Cold Turkey

Lily is done nursing. This was my decision, not hers. I know breast is best, blah blah blah, but I was just done. She was only nursing two or three times a day, and it was completely for comfort, not nutrition. She was starting to bite and was trying out gymnastic moves while nursing. A couple of weeks ago I just decided to stop. I did it for 20 months, and that's enough. Now that she's old enough to ask for it she's old enough to be comforted in other ways. 

The first day was pretty rough. All she did was cry and cry and cry and would not be consoled by anything. The next day was much better. She only cried once, and was mollified by us both crawling into her hut and reading a couple of books together. 

The real challenge has been nap time. She usually takes a nap sometime between 11 and 1, and it's either in the stroller, the car, or she nurses to sleep. Because of allergies I've been pretty tired lately myself, so I had been enjoying just being able to lie down with her, nurse real quick, and a take a nap in the middle of the day. Also, I've just always been a napper. Even through college I managed to get a mid-day nap in a couple of times a week. At my first job at the environmental firm, there was a break room specifically designed for quick 20 minute naps. I loved it. 

Needless to say, I wasn't looking forward to walking or driving for two hours a day without a nap for me. She hasn't been nursing to sleep at night, so I figured we'd give it a shot and just lie down, no nursing. She cried and pulled at my shirt for 40 minutes before passing out in anger. The next day, it only took 5 minutes. And after that there's been no crying at all, she just snuggles up next to me and we go to sleep. It's wonderful. 

I've been avoiding sitting in our usual nursing spot so she isn't reminded of what she's missing out on. It's been two weeks now, and she's completely over it. Every once in a while she pats my chest and says "mama" (her sign for nursing) and then smiles and shakes her head no. This is usually followed by a hug and a request to read a book. 

It's been nice to wear real clothes again and not have to worry about easy access. And I think it's helped her cope with getting upset in public. I haven't been nursing in public for a long time now, mostly only at home. But if she was really tired or upset she would cry and pull at my shirt until we got home or to the car/stroller where I could strap her down and she could sleep. Now she just comes over for a quick hug and runs off again. 

Of course I did some googling on this subject AFTER I just decided to stop. And all of the advice sites say to do it gradually. Oh well, she doesn't seem any worse for wear. It has been gradually less and less since she turned one in July, so I guess that counts.