Does anyone know how to break a 13mo from breastfeeding?
2007-02-27 01:08:16 · 5 answers · asked by LRCMT 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
I stopped breastfeeding at 13 months.
First pick an absolute stop date, about 3 weeks from now(assuming you are feeding 3 times a day, otherwise 1 wek for every feed you give her per day)
Now prepare yourself mentally for this, it is quite hard especially if tour toddler is not ready to stop.
At hte end of the first week, drop the least favourite feed and substitute with a cup and a cuddle. Don't give in although there will probably be crying.
At the end of the second week, drop the next least favourite feed and replace as before.
Then at the end of the three weeks, drop the last feed and be strong, she will protest and cry, look really pathetic and make you feel so guilty but don't give in.
My daughter was upset for about a week following stopping the last feed, but she soon forgot about feeding and now she doesn't remember at all.
Be strong and good luck!
2007-02-27 01:14:20 · answer #1 · answered by cigaro19 5 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Check with your doctor but I think your daughter is old enough to switch to cow's milk. Start her on it gradually, using a sippy cup and just give her a little at a time. If she doesn't like the cow's milk, try a little diluted juice or whatever you normally give her to drink other than breast milk.
As she gets better at it, gradually eliminate one nursing at a time. Often babies will still want either the last one at night, or sometimes the first one in the morning.
Your milk will gradually dry up as your daughter is nursing less and less, and then there is no harm in still nursing only once a day if you both want to, just as a cuddling time. She won't really be getting much from you at that point but it's OK, it's just for closeness.
Best wishes!
2007-02-27 01:18:24 · answer #2 · answered by mom of 2 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
well, my son is 18 months and we're still working on it. i'm keeping my fingers crossed that we are done with it!
keep in mind that it is going to be different for every child, my son happens to be taking after his father and not wanting to be weaned. do it slowly, is she still waking up at night (i ask because i just got that under control too)? start replacing breast feeding with table foods (or jar foods). feed her food first, and if she doesn't eat enough, then go to the breast. but ALWAYS start with foods first. if you haven't yet - it may be a good time to try some yogurt (yo-baby is a pretty good brand)... my son may toss table food all over, but he always has room for yogurt - it's better than jell-o!
the other thing to remember is that 13 months is not too old for her to still be breastfeeding. la leche suggests you do it longer, and again - it is different based on each child. there are many health benefits for the child if you breast feed for a longer period of time than cutting them off at say, a year. so don't get too frustrated!
i would guess she has teeth at this point and i'm sure that has a lot of influence on you wanting to wean her. i'll give you the same tip i was given and have given out before - when she does bite, as hard as it is, don't push her away. instead, pull her close so that your breast covers her nose as well, obviously don't do it for long as you are making it so she can't breathe. i know it sounds awful, but it definitely works. withing 2 weeks of doing this, my son stopped biting me. what happens is they associate the biting with not being able to breathe easily, not exactly a comfortable feeling - so they stop biting. it also seems to have helped with other biting as well, as i usually just have to tell him "no bite" and he doesn't (i always said "no bite" when he bit me while feeding).
i wish you all the best!
2007-02-27 01:20:15 · answer #3 · answered by Jenessa 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Buy sippy cups (not bottles why start something you will need to stop soon anyway.) and start giving her drinks from them-you can use breast milk at first. Then start slowly putting in half milk half breast milk until you get her on all milk then just start slowly eliminating the breast feedings and give her the cup instead.
2007-02-27 01:14:14 · answer #4 · answered by Amberlyn4 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Just like you break a child from the bottle...you don't give it to her...when she wants to nurse...give her a drink from a sippy cup instead...she will eventually quit asking for it if you are consistent.
2007-02-27 01:14:04 · answer #5 · answered by ticklemeblue 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋