Breastfeeding weaning - am I doing this right?
My little one turned 1y 2.5 weeks ago and in the last month or so we have been gradually and gently reducing breastfeeds, starting with taking out daytime feeds at random intervals, then feeds for naps, then the feed for bedtime. Leaving us still feeding twice throughout the night currently, usually 11pm and 2-3am.
Last night we really attempted the 11pm wake up (which was actually more like 10pm last night) resettle with no feed. It was horrific. Husband went in and managed to resettle after 30 mins but then he woke again, another struggled resettle but for like 5-10 mins and then I went in before husband reached the end of his tether, he was SCREECHING like i was torturing him by cuddling him without giving the boob. Like as if he would lose his voice and was almost gagging. I did this for an hour, gradually getting him to where he was quiet and calm but would keep crying again and getting unsettled. Drafted husband back in who got him really settled and asleep but he woke on the transfer into the cot and neither of us could do it anymore. Ended up feeding him to sleep at 12:30am, then he woke again 4:20am for a feed and back to sleep til 6:40am.
It feels so wrong. It’s like torture for him. And ending up feeding him back to sleep at 12:30am anyway felt like i’d put him through all that for nothing in the end.
I’m so ready to be done breastfeeding and husband and I are supposed to be away for a few nights next weekend (first time being away from this baby). I thought he would cope well like he did for the daytime feeds, maybe a little harder but i didn’t expect this. Are we just supposed to do this every night until he gives up?