Thread: nursing burnout...

I've been nursing for 4 years now. All day, all night...for 4 years. Nursing is really wearing me out. my nursling is 19 months old, and I am done. I honestly can't take it anymore. I get the creepy crawlies so bad that I have had to step away from my sewing scissors to stop myself from cutting my nipples off. I have not nursed him so far today and he is having his nap, thank goodness, and I feel so relieved. I feel somewhat guilty for taking this away from him, but the fact that he'll have a happy more patient mama should be a good trade off. He doesn't seem truly upset over it so far, a little sad but he is receptive to just cuddling.

anyone else wean because of burnout?

i wanted too when i was pregnant .... but my kids are stubborn!:lol:
I say do what makes you happy! :heart:

I am so with you. I haven't weaned but really, really want to. When we get past the adjustment to preschool period we are in now I am seriously considering it. It drives me CRAZY to nurse (at least most of the time). I know that weaning (he is 2 1/2 will be a huge challenge--plus it is the only way to get him down for a nap) so I am worried.
Anyway, I feel your pain and hope it all works out well.

I feel your pain, too...and the creepy-crawlies. Noah is 30 months old and nurses several times a day still. It drives me batty some days (some days I don't mind).

Ack.

Jeni

I was burned out and weaned my DD when she was a lot older than your nursling though and I feel like I should have weaned a lot earlier but kept going because I felt too guilty to wean. If she would have had her way, she'd probably still be nursing today! I understand how you feel. :hug:

A little update

Today is the start of Day 5 and it's been going great! He is sleeping 100000%better at night, happier during the day, engaging in more play with everyone. I am so glad he has taken well to this. I'm also happy to report that I have had no signs of engorgement, so maybe he was nursing so much for such a long time trying to get my supply back, but it just wasn't coming? Has this ever happened to anyone?

we weaned, cold turkey. I tried limiting him for a week a while ago, but he started pressing me for it all.the.time and I was going batty. For him, it's easier to understand "all gone" and he easily keeps on trucking, than "sometimes yes, sometimes no" when he kept trying for the yes, 24 hrs a day. It has worked out really well for both of us.

Good for you, mama.

I have BTDT with my older son, and it was very hard. I should have weaned him a year BEFORE I did. :lol:

I just was at work all day and he nursed all night, and I was too tired to do anything about it.

:hug:

Good for you mama, IM glad he took it so well. Ive been trying to gently nudge my son to wean but he's pretty insistant, I think if I really want to do it, I'll need to go hardcore like you!

two weeks later...

All is well. He is sleeping better at night, 11 hours solid last night!!! Falling asleep all on his own for naps at appropriate time of day, hooray!b