just doing it because it was the routine, so one night I explained that it was all gone, and she was fine. Some children care more, others less, and it can be hard to tell until you try.

Ultimately, I believe a sibling is a greater gift than an extra year of nursing. So don't feel bad about it. If you want to give your child a sibling, it'll be worth it. And when you have two kids you will have to balance their needs all the time, so get used to it.

[Anonymous]

Same here. DD is almost 13 months old. I figure the number of nursing sessions is going to drop during the coming months as she starts eating more solids. My plan it to give it a couple of more months and if I don't get my period back by then to actively start weaning. DD is pretty intense, so I think it may be good for her to have our undivided attention for a while longer.

[Anonymous]

I cut out the biggest longest feed - bedtime. He was two. That seemed to be enough - pregnant a couple months later. I cut it out by offering an alternative. He loved olives but we wouln't let him eat them because of salt. AT bedtime, I gave him little cut up olives while we snuggled in bed. Can you give him an alternative?

[Anonymous]

I got pregnant with #2 when #1 was 9 months and still nursing. She self weaned at 11 months, I think because the pregnancy changed my milk. Never had a period in between. I always laugh at people who can't ween, just get pregnant! It solves that problem really quickly! At least it did for me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I gradually cut off for that reason at 18m. If you don't have the heart to stop nursing, perhaps you could cut down on the caloric output by feeding your DC more food just before nursing. Such as a substantial snack before bedtime. That would lessen the burden on your body and you may get your period back before totally stopping. Also try taking better care of yourself and resting-- nursing isn't the only factor in getting your period.

I felt really bad about cutting off nursing, but my DD did not care, despite having been an enthusiastic nurser. At that point she was just doing it because it was the routine, so one night I explained that it was all gone, and she was fine. Some children care more, others less, and it can be hard to tell until you try.

Ultimately, I believe a sibling is a greater gift than an extra year of nursing. So don't feel bad about it. If you want to give your child a sibling, it'll be worth it. And when you have two kids you will have to balance their needs all the time, so get used to it.

This. My period returned when both my kids were 4 months old, and I exclusively nursed.

[Anonymous]

It's probably not a bad idea to start reducing nursing soon anyway, since your child should start eating increasingly more solids.

I understand what you mean about other pregnant women and wanting another child (although we are past the nursing stage -- my kid is almost 3). I'm definitely ready to get pregnant with #2 now!

I think you just have to weigh the pros and cons of each thing. If continuing nursing is important to you, then continue to do it. There's no real "advantage" at this point, though, so if you're ready to have another child, it might be best for everyone to start weaning.

The other thing to consider is your child's memory of nursing. I've heard from several people who did extended nursing and then had another kid shortly afterwards that their #1 was much more jealous and angry about the new baby nursing. It might not hurt to try to stop sooner rather than later if you want to try to avoid this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I gradually cut off for that reason at 18m. If you don't have the heart to stop nursing, perhaps you could cut down on the caloric output by feeding your DC more food just before nursing. Such as a substantial snack before bedtime. That would lessen the burden on your body and you may get your period back before totally stopping. Also try taking better care of yourself and resting-- nursing isn't the only factor in getting your period.

I felt really bad about cutting off nursing, but my DD did not care, despite having been an enthusiastic nurser. At that point she was just doing it because it was the routine, so one night I explained that it was all gone, and she was fine. Some children care more, others less, and it can be hard to tell until you try.

Ultimately, I believe a sibling is a greater gift than an extra year of nursing. So don't feel bad about it. If you want to give your child a sibling, it'll be worth it. And when you have two kids you will have to balance their needs all the time, so get used to it.

It is for some women. Got my period back a couple weeks after weaning both times. Once at 11 months pp and once at 5 months pp.

[Anonymous]

I have many friends who conceived while nursing AND nursed their older children throughout their pregnancies. At 12 mos I dropped my DD to one nursing a day. At 13 months I weaned completely and got my first postpartum period 28 days after my last nursing! So, the only option in my case was full weaning. I thought my DD would be more upset about that (she loved the bedtime nursing) but when I switched it to a bottle she didn't bat an eyelash, and we could still snuggle obviously.

[Anonymous]

Been there. I completely nightweaned as I had read that impacted my hormones the most. It worked and I didn't wean until second trimester!

[Anonymous]

I became pregnant at about the time my DS was 2 and nursing strong. He nursed into my pregnancy until he was 28 months old. I would have tandem nursed, but really didn't want to.
DS2 nursed for 40 months and my DH said "well, remember how we got George to stop---got pregnant with Charlie! We need to get you pregnant again. Ha Ha, not!!

[Anonymous]

How often are you nursing and when? My periods got way more regular after we night weaned around 14 months. I WOH so after that it was basically a morning and two evening sessions.

[Anonymous]

I got one period while I was partially (50%) nursing my twins at 11 months and then started wondering where my next one was about 8 weeks later - yup was pregnant.

You may just have to knock the nursing back a little and not give it up. Good Luck!