My baby's 10 months old tomorrow, she just won't go to sleep unless she can comfort-suckle at the breast until she dozes off. She's been exclusively breastfed since birth and that's how she's getting all her milkfeeds now even though she has a good appetite for solids and eats three good meals a day. I get the feeling its going to be very very hard to wean her off because I know she will put up a good fight. It doesn't help that I cannot stand seeing her upset and will be very tempted to give in. Does anyone have any good advice/suggestions?? Or do you think I shouldn't even worry about the weaning issue? I read an article on the LLL site and it seemed to say that babies will wean in their own time and its nothing to worry about. I mean, I don't mind if she's 1 or 2 years old and still asks for it every now and then...but... what if she never wants to wean completely even when she's 3 or 4 ?? What is the best way to wean her off without too much grief??
2007-07-10 08:31:57 · 8 answers · asked by rachiepachie 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
The easiest way to wean baby off the breast it to wait for the baby to be ready. I had one wean at 10 months and the other two at around 15 months.
It's not hard to gradually give up one nursing session at a time. As they get older and more mobile, they get busy-er and seem to forget to nurse. With all three of my kids, the last nursing session to end was the one right before bed.
I helped them along lovingly and gently by first introducing a soft blanket or toy that they always held during that last nursing session before bed. I started nursing in the side-lying position so I wasn't actually holding the child. After a while, I also started singing a very quiet song over and over while they nursed to sleep. And finally, I started introducing a bed-time snack so they wouldn't be as hungry when they started nursing. Mind you, this whole process took months.
Then I just increased the size of the bedtime snack until they really weren't hungry, and we would just cuddle, lying on our sides on their beds, face to face, while I sang the song and they held their soft object.
It was easy with my oldest and youngest (the 15-month ones). My middle child was harder because she elected to give up nursing after I got pregnant wtih her sister. So she wanted to nurse but didn't want my milk any more, and there were some tears every night for a little more than a week before she just quit trying.
2007-07-10 09:01:41 · answer #1 · answered by sparki777 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
In my opinion, it is time to wean when either you or she is no longer comfortable with it, whether that be at 6 months or 4 years. Most Im seeign wean themselves around 2 1/2, they just get too busy. When a mom says she is nursing a 2 year old it, like your daughter, is not ALL they are getting. I am nursing my 14 month old but he only nurses fully twice a day and snacks twice more-some days. If YOU are ready then just cut out one a week, any more and it will be difficult and more painful for you both physically and emotionally.
2007-07-10 08:36:55 · answer #2 · answered by Betsy 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yikes!! Hot sauce? Well, i have breastfed 3 sons and weaned them all around one year. The way that I did it was just to gradually feed them less and less. I started giving them a sippy when they were 9 or 10 months old and my pediatrician gave me the ok to give them whole milk. So, they started getting nutrition from that. I kept them busy during the day and never nursed, only gave them milk in a cup. I got to where the only time I ever nursed was when I was getting ready to lay them down. And I kept it short, like 10 to 15 minutes. Then, I quit nursing before the nap. Instead, I would give them their cup and have them get a good drink before I layed them down. If you have to, let them lay down with the cup although I don't reccomend it because that is a habit you don't want to have to break!! haha Anyway, before long, the only time I nursed was right before bed at night and then I did the same thing that I did with the naps... replaced nursing with a cup. All of my kids quit nursing very easily and it was never a problem. Just do it gradually.. not all at once. Shortening the length that your child does nurse and nursing less and less are the only good ways. And honestly, putting something on your breast is a bad idea. I don't want to be too critical, but who in their right mind told you to put hot sauce on yourself and let your child nurse? That seems cruel... and like you said, obviously didn't work. The word "wean" actually means to do something less and less until you finally stop... not quit all at once. So, take it slow, and be patient. Replace your child's nursing with a sippy and see if that doesn't help.
2016-05-18 21:36:47 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Honestly I think it depends on you. If you are happy to wait until your baby weans herself then just keep listening to her cues. I don't think many babies last until 3-4 and I am sure others will jump on me for that. With my first baby she was exclusively breastfed and weaned at about 11 months with no attempt from me. My second also exclusively breast fed is 11 months and seems content but not overly attached. I think I will definitely continue with her at least her morning and night feeding until she wants to quit. I plan on returning to work in the daytime so will cut out day feedings then. If you really want to wean try to cut down one feeding at a time. The worst will be that night time feeding so really work on getting her to sleep on her own without falling asleep while feeding.
2007-07-10 08:38:43 · answer #4 · answered by Sunburned:( 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I think if you have a good milk supply the best thing you can do is continue offering breast milk for at least another few months- however does it have to come from your breast- not necessarily. Most babies at this age are already starting to use sippy cups. Maybe she will like the novelty of it. Doesn't she drink any juice? What does she drink it in? Consider pumping and getting her used to the cup. The issue is what kind of milk she gets not that she is nursing on your breast. Babies should wean in their own time but you want your body back too eventually.
2007-07-10 09:03:20 · answer #5 · answered by Sweet Tooth 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
The best way to ween her is to do it gradually if she is very attached. First of all you have to stop feeding her before she goes to bed. The best time to stop breastfeeding is one year old b/c she needs to drink cows milk then and if you are still breastfeeding, she may not want the regular milk. Slowly cut down to one breastfeeding a day. Usually leave the night time for last. She will need 3 meals a day and a snack inbetween breakfast and lunch (morning snack) and one before dinner (afternoon snack). Keep reducing her breastfeeding by minutes on each breast until you are down to just the night time feeding. Let some one else put her to bed at this time so she doesn't smell your milk. Get a neighbor, relative, or close friend to do it. And I would let her cry. I know it will be hard, but she has to go to sleep without sucking to sleep. Good luck.
2007-07-10 08:38:45 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
try laying her head as close as possible to your breast with the nipple of the bottle in her mouth and rock her gently with the breast milk in the bottle, sometimes just skin on skin is a comfort, rock her gently as she is picking up your scent also you contradicted yourself, how could she possibly have a good appetite for solids if she has been exclusively breast fed? if she's getting chunks, that's not right. you need to go to the Dr. If you are talking about baby food, then she is not exclusively breast fed. However, try a pacifier for the suckling and just hold her as tight as possible without injuring her until she sleeps.
2007-07-10 08:45:29 · answer #7 · answered by carpathian mage 3 · 1⤊ 4⤋
idk you might want to go ask your doctor
2007-07-10 08:35:02 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋