Hello, I would like to wean my 18 month old from breastfeeding. I have gone to the health food stores to see if there is some type of oil I can apply to my nipples to discourage him, something that does not give him the runs or anything like that, but they can only recommend garlic oil. (Not very attractive for me.) I was wondering if anyone has any advice to share?
Thanks so much to all the mamas who responded. I used all of the advice received. But special thanks to Gina D. The bandaids were wonderful. He's been successfully weaned for almost 2 months now. It took a while to get started because he didn't know what a band aid was. So, every time he got a boo-boo, we would keep putting on band aids until he understood what they were for. That took about a month because he kept ripping them off. Once he realized that band aids covered boo boos, then I began putting them on my nipples. The first night was terribly rough. The second night a bit better. By the third night he was empathizing with me and kissed my "boo boos", gave me a hug and went back to sleep. Again, thanks to all you beautifull mamas. And Gina D, special thanks to you!!!
Have you tried cutting out one feeding at a time? Usually that can be done fairly easily using distraction, or by saying "later." Then they forget and move onto something else.
We just weaned our 2 1/2 year old when I became pregnant with our second. Because it was more of a comfort thing than a need for food at that age I was successful using bandaids on my nipples. I told her that mommy has a booboo and she was very receptive to that. Being that they are different ages I don't know how this would work with an 18 month old, but I wish you luck.
I think Gina D's answer was the best! Put a bandaid on each nipple and tell your son that "Momma's got boo-boo's right now." LOL!!! Her daughter took it well, so it worked for them! Actually, I'd just use the art of distraction and try to get him more interested in other foods and drinks if you really feel that you have to wean him right now. I would not use anything bad tasting as a deturent. Good luck.
D. N.
i wouldn't try to wean him by giving him an aversive taste...honesty may be the best policy...just tell him, "now you're a big boy and you can use a cup/bottle"...he may not like the change, but he'll get used to it (life is full of change when you're so little, and it's all hard)
if you really hate the idea of telling him this, maybe now isn't the the time to wean, and you can wait until you're both comfortable with the idea.
hope that helps!
I chose to gradually stop one feeding at a time until we were done. I just offered the cup with soy milk at the feeding time that we didn't do the breast but still held her. I had no problems.
I breast fed my son until 18 months and gradually cut back on feedings by substituting mill I'm a sippy cup instead of breast feeding. My daughter was harder to wean so I put on a minimized bra instead of the nursing bra and said to her that there was no more mommy milk. I had to wear it for a week mainly before bed. It really worked!
I stopped nursing my daughter when she was 18 months as well. At about 17 months we stopped the morning feeding, and at 18 months I stopped saying "it's time to nurse" before bed. A few times she asked to nurse, and then once she stopped asking I knew she was ready to stop altogether. It felt very natural and not traumatic for either of us (though maybe a little sad for me!). As others have said, try to drop the feedings gradually to make it easier on your son and yourself, and communicate with him as needed. Good luck!
Hi A.,
What a wonderful experience you and your son have had for the last 18 months. I wonder if making it a negative for him is the best way to go--it seems that something that has always been a source of security and comfort ought not become something revolting to him. I nursed my kids; the last one was still going at 2 years and needed some encouragement to move away. I stopped the nursing during the day (one by one, not all at once), only doing the morning and evening sessions. She didn't think regular milk was an adequate replacement (although all my others did), so I caved and let her have a very diluted chocolate milk to make the transition. Once the transistion to another source was done, it was easy to remove the morning feeding. I kept the evening a while longer, since that was the most snuggly and meaningful nursing. If you just start phasing it out and you're gently firm about it (even if it means having someone else give him the sippy cup of milk while you disappear for the initial transistion), he'll go along as long as the rest of his routine is solid and comforting. Plus, you'll suffer no engorgement issues by going slowly.
Hi A.,
Congratulations on extended breastfeeding, that's wonderful. I wouldn't suggest putting anything on your nipples, but rather offer your son his milk in a cup, wear clothes that are not conducive to access to the breast, try to distract him if he asks for the breast and be sure to offer plenty of cuddle time before he seems to want to breastfeed. A gradual approach often works best
Good luck!
