Trying to Wean My 8 Month Old off of the Breast.

Have you tired giving a warm bath, with Jhonson's sleeping shampoo? Try it cause it worked for my grandchildren!!
Good Luck.
S. Q.

Hi B.! I completely agree with what the others have said. One addition, nursing your child is more than a form of feeding, it fills emotional needs in the form of security. I think the fact that she is not falling to sleep with the bottle demonstrates that. Ok she has food but she now really needs mama (skin-to-skin contact). Culturally, we see weaning as a quick event when in reality weaning quickly can be very stressful both physically and emotionally for both mom and especially baby. In addition, we see weaning as something that needs to happen sooner than later. When in reality a child's need for the security of her mama doesn't go away for a long time. Gradual weaning takes time but it significantly lessens stress to both sides. Thus, another responders idea of half-bottle (feed her), half breast (fulfill her emotional needs).

One thing, if you choose to do this more slowly, think of ways to replace the comfort she receives while nursing. For example, when I was at the end of weaning my first daughter, I would nurse her for a short amount of time before she went to bed all the while she would stroke my bare belly. Then, I would unlatch her and would allow her to continue to rubbing my bare belly until she fell asleep. Eventually, it turned to her only rubbing my bare belly until she was asleep. She did that for a couple of months. Still to this day when she needs some security she will come and find some bare skin on my arm, face, belly and stroke me for awhile.

Best of luck!

Trying to make a major change like weaning while a child is teething is very hard on the child. If you really want to do this, one of the best things you can do is try doing half bottle feeding, half nursing. Start by giving her half of what you would in a bottle, then finish with nursing. This way she will nurse half the time, since she will not be as hungry. Over a week or two give her more in the bottle and then she will nurse less and less.

To stop her from biting you--as soon as she does and say no biting--remove her from your breast--and don't let her back on for a minute. If she bites you again--remove her say no biting--don't let her on for a minute. If she bites you a third time stop the feeding and give her a bottle. She will learn to stop biting you if you remove her immediately when she bites you a few times. She is old enough to learn this.

I have had six children and all of them were breast fed. I did have problems with my third (a daughter) who I breast bed till she was 11m. She would scream and cry hystericly if I din't feed her. It was mainly when she was tired. Then I'd give in, she'd feed for about 10 min and fall asleep. I eventually refused after about 2m of fighting her and gave her a sippy cup instead. She is 9 now and my husband and I believe that the battle we had w/her over this has turned into a "drama queen" if she doesn't get her way. We've had to be admemit w/her and don't bend to he wishes. This has helped.
Good luck. Your relationship w/your daughter is important and I hope all goes well.

I am the mother of 3 and have found that cold turkey seems to work best. I thought it'd be really hard at first, but after a day or two, they really don't care. I find it's harder on me. When I would get so engorged I would just go in in the middle of the night and let my baby nurse while still kind of asleep...like a good dream for them! I've also found that putting cabbage leaves on your breasts when you're engorged helps a ton...I know it sounds weird, but a nurse told me to do it...and it worked! Good luck.

I agree that it is healthy physically and emotionally to let a baby nurse up to one year. Developmentally a baby thinks of it's mother as and actual physical extension of itself until about nine months, after which, this congnitive process starts to fade. By twelve months, they understand that individuals, including mom are seperate from themselves, physically and mentally. However, I never think a mother should respond to situations with guilt or pressure. Many mothers have to wean for physical, emotional, or situational reasons and should never be made to feel guilty about this decision. You should be proud that you have nursed your baby. Period.
As for weaning (b/c whether you do it now, later, quickly, or slowly, you WILL eventually do it), the best thing I ever did was to avoid any usual nursing spots or positions as I offered my child the alternative (i.e. a cup of water, a time of cuddling, holding, or whatever). This way the child will view this as a new activity taking the place of the old one, instead of being a bit confused wondering why what usually happens in that spot or position (nursing) is no longer happening. The emotional connectons will be easier to replace. So, for instance, with my first baby I offered him a cup of water, time with me, bedtime story, etc. on my living room couch, instead of the rocking chair in his room (which was our usual nursing spot), until he was comfortable with things. We eventally got back to the rocking chair (which was the ideal place for a bedtime routine) but not until he was completely comfortable and weaned. GOOD LUCK! Whatever you do...YOU CAN DO IT and BABY CAN HANDLE IT!!

Check out this sight it has some good ideas and doesn't require you to let your baby cry it out, fuu a little but not cry.............

http://www.lovegevity.com/parenting/mother/baby_wakes.html

Good Luck.

I think first I would be curious to ask this question... if she were not biting and nursing was going well how long had you hoped to nurse her? If it was longer than 8 months then you can work through the biting with a few changes. If you are happy with the amount of time you have gotten out of nursing then you should feel EXTREMELY proud and satisfied with the amount of time you have nursed and bonded with your daughter! Good for you for keeping it up and doing so well this long.
I just joined this site, so not sure how communication works, but if you want to chat more about it I am more than happy to. This needs to be a positive change for both you and your baby. Whichever way you go.

V.
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(I live in Colorado as well)