When Weaning Doesn’t Go As Planned

Breastfeeding. An intimidating, yet beautiful thing.

I could go on and on about how amazing and hard and wonderful breastfeeding is. Coming from someone who was going to “try” nursing but wasn’t sold on it while I was pregnant with my first, I would encourage everyone to TRY if you’re able to.

One of my greatest accomplishments so far in life is breastfeeding my babies. That being said, the second time around the weaning process has not come easy for me. With my first baby, I went in knowing that I was going to wean him by 5 months, when my husband and I were getting married. Honestly, I didn’t want to have to worry about nursing schedules and pumping on our wedding day or honeymoon. This time around, my goal was a year. I accomplished that goal (YAY!) but quickly realized that I wasn’t ready to be done nursing.

So many more emotions than I remember from the first time around.

I clearly remember the last time I nursed my first born. It was right before my 25th birthday, and I remember sitting there in his rocking chair knowing that it was the last time I’d nurse him. It was bittersweet, but we were both ready. I felt at peace with the decision to be done nursing him.

With my second, I don’t feel like either of us are ready yet. Emotionally, I know I’m not. He eats A TON of regular food and drinks from sippy cups, so I know it’s not necessarily that he needs to nurse. He nurses more for comfort than anything, and I’m not ready to take that away from him. When he falls, it comforts him and stops him from crying. When he wants to go to sleep, it comforts him until he falls asleep (most of the time.)

At 14 months old, we are still going strong. I always said I would never nurse my babies past a year, but my mindset has completely changed with him. I’ve missed out on doing other things in the past year because of nursing schedules and not wanting to be that far away from him, but I wouldn’t change it. I know I’ll always look back on those special bonding moments with my baby boy and treasure them forever.

As far as weaning goes, it’ll happen eventually … when we’re both ready.

Meghan Culpepper
Meghan lives on the Northshore with her husband, Brandon, and their two boys. She grew up on the Northshore and happily settled back in to raise her family there. When she's not playing referee between her 4 & 2 year olds, she enjoys watching the Food Network and trying to actually learn how to cook (or bake!) Meghan loves being a boy mom and can probably win at any kind of Ninja Turtle trivia.

1 COMMENT

  1. Take your time! I nursed my first for 3 years. I’m still nursing my second who just turned 2. I don’t regret a single moment!

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