Any ideas on how to wean a baby from the breast and it not make her upset or anything?

Question

Ive been trying to wean my 15 month old from the breast and all it does is cause her to scream. Im trying to find a easier way if there is one?

she only does it to sleep at night. during the day she uses a cup.

Answer 1

you pose your question in a very loving way - you are a mommy who is empathic with your child and already understands that she is a person with her own needs, wants, preferences, habits. so, can you wean her and not upset her? as you've written here, your baby is telling you what she thinks about your desire to wean her.

in nature, she would still have about 4 years left to nurse. biologically, evolutionarily, emotionally, she still has the need for that much nursing. she will benefit by continued nursing and she will be harmed by the cessation of nursing. your mothering will be so much easier if you nurse through the toddler years.


(She has also benefitted tremendously from nursing this long and bravo to you for this loving choice.)

when she is sick, that nighttime nursing might be the only thing she'll take to rehydrate. when she is having an emotional or cognitive growth spurt, she'll make that milk give her the added nutrition she needs to support her growth. And every baby evolved to fall asleep in mommy's arms.

The whole crib alone in the dark thing is absurd, very new in human experience, and completely counter to a baby's nervous system. When baby is apart from mommy, her brain floods with stress hormones that impair learning and increase risk for depression and anxiety disorders.



She still needs and wants to nurse. She still needs and wants to be with you 24/7. It's what she needs to grow best, emotionally, intellectually, and physically. Because she has not learned about 'realities' that push peoples behaviors willingly or unwillingly in directions not driven solely by the inner knowledge of what's best, she will always be upset at not being allowed to choose when to wean.

I support her in her choice for continuing the awesome connection, nutrition, and health shield nursing gives her. i admire her skill in making her feelings known and yours in acknowledging them. there will be many times in life when we parents upset our children. let those times always be for their best growth and development and, if we can't avoid upsetting them in a way that really matters, than let us acknowledge their hurt and pain and loss.

in other words, let's treat our children as we'd like to be treated.
Source(s):
http://www.naturalchild.org

Answer 2

Gradually dose it. Never feed when baby is too hungry or thirsty. start skipping one feed per week during the day until you only feed at night and morning. then cut out the morning feed until snack time substituting with a solid breakfast and a drink from a cup. (reducing the time and amount of the day feed per day)Leave the last feed for a while especially if this is how your little one falls to sleep. Start reducing the time and amount. Rubbing his/her ear or rocking till they fall asleep. Eventually they will fall asleep alone or with with some soft music. Don't let your baby get over tired. When weaning it is the comfort the baby wants so lots of cuddles and games. Go easy on your brests too because if it's too sudden it will hurt if done slowly you won't need it. break the dependancy slowly. Give it a month at least. The less your baby demands the less milk you will produce.

Answer 3

I was told that when I was a baby I nursed my mom for 16 months ,and it was very hard to wean me b/c at that age baby's can tell you what they want and if you don't listen they throw a fit .Ialso nursed my middle daughter but only till 11 months,and she just gradually forgot about it after each time I would nurse her it would be for a shorter period of time AND less nursing times through out the day,and I took her to the park close by our house,and she loves the park.I also take her in our back yard to play in the sand box,and run around in the yard playing ball with her,that way she would be more thirsty for cold juice or water and would fill up that way .Then she just would be demanding more outside time each time I took her out.In your case it might work to take her outside and play and offer her cold water or cold juice,but it's hard to say exsactly because I don't know if you live ,where it's cold or warm?but thats my story any way...
Good luck to you .

Answer 4

The biggest thing is remaining consistant.
At this age she is old enough to understand most of what you are saying.
Find other ways to calm her and play with her.
Start slowly only stop nursing during the day and then slowly wean off the night time nursings as well.

Good luck!

Answer 5

I weaned my baby at 5 months and how I did it was take away one breastfeeding a day and replace it with formula-in your daughter's case it should be whole milk.When they turn 1 they need to be drinking 16 to 24 ounces of whole milk a day.She needs the fats and calcium from it.

Answer 6

Sleep in a sports bra under your night wear if she sleeps in bed with you. Worked for me. and have a bottle of water on the nightstand ready if that doesn't work give her a bottle with milk that may help but shes gonna scream to see how and when you will give in. Hang in there. Good Luck

Answer 7

Have you tried breast milk in a cup? With you holding her? Don't know for sure if that will help, but it's an idea. Other than that, I agree, it just takes time.

Answer 8

Not really. Weanig is unpleasant for both of you, but you have to get through it.

Try distracting her with favroite foods and drinks instead of letting her have the breast. Giving in only makes it harder.

Answer 9

it's difficult at first, but with time, she'll get used to it. Have you tried alternating between bottle and breast and then doing more bottle , less breast and then only bottle?

Answer 10

i know this sounds strange but have you tried to feed her with breast milk in a bottle then slowly change the milk over to which ever milk you wish her to have plus she should get used to you not having to comfort her who ever has the bottle should beable to, hope this helps