my son is 16 months almost and he still breastfeeds at night only, he will not go to sleep without his boobie in his mouth, ive tried a nipple or a bottle but he's smarter than that. I've read that a kid is lucky to be breastfed till 2 yrs old. any suggestions on how to stop and if its ok if i start trying to stop ?
2006-07-26 14:06:59 · 22 answers · asked by sourgirl 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
When to stop breastfeeding is a personal choice for you and your baby. I know plenty of moms who are still nursing kids over the age of 2 and there's nothing wrong with it as long as the kid is getting good solid meals, vitamins, and calcium from other sources such as cheese, yogurt, fortified foods, etc.
If you want to stop nursing, just cut out the bedtime feeding. Give him a sippy cup with some milk or water at bedtime, but don't let him take it to bed with him or it will rot his teeth. For example let him drink it while you read him a story. Hold him and cuddle him if you want to just don't nurse him. It might take a while and you may have to change your bedtime routine, but after a couple of weeks of not nursing your milk will start to dry up and taste different and he won't want it anymore even if you did let him try it.
Btw, I can't believe some of the crap advice some people give here! Whoever suggested that a 16 month old should be out of diapers or that you should give him formula with cereal obviously hasn't been a parent to a baby in 20 or so years because times have changed, people!
2006-07-27 04:13:18 · answer #1 · answered by brainchild 3 · 6⤊ 1⤋
It is fine to stop anytime after 12 months. Only suggestion is to make sure you are ready to deal with crying and not going to sleep good until he is used to the idea. Going to sleep with a bottle/drink at all at this age isn't a good idea, it promotes tooth decay. Read a story, cuddle, offer a bottle or sippy cup (maybe water) before bed. Explain the changes in advance. Start a new routine. It may take a week, but you have to be willing to do it if that is what you want. While breastfeeding is the perfect food for little ones, I personally wouldn't go past 2 years. It really is a preference. Best wishes
2006-07-26 17:18:18 · answer #2 · answered by not at home 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh honey when to wean your baby is a very personal and private choice. It is totally up to you. You aren't doing any harm to your baby by breastfeeding him especially if it is only the night feeding. One thing I would suggest is don't try to give him a bottle or pacifier instead that would just be another habit to break later. I think when you are ready to wean you will have to change your entire bedtime routine. Maybe, bath, story with you cuddled up with him in his big boy bed and then leave him there after a drink from a sippy cup that he can keep at his bedside (water of course). This will make him feel like a big boy. It will be a rough few nights to say the least. I know from experience that weaning an older child, mine was just over one year, is harder on the mom than on the child. You will be sore and engorged for a while but be careful not to stand under a hot shower, all those things that made it easier for you to get your milk to come in will be working against you now. Sometimes ice packs help. Make sure you are ready to quit breastfeeding no one can tell you what is right for you and your baby.
2006-07-26 14:15:55 · answer #3 · answered by G-Mommy 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
How many teeth does he have? Does he already make short sentences? Is he able to say "No!" if you tell him not to do something or tell him TO do something? Have you started potty training him yet? Just trying to figure out at what level of development he is. I would assume he's already out of diapers at 16 months---sorry about that.
Anyway, feed him formula mixed with cereal at night. The Gerber rice cereal or oatmeal was always good with mine.
Nuke--or warm about 6 ounces of 2% milk and put in a bottle. Take the nipple of the bottle and with a pair of nail clippers THAT YOU HAVE FIRST BOILED FOR 10 MINUTES. Then clip a hole just a tad larger than the hole that is already there. Large enough where you think the cereal can get through the nipple. Then mix about one tablespoon of cereal, and 1/4 teaspoon of sugar into the milk, put the lid on the bottle--your thumb over the hole in the nipple, and shake until the cereal mixture is smooth. This bottle will be your cereal bottle. You won't need another one.
Best bed-time weening thing ever invented. They will sleep all night!
2006-07-26 14:16:42 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should stop when your child is exactly 2 years old. It is good if you breastfeed him for four months more. I do know that it is hard to get the child to stop feeding. As mean as this sounds, try getting an aloe vera plant from your nearest grocery store or farmer's market and peel it and rub it on your breast. The bitter taste will get the child to resist it. However, do keep a bottle with you so you can substitute the your milk. If this does not work try another liquid that your child does not like. I don't know if you have and Pak-Indi stores around you, but if you do visit one and get what is called "Safi" (saa-fee). This is also bitter and will do the same. If you don't want to give your child something bitter try, pickle juice. Let me know if you have questions, there are tons of ways to stop breast feeding. But, please keep feeding until he is 2, and not more than that. Start trying things now and limiting the feeding time now, as I see you have (since night time is the only time).
2006-07-26 14:13:58 · answer #5 · answered by hitechmal 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think breastfeeding should stop when it's not longer mutually desirerd. My son stopped at 2 years 4 1/2 months. that was 2 months ago. I'm so glad i did it this way, not a bit of crying or pain for either of us.
2016-03-26 23:49:13 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The first six months are the most important time to breast feed. I broke both my children off at six months and started them on a sippy cup.
By the way, don't listen to people when they tell you to switch to the bottle. That is just some thing else you are going to have to bread them of. A sippy cup they can use up to 3 and 4 years old without looking silly!
2006-07-26 14:09:58 · answer #7 · answered by flyingbumblebee 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
OMG! That was my son totally! He is now 21 months. He finally decided himself one night he didn't want his boobie anymore. I called him over and he shook his head no. I was heartbroken. He will wean himself probably soon. I also went to just at night and he also wouldn't go to bed without it! Don't rush him though or he will end up wanting it more. Just let him do it when he is ready. He will when he is ready to be more independent! Have fun and enjoy the closeness! I now have a 5 month old "boobie boy"!
2006-07-26 14:11:32 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Does he use a sippy cup at all? Try giving him a cup of milk prior to his bedtime while he's playing or after his bath. Then at bedtime just put him to bed with the normal routine except sitting down with him to nurse. He's going to fight it and you'll probably have a battle of the wills but if you decided to get into this with him, it's absolutely 100% necessary for you to win. If possible you might need to have someone else put him to bed for a few nights until the transition is truly made.
2006-07-26 14:22:54 · answer #9 · answered by J 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a mom you have to be strong. Give him the bottle and nothing else cold turkey is the only way. Wear a supportive bra even to bed to help the milk dry up and make sure he only gets the bottle. He will cry and scream but you must be strong about it and insist he takes the bottle. It is hard but you can do it!
2006-07-26 14:09:57 · answer #10 · answered by Diamond Freak :) 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋