How can I stop breastfeeding a stron willed child???HELP?

OK so this is kinda embarrassing, My son is 2 yrs and almost 5 months and still breastfeeding. I am sooo ready to get my body back but, I am having a very hard time in breaking him from breastfeeding. He only want's to breastfeed when going to sleep. ie: afternoon nap and at bedtime. He is to old to take a bottle or formula I have tried giving him a sippy cup but he wails it through the air and screams for "Ta Ta's" I am at my wits end. He is so precious to my heart, it kills me to see him crying for what I am refusing to give him so eventually I give in. I feel like I am causing his pain. My husband and I are trapped here because he refuses to go to sleep with anyone other than me! I need some advice I have asked my son's pediatrician and all she can say is "cut back"...cut back? I am ready to stop and my baby refuses to cut back. I feel like I have done my job more so than any other mother that I have talked to about breastfeeding. PLEASE I am begging HELP ME!

Hi, I too was so ready to just cut of my boobs and hand them to my son at 1 year, so I can only imagine your frustration. If you are at your wits end, its time to try a bottle again. I understand he is 2, but its either try a bottle or be miserable. Verbalize with him "milk" and give him whole (vitamin D) milk (this is guessing hes not allergic) in a large bottle ( I use nuk) at nap time, and also at bedtime. This way he gets the milk he is craving, and you get your "ta tas" back. Do not give in and give him breastmilk. Try the bottle idea! Its time to ween!

How about you and your Ta Ta's make a break for it at bedtime and have your husband put your son to bed? After three or four days you could probably take over the routine again.

You need to realize that there is going to be lots of screaming and yelling and grit your teeth and deal with it. This is only get worse. BTW, you feel like you are causing HIM pain? He is causing YOU pain---and it is intentional. Have no doubts about it---he knows that his fits upset you and he does it to get his way.

Tell him no and that is it. Do not give in ever again---because you just make it worse for all of you. If you give in at 20 minutes, then then next time he'll be able to last 30 minutes and if you give in, then the next time he'll go for longer. You are teaching him to keep fussing until he gets what he wants.

YOU and hubby need to put a stop to this now because this kid is learning he can demand what he wants and get it----even if you don't want to give it to him.

Get a video camera and record one of his tantrums---then watch the video when he is not around. Remind yourself that your job isn't to make his whole life wonderful and rosy 100% of the time. Your job is to raise a child that will become an adult that is happy, has good relationships with others and can function in society. Remind yourself of that when he pitches a fit.

You also need to get him out of your bed. This will only get harder as he gets bigger.

Good luck.

I also nursed my son until he was 2.5!
He also nursed only at nap & bedtime.

Each child is different, so you may have to try a few things to find what works for him & you! But I will tell you what worked for me...

It was actually an accident...I had to take some antibiotics & forgot to tell my doctor I was still nursing. I discovered that the medicine passed through the breast milk. When we laid down for nap time he asked for "leche" & I told him that we couldn't because I was taking medicine & it wasn't good for him. He said, "ok" & we cuddled. He asked again at night time & I used the exact same words & I got the same response from him & that was it!!

You may try to tell him that starting on Friday, there will be no more "ta ta's". He's a big boy, etc... You could also create a bedtime routine (if you don't have one already) & have you & your husband do it together. For example, bath, brush teeth, read books in bed & good night. At the book point, you could remove yourself & go far away not to hear the cries!! Or you can stay & just remind him, "Remember, no more ta ta's, you're a big boy now".

Here is what a friend did....her daughter was quite verbal at 2, so she decided to be very explicit with her about the fact that nursing was going to end. She talked to her about it for several days ahead of time, using simple language to explain that they weren't going to be able to nurse anymore because mommy was tired but that we would still have lots of cuddles. We also discussed that nursing was for smaller babies, and she was a big girl who could eat and drink other foods. Finally, she presented it as an exciting change but also verbalize that it was somewhat sad. When the day came, they had our final nurse and then went on a special excursion to the Tilden merry-go-round and then to pick out a special toy bear which was her ''end of nursing, celebrate that I'm a big girl'' bear. She asked to nurse again once or twice after this, but it was easy to remind her of the change and distract her.

I'm sure you will find what works for all of you with minimal crying!
Good luck!!