Breastfeeding Question - Mesa,AZ

Hi S.,

I just went through that with my 15 month old daughter, who was incredibly attached. I had to do it over a month and a half. First, I made 4 clear (and consistant) times that she nursed, then cut down one by one and distracted her or put her down for her nap, depending on the time. I left the bed time one for last and kept it for a few weeks. Then I would make sure she was very tired, by doing some very fun and active things during the day. Finally, after her bath, we went on a 5 minute drive, then I just put her in bed with a sippy cup of water.

The first two nights went really well, but the third she realized what was happening and I had to let her fuss for 5 minutes before she slept. On the 4th night, she was pretty used to going to sleep with only a sippy cup of water.

Occassionally, she still will want to nurse, especially if she is laying right next to me or is really tired. Distraction and a small explanation has worked the best for me.

Good luck!

K.

Hi S.,

I would suggest making weaning a slow process. Drop out one feeding every few days until it tapers down to nothing. I really love the book, How Weaning Happens for mothers with your question.

Hope that helps!

S.

Hi S.- how is this going for you- it looks like it has been a coupe of weeks since you first tried- Is it working? If not- go out of town, 3-4 days does the trick. Its the best way- Like another mom said- out of sight, out of mind. Thats what I did when I weaned my first. When I came home he didn't even know what they were for. The more anxious you are about it, the more they will sense that. Have your husband replace nursing with a bottle of warm milk, or a sippy cup, whatever he prefers- but if you are gone, A. you can't see if he is upset, so it is easier for your milk to dry up and B. You won't be tempted to cave in to his tantrums about wanting to nurse. Good luck!!!! I hope it is going well for you so far though!!!

Hi S.! :) My name is M. and I just got my 18 month old off the breast a few weeks ago. Granted he still pulls at my shirt every chance he gets but at least he's not latching on anymore. The only advice I can give is to stop it cold turkey. I tried to wean him off little by little but that was still just not cutting it. Usually I nurse my kids down to sleep. That's just how I could get them calm enough to nod off. And David still sleeps with me so that was hard. (My husband is deployed to Iraq right now so I can get away with it.) ;) But one day after he bit me really hard I said enough is enough! And I refused to give it to him. I would still lay down with him but I would wear a shirt that had a high collar and tuck it in so he couldn't find a way in. It was hard because he was so miserable that first day. But after the initial 24 hours, he finally realized it wasn't going to happen anymore. I warm up milk for him and put it in a sippy cup or bottle for him when it's getting close to nap or bed time. He'll drink it and then be ready to sleep. Just pick a routine that is for you and your baby boy and stick to it. Really stick to it. Once you start you can't go back. Don't have the little ones suffer just to start at square one again. My son will still try to find his way in to my shirt, but luckily, having nursed 2 others before, I know that habit will fade. At least it better fade or I'm going to have to stop letting him near my chest altogether! lol.
The other day he actually got in to my shirt while I was reading to him and didn't realize it at first. He got a hold of it and he started laughing and screaming cuz he was so happy. lol. I thought that was hilarious. I had to pull his arm out and tickle the heck out of him. :)
Anyhow, good luck with your baby boy!! I hope you are able to get it done with fewer cries than I did. ~M.

p.s. - I almost forgot, once you stop, don't even let him see them AT ALL. Careful when you're dressing. ~Out of sight, out of mind~

I know this sounds totally crazy. I am a hairdresser and one of my cients was telling me about a friend who put a band-aid on each nipple and tell the child that mommy has a boo-boo. My daughter was 2 1/2 and when I got home I did exactly what my client said. It worked. I left the band -aids on for 3 days thats how long they say it takes a child to get over a habit. I do have to say my daughter was a little older and she was so upset I had a boo-boo. she would kiss me every time she saw them. My first daughter on her first birthday just decided she didn't want anything to do with it anymore. good luck, M.

Try to get him down to one or two times a day maybe before nap and bed time. Then only nurse as long as it takes to sing twinkle twinkle little star on both sides. Depending on how you feel you can make it as slow or as fast a song as you like. he may not be happy at first but he will get it. Also don't offer breast feeding as a choice. if he asks then you can say ok but if he doesn't then don't remind him. I did this with my son and it take about a month to be completely done but it was pretty painless for both of us!