Does anyone have any GOOD tips/ methods on how to take my son off the breast?

Question

My son has had nothing other than the breast since birth other than for water. He seems to ABSOLUTELY need it to go to sleep. He is almost 6 months old and already has teeth that he doesn't mind using when he gets angry / fussy and I just need to switch things a little... I'm just not to sure how to, if it's the right time to... I don't want to do anything with my child that I shouldn't do or do it at the wrong time!!! Any suggestions?¿?¿?

Answer 1

Biting during feedings is no fun! I have six children, all breastfed, and all of them nipped me at some point in time or another. It's really fairly simple to deal with the problem, though, and does not have to mean it's time to wean (unless, of course, you're ready to for other reasons). Nursing babies CANNOT bite you while they are actively suckling-- their tongue is wrapped around your areola and they will bite themselves. Therefore, when baby enters a biting phase it is vital that you watch them closely while they are feeding. Once they slow down their active suck-swallow pattern, it's time to switch breasts, or end the feeding if you've already switched once or twice. You will prevent almost all biting if you just watch closely.

If you do get bitten anyway, try not to yelp or shout, or react too dramatically. Trust me-- I *know* this is easier said than done! But it's best to remain calm, take the baby off the breast matter-of-factly, and set them on the floor, saying a simple phrase like "biting hurts!" or "we don't bite mommy!" They will cry because thier feeding has been interrupted, but in a minute or so you can pick them back up again, repeat your "no biting" phrase, and put them back to the breast, watching carefully. If you see the baby looking like they might bite again, repeat. In my experience, it doesn't take very many times of repeating this (maybe a few feedings up to a few days) before the baby really seems to understand.

Several of my children had teeth at 4 & 5 months, so I had to do this with some very young babies, as well as when they go through this stage later, as they become toddlers. Also, dealing with it at a young age doesn't mean it will never come 'round again. I found it to be a phase that came and went with teething, starting solids, and other milestones. It just needs to be retaught (or refreshed, as they get older and might actually remember the last time they went through this phase).

Congratulations on breastfeeding for six months! You've already given your baby a wonderful start, and I hope you're able to continue as long as you both want to. Best of luck!

Answer 2

Laundry Girl and Hypermama both have good points. I've done a similar method to the "no biting" warning with both my DD's and it really does help. Also, with my younger DD, she had the habit of clamping her jaws together just after she fell asleep. Once I figured that out, I was able to watch for her to drop off and break suction then to avoid the bite.

If you feel like continuing BFing even through teeth here are some supportive articles:

http://breastfeeding.hypermart.net/nursetoddler.html

http://www.kathydettwyler.org/dettwyler.html

http://tinyurl.com/2qhat4

If you have other reasons in addition that you want to wean the generally advised way is gradually, by offering other foods, one feeding at a time.

Answer 3

He ABSOLUTLY needs it to sleep? I am sure he will sleep if he is tired, breast or not. If you think it is the right time to wean, then it is the right time. Don't believe everything Freud tells us. If your son ends up in therapy when he is thirty because you took him off the breast at 6 months, then thank god he doens't have more serious issues :) I am sure you don't want to "do anything wrong" but when it comes to parenting, as long as you are not abusing or neglecting, it isn't black and white. Do what feels best for you and baby. If he refuses to eat anything other than breast milk or water, consult your pediatrician on alternatives. And don't forget the pump. There will be no biting you this way and he can still have your milk.

Answer 4

I know this sounds horrible, but the first time my son bit me it was over! LOL them little teeth hurt! He was a bit older than that when I finally got him completely weaned but I started as soon as I felt those teeth. I started by giving him pumped milk, of course. I tried the playtex nurser bottles since they are supposed to be more like the breast but my child seemed to prefer the other type better. If he has already had a bottle (you said he had already had water) then it should be no problem getting him started. He is also old enough for baby food! Let the baby experiment a little....Good Luck!

Answer 5

OK, here are my thoughts. If daddy is around and willing to help, ask him to take over bedtime. That way your son will learn another way to go to sleep, and he and daddy get some special bonding in. Another thing to do when he gets "nippy" is to actually pull him IN to your breast. He won't be able to breathe, and then will let go of the nipple. If you react by shouting or yelping, you may cause a nursing strike, which will make you uncomfortable. If you are willing to, try to hold off weaning for another 6 months.

Answer 6

OK, no clue what the first answerer is saying. I would try introducing a bottle in the evening...my son was primarily breastfed except for one or two 4 oz. bottles a day, depending on what we had going on. He was usually very hungry early evening, when my milk production was at it's lowest, plus Daddy was home, so this worked out well for us. My daughter on the other hand refused to take a bottle till she was 8 months old, and we celebrated by going out to dinner for 3 hours on our first romantic date in ages! LOL. Good luck, there is no one right way to do something,so just try things, and be gradual about it....

Answer 7

Weaning him now would be silly. He still needs your milk for AT LEAST six more months (preferably 18.) You would have to give him formula, which is expensive and causes tummy troubles and stinky poop.

There is nothing wrong with a baby nursing to sleep. At least you know his tummy is full!-)
Before you consider weaning please try teaching him nursing manners so he will not bite you. http://www.kellymom.com/bf/older-baby/nursing-manners.html

Second: read the book "The No-Cry Sleep Solution" by Elizabeth Pantley.

Third, you might want to try this technique in a few months:
http://www.drjaygordon.com/development/ap/sleep.asp

Here are some good links to baby sleep: http://www.askdrsears.com/html/7/T070300.asp

http://www.askdrsears.com/html/7/T070100.asp

Answer 8

Welcome to mommyhood. Now that your baby has teeth, it's probably time to wean him off the breast. That is not to say that you need get him off breast milk. You need to invest in a breast pump. You can pump milk and give it to him in the bottle. You don't have to do it cold turkey. You can start limiting the amount of times a day that he feed. Maybe give him the breast before bed and after breakfast then the rest of the day give him a bottle of breast milk. If you aren't sure about anything, he should have a check up coming up. Talk to your doctor. See if he/she thinks it's time to start weaning. He/She can help you with resources to start weaning him. Good luck!

Answer 9

Just give him a bottle with breast milk in it.

Answer 10

He's a cutie. 360.