Two months ago I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety.

 

A Reader Asks: 
Hi parents 2months ago I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety my doctor prescribed me with meds but I had to postponed taking it cause I'm still bf my 2yrs old baby girl I said ill try to wean her first before I start treating my depression it's hard dealing with all my emotions sometimes I get really frustrated with my LO and end up yelling at her it makes me feel guilty so much. I tried every possible way for her to quit comfort nursing or nursing to sleep I tried the slow ways first like I had to cut every bf session one by one but it doesn't work out well she end's up crying her way and me giving in ;( it's hard cause I am also a working mom so I have to leave her whenever I have to do some work I bring her to work but leave her in her playpen whenever I have to do some working. She continue asking for me and for me to bf her until my husband snap at me and we end up fighting telling me that I am the problem why my LO can't stop bf he said I should be be tough and let her cry. Now that's what I'm doing and I don't know if im doing everything right I can't get her to listen and try to outsmart me she's just 2yrs old and she's already knows how to outsmart me. So I end up threatening her that ill leave her if she keeps asking for bf.. it does work but it makes me feel bad for doing this method 🙁 idk what to do it is making me feel bad and depress. Ps. Her dentist also said I should stop bf her cause of her teeth and the shape of her jaw starting to have a problem. So really I am forced to do this the hard way.. i welcome any advice about weaning thank you in advance.

Solution:

Oh mama, you're in the trenches, and we see you. You're juggling a two-year-old who has the brainpower of a tiny lawyer, a full workload, a husband with opinions, and your own mental health. First, let’s normalize this: weaning is tough, and no one gives you a manual for managing tears, guilt, and unsolicited advice.

Step One: You’re Not the Bad Guy

Let’s address the guilt head-on. Threatening to leave probably feels like a shortcut, but it’s rooted in frustration, not malice. Give yourself grace; we’re not perfect, just human. But let’s try shifting from “threats” to “teamwork.” Instead of "I'll leave you," try, "We're going to learn how to sleep without nursing because you're growing up so strong!" Yes, this will be harder than building IKEA furniture, but it’ll feel better long-term.

Step Two: The "Super Mom Weaning Plan" (Trademark Pending 😉)

  1. Distraction is Key
    At 2, your LO doesn’t have a ton of impulse control, but she’s an expert negotiator. When she starts asking to nurse, whip out her favorite snack, a new toy, or even a special "weaning-only" stuffed animal. Make her feel like she's leveling up, not losing out.

  2. Tag-Team Parenting
    If you’re the go-to comfort provider, you’ll need to step back a little at bedtime. Can your husband take over nighttime routines for a while? Bath, books, and cuddles—he gets to be the MVP while you rest and remind yourself you’re not failing, just delegating.

  3. Build New Comfort Habits
    Introduce alternatives to comfort her. Think back rubs, cuddling, or singing. Sure, it’ll take time for these to feel as good as nursing, but consistency will help.

  4. Set Clear Boundaries and Celebrate Progress
    You’re not saying “no” to her needs; you’re saying, "This is how we’re moving forward together." Celebrate even the smallest wins: "Wow, you went to sleep without nursing tonight—look at you growing up!"

Step Three: Fill Your Own Cup

Post-weaning, your meds will help, but don’t wait to take care of yourself emotionally. Try journaling, joining a mom group (even virtual ones), or giving yourself permission to be unapologetically tired. Burnout doesn’t make you a bad mom—it makes you human.

Amazon to the Rescue

Here are two products to ease your weaning journey:

    1. Munchkin Gentle Transition Trainer Cup – This magical cup mimics nursing but transitions your toddler to a big-kid stage. 
  1. Lansinoh Therapearl Breast Therapy Pack – For those post-weaning days when engorgement and discomfort hit, these reusable gel packs are lifesavers. 

Parenting: where guilt and love share coffee, but you’ve got this. Keep going, mama—you’re raising a tiny genius, and that’s no small feat. 💪

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