What is the average age that a child will start to wean on their own? My daughter will be a year old in a few days. I had not planned on weaning her, I want her to initiate it and was hoping to have many more months of nursing. But about the last 4 days in a row she only nurses before her nap or bed. Usually she comes to me throughout the day (I'm stay at home mom) and will nurse 3 or 4 times, not including bedtimes. I'm worried that she is weaning herself too early. I am so full of milk throughout the day I feel like I could burst. I don't know whether I should pump it to keep my supply up in case she changes her mind or if I should just deal with it. Any input from long time breastfeeders?
2007-08-29 10:28:29 · 7 answers · asked by howdesdoit 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
I haven't read the other answers yet, so we'll see if I repeat what's been said already :)
My daughter is almost 17 months and has been nursing for bed time, naps and when she wakes in the morning for a while now. Once solids become more of a factor in their lives, they don't NEED to nurse as often (though some definitely still want to) so it's normal to see this kind of pattern emerge. This sleep associated nursing can continue for years if that's what you would like. Just because she's not nursing 6 times a day doesn't mean she's going to stop any time soon :)
She's also probably an active, curious toddler, so she's far too busy being amazing and learning amazing stuff to be bothered with nursing every two hours, LOL. You can, of course, still offer every few hours, but if she doesn't want it, try not to sweat it.
There are those kiddos who really are done with it way earlier than the moms would like; I have a friend whose son self-weaned at 13.5 months and she was really disappointed. He, though, didn't even want to nurse for bedtime or naps. He was just done with it.
Anyway, I think the key is to offer it if you want, and continue encouraging the naptime and nighttime nursings. Plus, catch her first thing in the morning, while she's still groggy for an early AM nursing. Good luck-
2007-08-29 14:51:38 · answer #1 · answered by Evin 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The average age of self weaning is 2-2.5 years. It's ok if she cuts back. My first cut back to twice at day at 16 months and continued until he was two. At two, he cut down to once a day and nursed another 5 months only once a day. You can still go longer even if it's once or twice a day.
If it's too soon, you can take a baby honeymoon where you spend as much time laying next to each other with skin to skin contact.
Don't stress or pump. If she wants more, she'll nurse more and you'll make more milk: your bodies are in pretty good sync at this point.
Major kudos to you for child-led weaning--it's such an awesome way to go. My first weaned himself by 2.5 years, no tears, no fuss, no drama. I'm currently nursing my second and intend on going that long as well (if he wants!)
2007-08-29 17:42:47 · answer #2 · answered by maegs33 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
2 years of age is a pretty common age for extended breastfed babies to self-wean. Certainly it can and does happen before and after that age.
Sounds like yours is getting ready to wean pretty early!
Another idea is that sometimes bubs will go on a BFing strike for a while if there's been dramatic or (for the bub) traumatic stuff like dad being away from home for a week.
Why don't you pump for a little while, and give her expressed milk in a cup for a while. That'll help keep your supply decent while you wait and see if she wants to step her feeding back up or not, if you're worried about losing your supply.
Personally, I'd just let her wean herself; the whole idea is to let the child lead the weaning, and it sounds like she's decided its time to cut down a lot, and maybe stop (sad though that may be for you).
:)Bronwyn
2007-08-29 20:38:09 · answer #3 · answered by Bronwyn 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That's a perfectly normal time for a child to wean themselves. Some kids never wean themselves, others do it around twelve months, or anytime after really! The first 12 months are the most important for breast feeding, and it isn't really necessary after that. Obviously it is still good for them always. I would just deal with it personally. It is probably an issue of your child growing up, which is sad. The first year goes way too fast. It is hard when they wean, as they no longer seem like babies. I'm not looking forward to when my latest one weans, but she's over 8 months old now, so I am just making the most of the feeds we have left. Enjoy the ones she'll take, but allow her to grow up at her own rate too, it's good for her
2007-08-29 18:16:39 · answer #4 · answered by Mel J 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I suggest that you join the breastfeeding group on yahoo groups. The group is very polite and very knowledgable! I am glad that I joined.
Apparently, your supply will become "as need" only after you hit the 12 month mark. I sure hope it's true!
Good luck with continuing to breastfeed!
2007-08-29 17:36:39 · answer #5 · answered by Sylves 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
1 yr is not to soon to wean. you can't force it if she doesn't want it anyway. most kids are taking a sippy cup at least once or twice a day by now too. you can't let her just change her mind either. that's crazy. you could go back and forth for months. if she's ready to wean, it's fine.
2007-08-29 17:39:30 · answer #6 · answered by racer 51 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
sounds like she's starting to wean herself. I wouldn't pump if I were you, you'd just be postponing the inevitable.
2007-08-29 17:34:28 · answer #7 · answered by a heart so big 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋