Questions & Answers

Taking it slowly like that tends to be easier both on the baby and your body. Giving him an alternative way to still feel close and secure is key, even though it's still going to be a struggle getting him to accept the swap.

Hormones released only after the placenta is torn away from the uterine Wallace what change the milk to colostrum, so you've got no worries in that regard. That said, as the other mommies mentioned, he may become less interested once your milk changes. In addition to the taste and consistency being different, it can also affect his stools, making them much looser. It's a tough call when you're ready to be done and your nursling isn't. You can always ride it out and see if he loses interest on his own. If you do have to lead the weaning, it would likely be a little easier if you tried instituting a new bedtime routine since that's when you say he likes to nurse. Try cutting out one feeding a day, say nap time if that applies, or nighttime if you think that would be easier, and offer an alternative that can still relax and cuddle him. Even have someone else do it if you can. Once you have that new routine in place for 3 days - a week, work on cutting out another feeding.

A friend of mine posted a picture about a mom who was breastfeeding a newborn and her older babe at the same time. When she pumped the difference was AMAZING in the milk that was from the side of the newborn vs. the side the older baby nursed on. I'm not sure about the taste difference, but it seems like our bodies inherently know what the baby needs from the saliva it absorbs and makes milk to match.

Hearing=nursing

We're still hearing too, I think my milk is changing flavor and Max doesn't like the taste because he seems to be weaning on his own. My doctor and the lactation specialist have both said that's pretty common, that many kids will wean on their own when mom is around 20 weeks. From all the research I've done, your body will still make colostrum for the baby even if T keeps nursing all the way through. Your body will keep making it, I don't think you have to worry about him drinking it all up and there being none left for his brother. Also, my milk came in less than 24 hours after Max was born, so he didn't get much colostrum and he's always been super healthy, so I don't worry too much. I'm not really planning to tandem nurse, but have read a lot about it in case that happens, since I've also read a lot about toddlers who wean during moms pregnancy and then want to nurse again once baby is here, looks like your body can also figure that out!

Oh, also, if I DO have to wean, any advice on how to cut him off easily and gently? When I tried before to refuse him, he seemed so hurt and confused, it broke my heart... so could really use help there also. Thanks ladies!