Weaning a 15 Month Old

I'm curious as to the reason that you've decided to wean her, especially in light of the fact that she's not all that interested in table food. I noticed that you are looking at a good job opportunity, is that why? I'm just thinking that if there's a reason that she is still nursing as much as she is, then maybe she's not emotionally ready to be weaned. Not only that, but the breastmilk that she is getting is filling the nutritional gaps that she's not getting from table food, so it's important from that perspective as well. My 18 month old is an OK eater, but I know that if I weaned him his health would go down because of nutritional gaps (and baby multivitamins are disgusting... they taste awful and are almost impossible to hide in juice or food), not to mention the loss of antibodies that my milk is still providing. But if you're determined to wean her, I would say go slow, and opt for foods that are nutrient dense, so she doesn't have to eat a whole lot of it. Whole-Milk yogurt or coconut milk fruit smoothies, avocado, dark-meat chcken, things like that. Also, is she still eating babyfood? You might find that she likes finger foods that she eats herself better. I've also noticed that my son likes to be involved at dinner... in a booster seat with a plate, silverware, sitting right up at the table with us. If she's not used to that setting, it may take some time for her to stop playing and start eating, but it will happen. Good luck with whatever you decide to do!

From my experience babies this age don't eat table food because they don't need to. If they are nursing enough they feel no need. The only way to get past it is if you start putting her in a highchair beside the table any time you and your family are eating. Try easy things like Cheerios and yogurt bites (in the baby food isle), any finger foods should be fine. At this point it's not about getting her to take everything that she needs it's to help her realize there's another way to eat. After a few days of this you should start seeing a difference but you do have to be patient and firm. You may have to leave the table and you do have to refuse the breast during meal/snack times.

HTH

I've not encountered this. Have you checked with your pediatrician? You mentioned table food. Will she still eat baby food? If so, give her that while you wean. If only taking a few bites before stopping, you really should talk to the doctor. Maybe there is an issue with chewing or gag reflex. Good luck!

Wow great job nursing for so long I was able to nurse my daughter for 14 mos but she had completely weaned herself, and wanted more table foods. It sounds like you might still be offering babyfod, my daughter didnt like baby food that much and at this age Im sure she would rather eat by herself, Nutritional things that are east to start with include boiled sweetpotato cubed, banana I slice in half and then cut in sections but u can cut smaller since your baby might not be used to solid foods, I have introduced egg becareful if any 1 in your family has an allergy to it but should be fine, small pieces of chicken, broccoli cooked until soft ( I add shredded cheese while its still hot and it melts all together) I cut up cheese sandwhiches, almost any fruit cut up is fine. What I would do is start setting up a regular routine of meal times and dont make a big deal when your 3 yr old is having lunch sit her in highchair or booster and serve her meal too, You should be close enough to make sure everything is ok but it might be helpful if you are not right there to remind her that she isnt nursing. Id keep up with morning and evening if youd like, but start offering whole milk in a sippy or bottle if she will take it, I warm the milk so it seems more like warm breast milk or you could always pump and give it in a cup and slowly mix in cows or soy milk. If your baby seems like they like to just snack on you offer something differrent at the time a small cup of juice a cracker distract with a toy. Leave the room if you have to, I dont think its wrong to start weaning, if you are ready to stop thats your choice you did a great job so far, I wouldnt worry about a little weight loss at this age its normal to thin out b/c they are starting to be so active! Remember since yur daughter is used to having breast milk as a meal her belly will hold less food. you may have to offer more frequent small meals until her stomach is accostumed to solids, also dont just offer the breast when she acts hungry make food her 1st option and then a cup of some liquid after she eats. Good luck!!!

At 15 months old, I'd expect she'd be down to "good-night" &/or "good morning" nursings. But, it sounds like nursing is her main source of nutrition... Well, first of all, congratulations for nursing so long. Now, second, maybe I can help you come up with some ideas for weaning her.

I would keep on offering finger foods to her. If I am understanding your post correctly, it seems your 15-month-old is just a little late doing all this so I'd just do the things you did with the three-year-old when you were introducing him to food. Like just hand your "baby" a zwiebak and walk away. So, he/she doesn't get the opportunity to balk. I guess, eventually, you're going to have to stop nursing as often. Hunger alone will make him/her eat!

You can always call your pediatrician for advice.

Also, I found these:
http://www.parentingweb.com/lounge/ext_nursepage.htm

http://parenting.ivillage.com/tp/tpweaning/0,,3wzb,00.html

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/weaning/momstories/toddlers_do...

If she's taking a bottle, run nipple under hot water each time before you give it to her. Put her a plate of food on the table, high chair, then IGNORE her. If she eats, ok; if not, ok. She won't starve. A few days of this will change her attitude (I had to do it to my son).