Advice anyone? - Weaning etc.

Jamison'smama wrote: Okay, I think DH and I are ready to think about another baby--however--that means Clomid for me. The problem is the nursing. I do love to nurse but I would like to completely wean her from night time nursing. We have STARTED trying to wean her at night--this is day three and last night I slept 2 1/2 hours. She was awake for her 2am nursing--I held her and attempted to comfort her until she gave up at 3:00--then back up at 4:30--tried and tried to get her to sleep but at 5:30 I gave up and got up, got dressed, dressed her, etc. At 7:00 when she asked to nurse I let her since it was "morning" --she nursed for ONE MINUTE and then went back to sleep. She only nurses for a few minutes at night but If I ever want to get pregnant I have to start this weaning somewhere.

Anyone have any suggestions---It is unknown about Clomid and breastmilk except that it may decrease production. I would be perfectly willing to take the meds and nurse if it was safe but that doesn't appear to be known.

Weaning is harder than I ever thought it would be --for both of us. I would also like to transition her into her own bed---yikes.

I guess I am asking for suggestions for easier weaning--and any suggestions for transitioning into her own bed--any one tried to transition this late in the game?

DansMom replied: Oh gosh, I feel for you. I haven't been able to even start night-weaning. I give in so easily. I'll be reading every reply to save up ideas for when I am ready. I did read Dr. Jay Gordon's article about night weaning which Schnoogly posted some time ago. I will probably try that approach when I'm ready.

Jamison'smama replied:
Oh I remember that--I need to look that up and see if there is any hope--It is breaking my heart--I think the caving in is what is making it so much harder but I just can't brake her little heart.

jem0622 replied: To be honest...Gabe was down to twice a day nursing and I just went cold turkey on him after my D&C. Yes, he fussed at me for a few days. But we got past it. He is not on bottles but does take a paci for naps/bed.

I would do more research on Clomid and BM before weaning if you are not ready. And I highly recommend you look at Dr. Nathan Hale's book. Don't recall the name. You can look him up on Amazon probably. He lists all kinds of meds and if they are safe or not.

You may need for your DH to help. If you come in and not nurse...she'll just be even more angry. Sometimes it is easier if Mommy isn't visible during the times that they are most needy.

HUGS

Kaitlin'smom replied: sending lots of hugs and my only advice is one thing at a time, choose either night weaning or transiting to her bed stick with that, once you got that and its been a few weeks then move on to the next. Oh and with ngith weaning DH is gonna have to take most of that other wise as most of us are we cant say no when they want to BF. I gave in alot to, and go figure when I decided to not let her nurse anymore at night she started sleping throug the night, now I have a feeling it was also to due with the formula before bed I have cut that out and now she just gets milk warmed, seems to be better. Best of luck!

amynicole21 replied: We are in the process of night weaning right now. We started last Wednesday - basically not nursing between 11pm and 6am. I think Sophia was actually kind of ready for this, because she really only fussed badly for the first 2 nights, and even then she was back asleep within 15 minutes of being walked/rocked to sleep. Last night she wimpered about 4 times in her sleep, but a simple hug and snuggle (we co-sleep) was enough to send her back to lala land. Hopefully, when the week is up she'll be sleeping through the night.

I totally agree that DH has to take most of the responsibility for her at night while you are weaning her. Of course, my DH thought this was totally unreasonable so good luck with that. Also, be sure to wear a nightshirt when you do comfort her. I usually sleep topless, and access was just too easy for Ms. Sophia. She'd be latched on before I even knew what hit me

As for sleeping in her own bed, I'd try to cut out weaning first. It might be a chicken/egg sort of thing... she'd wean more easily if she wasn't in bed with you, or she'd sleep on her own better if she was weaned. Either way, I'd try to do one at a time for a while. If that doesn't work, try it all at once It's all trial and error, anyway Good luck, and keep us posted on her progress!

Schnoogly replied: Have you checked Hale's regarding clomid? You might go to the PP breastfeeding board and ask about this. There is an LC there plus women with LOTS of experience, more than we have here.

http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-ppbre...feed?redirCnt=1

Schnoogly replied: Here's a thread from the TTC and BF board


http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-ppttc...bf/?msg=14988.4

Seems like the verdict is still out, but many docs will prescribe it with a nursing toddler and it looks like lots of women on that board have used it while BFing.

I'm guessing decreased milk production, plus the milk tastes "funny" when you're PG will aid the weaning process. I wouldn't try to push it too fast but would probably go on the clomid while nursing if it were me. And I'd also suggest sleeping with her on a mattress on the floor in her room. Then start leaving once she's asleep for a couple hours, then make it longer once she seems ready for that. She'll probably want to come back to your bed (or have you there) most of the night for a while, but this seems a lot easier than making her sleep in a crib if she has never done that. At least it's easier for us. He sleeps better in his room with me than he did in our bed (better for him that is!!)

coasterqueen replied: LOL. I actually posted this question on the BF board for you, hope you don't mind Didn't state who you were or anything, but was trying to get some info on it. Have only got one response, waiting for others.

I wish I had advice on how to wean, but I don't. ((HUGS)) and maybe we'll be able to find some info for you on safety of clomid and nursing. I did read how it can decrease supply. If anything it would be easier to take the clomid and still nurse and let her kinda wean herself as your supply decreases. Just a guess.

kimberley replied: sorry i don't have much advice, the boys kinda weaned themselves but i wanted to offer much hugs and support.

MommyToAshley replied: I replied to your question in this thread:
http://forums.parentingclub.com/index.php?...t=ST&f=3&t=6715

My reply is the next to last response. I don't know if our approach will work with Jamison, but it is worth a try. Ashley used to wake up every two hours, and I just had to night wean her. (This was around 9 months old) And, now she sleeps 12 hours straight. I hope you have similar success! I think the most important thing is consistency so that Jamison doesn't get confused on when it is ok to nurse and not ok, if you KWIM. If she is only nursing for a few minutes, she is definitely just using nursing to get back to sleep and is not hungry. This is what Ashley was doing and why I decided to night wean.

GOOD LUCK!!!

Jamison'smama replied:
Thanks for posting that. I don't mind at all. Last night was already better--she woke up 3 times but let me just pat her and get her back to sleep.

I really would like to continue to nurse on demand while on Clomid but I am just a little scared.

Maddie&EthansMom replied: I'm sorry. I don't have any advice, but to say that you are smart to think about these things now. Since Maddie is 3.5 yo it was a little easier to get her into her bed and she didn't always sleep with us. And she weaned from nursing at 4 mos. I wish you all the luck. It will be hard, but hang in there. Let us know how it goes.

Good Luck TTC #2!!

coasterqueen replied: Well, I really didn't get many responses to the question I posted for you on the PP BF board I got the answer about how it may decrease supply, and got the answer that you should pick up a copy of "O" magazine because there is an article in there about how clomid causes ovarian cancer. That's all I got. Have you seen that article?

Sorry wish I had more info for you

Jamison'smama replied: I did read that article--didn't seem to have any facts with it---stated it more like "is this a coincidence?" I don't ovulate (no progesterone) so that is my only option to actually conceive a child. I did here/read of a homeopathic drug that may assist with progesterone but I have to do some more research.

MommyToAshley replied: So, how did it go last night with night weaning? Did you try anything different?

I just have to add that your avatar is adorable!!!! She looks like a pink snow bunny!

Jamison'smama replied: SHE SLEPT THROUGH THE NIGHT!!! Whimpered a couple of times but never really woke up.

Thanks for asking!

amynicole21 replied:
Hooray!!!! Wonderful News! Hope she keeps it up!!

Kaitlin'smom replied:
WHoo Hoo that makes the night weaning easy! Keep it up!

coasterqueen replied: I am sooooo glad she slept thru the night! YAYAYAY!!!!!!!!!!

I didn't figure that article had any substance in it. I did get some good research info on clomid last night from a friend. Let me know where I can email you the info and I will do it. I know you are still night weaning, and that's fine with me I just thought that having that info might be helpful too. And I think it is totally great she slept thru the night and seems to be doing so well with the change.

DansMom replied: Woo-hoo! This gives so many of us some hope and optimism!!!

Jamison'smama replied: I am going to continue to night wean since it is going so well --seems like she was ready (at least I hope she was) but I will keep the day nursing as long as I can.

email-- bdgear@columbus.rr.com

Thanks--I definately want the information!