My 14 month old barely eats, is it still okay to wean?
My baby is 14 months old, and we’ve been cosleeping since she was 2 months old. I just got her a new big girl bed, a floor bed in her room but I still sleep with her. I didn’t want to stop cosleeping, plus my husband works nights.
My LO was never a good eater. She barely touches her food and immediately signs “all done.” That’s a whole other struggle, but I’ve been wanting to stop breastfeeding for a while. I’m not in a rush and I’m not going back to work, so I want to slowly start weaning. I am just worried because she doesn’t really eat and if I stop breastfeeding, she will not get her any nutrients..
I’ve been pretty much alone since she was born because my family lives far away, so I started feeding her to sleep because I was completely exhausted. I just wanted her to fall asleep quickly (blame me). I still have to nurse her throughout the night some nights 4–7 times, and if I’m lucky, 3–4 times.
During the day, she’s fine. If she’s in pain or teething, she definitely wants to nurse more often, but if we’re playing, outside, etc., she’s usually okay. I don’t offer, but I also don’t refuse if she asks, if that makes sense.
I just don’t know what to do or how to approach weaning. Hugging, singing, rocking, etc. don’t work. If she’s sleepy and we hit that sweet spot where she’s about to fall asleep, and I don’t breastfeed her, it’s over. She starts crying and screaming, and I just can’t do it. I feel horrible, blame myself, and eventually give her what she wants.
I would really appreciate any tips, recommendations, or advice on how to approach this. Is there anyone I should work with to help me wean her? I honestly don’t know where to start.