Since I rarely post without a picture, and I'm not a nudist, my drawing will have to suffice. But at 23 months I think I can safely say, Calvin is finally weaned. All thanks to a bit of advice from my little brother. (First I must give a little background, so you all don't think that I'm completely crazy, although maybe I am. I can honestly say, I never thought I would be one of those nursing this long, but a. I can't stand for Calvin to cry. It completely breaks my heart so doing the tough love thing totally wasn't working for me and b. I was afraid if I quit nursing I would never figure out how to get the kid to sleep, and with working at home I desperately need his nap and sleep time.)
SO crazy that the one that gave me the advice that worked doesn't even have a kid, but he told me a story about someone he knows whose kid nursed until 4 and that the way they got the kid to stop was by having his wife paint a scary face on her boobs. It totally worked, and he never wanted to nurse again. I did wonder if it would work for Calvin since nothing else seems to, discipline wise. And he sure isn't scared by anything but giant stuffed bears and sombreros, but I figured anything was worth a shot. So I did it, although I figured sharpie was easier than paint and I drew a little something like this:
The picture may not be fully accurate as I have to admit I was a little generous with my cup size, but you get the idea.
Anyhow, so I put Calvin in down with his bunny milk (chocolate quick) another new diversion I was trying and of course he starts crying for boobie. I tell him a monster ate my boobs, (who knows what sort of traumatization I may be creating). Anyhow, he kept asking and I tell him again, that "boobies went bye bye, a monster ate them," and I quickly lifted my shirt to show him the monsters and let out a little scream to complete the effect. He didn't even cry. He just got a startled (probably more like a disturbed) look, laid down and said, "Sleep." And cuddled up next to me and fell asleep. Several times he woke up in the night and said, "Bye bye boob." And a couple other times he woke up wanting boob, but all I had to say was "scary boob" and he'd roll back over and fall asleep.
So today all morning he has been saying, "Bye Bye Boob" or "Boob Scary." I know it's probably scarred him for life. The whole thing is a deeply disturbing thought in which I pray he eventually forgets. His nap was the true test, and confirmed that a. he's deeply traumatized by boobs, and or b. he's actually finally weaned. He lays down and says once more, "bye bye boob" and goes to sleep. No tears no nothing. I couldn't believe it! Thank you Dane!
7 years ago
