what is the easiest way to wean a toddler from breast feeding?

Question

I have put myself in quite a spot, I have a 20 month old who associates nursing with sleeping. He will not take a bottle or a pacifier. I have laid in hisbed, on his floor anywhere and he screams bloody murder. Nothing calms him down but nursing. It has become a burden not a joy. What is the least tramatic way to do this, this is my first and need some advice, thanks

Answer 1

we weaned my son (at 22 months) by leaving him with grandma for a weekend! It was a nice break for me and daddy, and a good time for him to bond with grandma. He tried to nurse after I got home, but I jsut distracted him with kisses, toys ect. He eventually fell asleep from exhaustion, and soon stopped trying.

Answer 2

I have three children and I breastfed all three. The first weaned herself when she was about 14 months, the second at 20 months and the third went almost 30 months! It helped that I am a stay-at-home mom! None of my kids ever took a bottle or pacifier. I firmly believe that the child will stop when he is ready to. If you want him to stop, increase the amount of solid food he is getting so he won't be as hungry. The hardest part is listening while they learn to cry themselves to sleep. You are the parent and set the rules. If you no longer want to breastfeed, then stop; do not let the child have the power to force you to keep doing something you don't want to do. It is very hard to listen to your child scream when you know what they want, it just tears at the heart, but as long as you know your child isn't in danger, he won't be harmed. Go through the nighttime routine then lay him in his bed. When he starts crying because he wants to breastfeed, gently tell him no. Then stand at his doorway so he can see he is not being abandoned, and just stay there. As often as you need to tell him that it is bedtime and you love him and goodnight. I know I cried a few times myself when I was doing this, but in not that much time, the kids learned how to put themselves to sleep. I hope this helps.

Answer 3

Does he take a sippy cup? If so, try that with something other than breast milk that he likes to drink (even juice if you have to). After just a couple of nights of that, slowly start adding water to whatever's in the cup so you can gradually switch it to just a cup of water, which won't harm his teeth if he has that at bed time. You may just have to do like you were ripping of a band aid. Fast, and kinda painful. Good luck!

Christy
http://www.polka-dottots.com

Answer 4

It's a toy for him now! He enjoys it so much that of course he doesn't want to give it up. Be firm, let him scream! I realize that's easy to say because the screaming could have you fit to scream too, but, in the long run, once he gets the idea that you're not giving in, he'll wake up to himself. If you have near neighbours and you're worried they'll think you're into child abuse, tell them you're trying to break him of a habit and they can expect to hear from him until he settles into the new arrangement. Get yourself some ear-plugs - it's not child abuse!!

Answer 5

I weaned my 16 month old by replacing the boob with a back stratch. Her face was no longer facing my boob (out of sight out of mind) and she was still getting the one on one time she needed from me. I wouldn't go with a pacifier though, it might be even harder to ween him from that, and it's not good for his teeth, same with the bottle, he's too old. Try a sippy cup with warm milk (the same temp and your breast milk). Good luck!

Answer 6

Well dont keep going back to it, that will just show him that he can get what he wants when he screams for long enough. It may seem traumatic, but it isnt. You are doing the best thing for him.