Good way to wean from breastfeeding?

Question

My friend is weaning her son he is like 18 months old, kinda too far for me but of course its everyone's choice when they do it. Anyway, her method is telling him her breast is yucky, dirty and nasty to discourage his interest in it, which I think is the dumbest thing I ever heard! What a way to get a little boy started...thing is I dont have another suggestion for her, do you?

Answer 1

It's called "don't offer, don't refuse." I'm not weaning and this is what I do. Mine is 16 months, and come to think of it, I sometimes refuse. Your friend's little boy still needs the comfort of nursing. It makes me sad that she tells her son that her breast is nasty. It would be great if you could find a way to help her wean gradually and with dignity. Try this website: www.askdrsears.com

Answer 2

Natural Weaning from Breastfeeding. Eliminate 1 feeding at a time, should take 5-7 days per feeding. (It may take a while, but it is the best way. You can pump during this time to make it faster and easier.)

Answer 3

The key to healthy weaning is doing it gradually. Remember, you are helping your child into a new stage of development, not forcing him into it. This is not the time for you and your husband to go on a week-long vacation to the Bajamas. Weaning by desertion is traumatic and may backfire. The following are suggestions for gradually weaning your child:

Start by skipping a least favorite feeding, such as in the middle of the day. Instead, engage in a fun activity together, such as reading a book or playing a game. Nap and night nursings are favorite feedings and will probably be the last to go.
Minimize situations that induce breastfeeding, such as sitting in a rocking chair or cradling baby. If you put baby in a familiar breastfeeding setting, he will want to breastfeed.
Use the "don't offer, don't refuse" method. Don't go out of your way to remind her to nurse. However, if your child persists, or her behavior deteriorates, this may indicate that breastfeeding is still a need rather than a want. Watch your child and trust your intuition.
Become a moving target. Don't sit down in one place for any length of time. But, remember, weaning means releasing, not rejecting. Breastfeeding helps the child venture from the known to the unknown. If you don't let your child make brief pit stops, he may insist on lengthy feedings when he finally gets you to sit down. Checking into homebase and refueling reassures him that it's okay to explore his environment, and gives him the emotional boost to venture out. Rejecting this need could developmentally cripple your child.
Keep baby busy. Nothing triggers the desire to breastfeed like boredom. Sing songs, read books, or go on an outing together.
Set limits. Putting limits on nursing, such as: "We only nurse when Mr. Sun goes down and when Mr. Sun comes up" does not make you a bad parent.
Don't wean baby from you to an object, such as a stuffed animal or blanket. Ideally, you want to wean baby from your breast to an alternative source of emotional nourishment. This is when dad should begin to take on a more involved role in comforting. As dad's role in baby's life becomes bigger, nursing will be less important.
Expect breastfeeding to increase during times of illness. These are times when your child needs comfort and an immune system boost.
Life is a series of weanings for a child: weaning from your womb, your breast, your bed, and your home. The pace at which children wean go from oneness to separateness is different for every child, and this should be respected. In our experience, the most secure, independent, and happy children are those who have not been weaned before their time.