Weaning a 2-year-old.

I have no idea how to go about this. I think part of the issue is that I have just not been fully committed. Deep down, I know that we have to do it some time. But it's so hard in the middle of the night when he wakes up and just cries and cries. Here is our schedule as far as nursing/sleep goes:

12:00 p.m.-Nursing for about 10-20 minutes to take a nap; nap lasts for 1-2 hours

9:00-Nurse to go to sleep. This can sometimes go on for an hour. Also, sometimes, he asks for "boo-boo", I go nurse him, and then he decides he isn't ready for bed and wants up to play again.

After he falls asleep, I transfer him to his crib, where he typically sleeps until 2:00 or 3:00 a.m. Like clock work, he wakes up and cries until I come get him and bring him to bed with me, where he then nurses about every hour or two until 8:00 a.m., when we get out of bed.

So I guess really, we need to sleep train as well as wean. For some time, I thought that he simply wasn't ready, but he is almost two years old now, and I am so ready. I feel selfish, but I also know that it is time for a little more independence and self-soothing on his end. We have gotten into some bad habits from the get-go, first time mom and all. I was just wondering if anyone had any advice, or has been in this same position. TIA.

I was told its a habbit at that age try to rock him with out giving the boob when he wakes up or see if he can self sooth with a sippy cup of water my son gets water at night and sleeps all night he just cuddles with the cup.

I don't think your selfish. Can you SO other help in the middle of the night. When DD would wake up, he would go to her and cuddle and rock her back to sleep. Once she realized we were serious, she quit waking up. I am only nursing her 2 maybe 3 times during the day right now, and not at all during the night.

It sounds like he still nurses a lot at night. What we did last time (and what i'm hoping to do this time) is having the hubby go in when the baby cries. That way the boob is not an issue. At 2 years old, i'd be wanting a little bit more freedom at night too. Who am i kidding, i've wanted more freedom for a while now.   It's just that dang mommy guilt that always gets in the way. Next month, i get to start weaning my youngest so I'm right there with you. ;)

Good luck!

Thanks guys. I know that it's not selfish, but it's hard to remember when the little tears start falling   He doesn't really like a sippy cup that much, but I will try that tonight and see if maybe he can learn to get accustomed to it. My SO works 24-hour shifts during the week, and is gone on calls a lot some other nights, so that is why I struggle so much... No back up! I guess I just need to be more firm and not give in. Thanks for the advice/support... It means a lot!

I just weaned my 2 1/2 year old a couple months ago. I'd been half trying since 18 months. Once you fully commit it goes WAY easier. I waited until my son actually understood what was happening without feeling rejected (that was my major concern) and once I felt we were both fully ready it only took one weekend. He was nursing all night long and only sleeping about an hour in between. But now he sleeps all night long. He had been daytime weaned since 18 months.

I got him used to falling asleep without nursing for about a week then did strict weaning (not giving in) and it worked. I told him that he drank mommy's milk all gone and if he wanted milk he'd have to get it from the fridge. I told him this over and over and that mommy was sorry and would cuddle him close til he fell back asleep. We started Friday night and by Monday night he was ok (not happy but ok)

Quoting BoobyMonster's Mommy:" I just weaned my 2 1/2 year old a couple months ago. I'd been half trying since 18 months. Once you fully ... [snip!] ... and would cuddle him close til he fell back asleep. We started Friday night and by Monday night he was ok (not happy but ok)"

Thanks! I know that the biggest issue is not being fully committed. We'll try this approach and see where it gets us