what is the best way to stop breastfeeding my baby since he is 15 months?

Question

He eats solid food and drinks cow milk but he still likes to drink my milk and with the teeth he has got breast feeding has become very painfull.

Answer 1

You could work on his latch so that his teeth don't bother you. If he is actively nursing, his tongue should cover his lower teeth and the upper ones shouldn't be too noticable. Work on getting him to open WIDE to latch on and make sure you are supporting his head well. This might help.

I would suggest that if you try to wean, you go slowly to allow a gentler transition for both of you. This will help you to prevent painful engorgement and make the transition easier for baby. You can drop one feeding about every 5 days as long as you aren't feeling engorged. DO NOT wean cold turkey! This can lead to painful engorgement, plugged ducts and mastitis for mom! And it can be traumatic for baby who has found the breast a source of food AND comfort for so long! SLOWLY AND GENTLY.

Distraction, substitution and the "don't offer, don't refuse" techniques all work well at this age. Check out the Kellymom links below for more information.

Answer 2

I have breast fed 4 children and I have stopped as early as 9 months and gone as long as almost 2 years.. each child is different. but If the child bites , it isn't working for me! About weaning.. your body may already be slowing down production of milk , but may not be too.. I would over a weeks time only feed the child once a day or twice if your milk flows, another solution is to get a pump to relieve pressure , but don't fully empty the breast. or have your partner help with relief and stop nursing the child altogether. The greatest benefit is from colostrum right after birth and the first 6 months of mothers milk provide good building blocks for healthy children... at 6 months plus , with all the foods baby can eat , they will be just fine.

Answer 3

I'm sorry breastfeeding has become painful for you. I am currently breastfeeding my 17 month old and also 16 weeks pregnant, so I can totally understand nipple pain. :(

There are many gentle ways to engourage weaning; try the ideas at these links:
http://www.lalecheleague.org/FAQ/weanhowto.html
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/2/T026400.asp
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/weaning/index.html

You may also want to look into ways to make breastfeeding less uncomfortable for you; I know teeth can cause problems, but we managed to work on my son's latch so now the only reason I'm in pain is because I'm pregnant. Here is what worked for me: http://www.kellymom.com/bf/older-baby/biting.html There is a section on that page called "Not really biting, but scraping teeth or indentations". This was our problem much more than actual biting was.

By the way, huge congrats for nusing 15 months! That's awesome. You have given your baby such a precious gift. :-)

Answer 4

Just make sure there is cow's milk available and that your baby is getting a lot of nurturing from you in other ways. If baby prefers your milk, it may be that he wants his cow's milk warmed a little bit. I have heard that the transition has to be made between 15 and 18 months or it becomes harder, so you are right on track timing-wise. These babies are very opinionated!

Answer 5

aww poor baby dont cut it out cold turkey! Try doing it less and less! He's 15 months not 2 months so it will be harder on him bc its more of a bonding more of a feeling secure. You cant just rip that away from him.

Answer 6

just like with a bottle take it away after three days he should be over it. If he wants it give him a sippy instead. Don't worry if he won't drink, wants he is thirsty enough he will take it. Just make sure you give him a little bit of cuddle time so he can still have the security of you.

Answer 7

The hard way. Cold turkey!!! Actually, by that time, I was working full time and nursing only once when I got home from work. By 18 months, we just quit it all together. He may like it, and he may cry some, but offer him something he likes such as a special toy, or some healthy baby snacks when he goes for the chest.

Answer 8

in a calm voice tell him no no more. tell him he drank all the milk and he has to use just a bottle now

Answer 9

Just start doing it less and less. Do it once a day, then once every two days, and so on until he gets used to not drinking it.

Or, just stop all together, it may be easier that way, it may not.

Answer 10

this is true.. it happen to me too. my son was 13 months he use to bit me also..i decided to put instant coffee with a little bit of water and i applied around the nipple and I said to him "look caca" after he saw it he got scared and decided not to breastfeed no more... that stoped it for mines. i guess he got grossed to see a really black nipple for breakfast.. P.S. he didnt taste it.