Very much depends on the kid. For my eldest, we got down to just a bedtime session at 17 or 18 months. I realized that she wasn’t really asking to nurse anymore, if anything I was chasing her around to get her to nurse and settle down for bed, and I was starting to feel a little resentful. So one day I just didn’t offer, snuggled and rocked her instead. Took a little longer to get her to bed, but after that she was done. My second is almost the same age now, but SUCH a different kid, and I don’t see her stopping anytime soon.

It is so bittersweet isn’t it? Some days I’m so done with it, feeling touched out and ready to stop, another day I enjoy nursing again and the intimacy it brings. I’ve heard from some mums that their baby pretty much weaned themselves, and heard from others that they had to stick to a strict mantra to themselves to cut the feeds. Each kid is so different.

At the end of the day, what matters most is your baby having a happy mum around. You’ve done so well to breastfeed this long and given your little one an amazing start. If you are ready to stop then that is the best thing for you and your baby. If you aren’t ready to stop then by all means enjoy continuing your breastfeeding journey until either you or your little one are ready to stop. There’s no rush or timeline, whatever personally works for you is the right answer. :)

I’m currently weaning at 26 months and it was very much a conscious choice from me as my little boy has been so resistant to it and it’s been a slow process dropping the feeds. Makes me feel so guilty! We are down to one or two a day now. However, he is such a comfort nurser and days where he is poorly he is seeking out feeds to soothe him. He is autistic too and it was a long journey to guide him away from using the boobs as a way to calm down and regulate himself when he is having a meltdown/shutdown.

If you do want any tips on how I weaned some feeds out of his routine please let me know.