HRJ is a.d.d.i.c.t.e.d. to nursing. Addicted. Like I wish there was some kind of methadone treatment I could give him to help his withdrawls.
I'm ready to stop nursing. He isn't using me as a food source as I'm barely producing any milk. Basically, I'm one big pacifier. All day long. If he sees me sit down on the couch or at the computer he comes over and immediatly signs, milk. When we go out to a new place and he's uncomfortable or strangers (new friends) come into our home he desperatly wants to nurse. But just long enough to feel comfortable and then he's off. It's exhausting and a little irritating to be honest. I'm sick of having to do it in public. On top of that? It's starting to become painful.
But how do I cut it off?
This afternoon he wanted to nurse and I told him no. I put his sippy cup and his bowl of food right next to us so that he could eat or drink if that's what he was wanting. He had absolutely no interest. He just layed in my arms and screamed bloody murder. We were sitting next to his toys so I started pushing buttons and trying to distract him. After 10 minutes of his screaming and my almost giving in, he did finally move on to other activities.
The look on his face was so sad, though. And the way he was acting made me feel as though I was taking away his most favorite thing...oh, wait I was. Am I going to break my son by taking this away?
No, I know I won't but it feels like that.
Should I take my time doing this? Give it to him at bedtime, naptime and in the am. Is that good or should I just cut him off completely?
I wish they'd said in all the advice I read: don't let your baby continuously nurse while sleeping, even if that book you are reading is really good and you want him to stay asleep. You will regret it when you're ready to stop.
Also,
I've been introducing Vitamin D milk lately. It isn't going very well, he takes three sips and then will turn his head at the offer of anymore. Does he need to have the milk? He gets calcium from other sources and Vitamin D from his daily vitamin and being outside everyday. I don't know. There are so many questions rolling around in my head. It's exhausting. I'm exhausted.
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