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Weaning from Breastfeeding

How to wean from breastfeeding

Weaning from breastfeeding’ is the process of stopping feeding your baby with breast milk. Ideally, Weaning is a normal developmental stage for your baby.

Weaning from breastfeeding

A few days back, I received a call from my friend asking, Akkie “give me some tips to wean” She asked me to write about this and of course, this gave me the urge to jot my answer down here. So, here I am with my experience while I was on the weaning journey.

There is nothing more special than breastfeeding your baby, but there comes a time when you need to get a few restful nights. It could bring a few bittersweet moments initially. You may miss this special time spend bonding with your Little one in the wee hours so, keep your mobile off, no TV, no other distraction, just you and your baby, because it’s a very special moment.

Anything can work for your Lil one, but you have to be a little patient. Some toddlers wean themselves but for some, sometimes it’s your call to nix the nurse. After all, all good things must come to end, including breastfeeding your toddler.

Whenever you start to think to wean, Be gentle to yourself and your child. It’s a major physical, hormonal, and emotional change for both of you, so do it with thought and consideration. It can be a bittersweet moment.

Weaning from breastfeeding

It could be devastating for the baby and mom to quit breastfeeding unexpectedly. It could cause clogged milk ducts, Engorgement, and even lead to mastitis as well as being a sudden change for your baby’s digestive and immune systems to cope with. You can check about Mastitis in my post (Link here).

1.Talk about weaning with your toddler

Even if your child is barely talking to herself, she may be able to grasp what’s going to happen and react to a clear explanation. Tell her why it’s time for breastfeeding to end, in a language you know she understands (and you know your child better than anyone). Tell her that she is going to be a big kid now, and now you don’t have to nurse. As this is a very emotional aspect, reassure her that the two of you are going to continue to snuggle together. Make a list of few things you both would be doing at that time, such as playing games, reading books, play with their favorite toy. In this way She’ll understand that you’re not leaving her— you’re only saying goodbye to nursing. The end of breastfeeding can be a deeply emotional transition for mother and child.

2. Read books about weaning to prepare your toddler

Books like “Loving Comfort” and “A Time to Wean” is a picture book for babies and toddlers who are weaning from nursing. These books address the psychological aspect of weaning.

Loving Comfort”:(here) A Toddler Weaning Story” (Book by Julie Dillemuth)” is about the life of a nursing relationship for a mother and her son, with beautiful illustrations. A Time to Wean(here) Follow favorite animals as they grow, discover new things, and nurse less. All with the comfort and reassurance that love & hugs from mamma never change. Try to read these storybooks before bedtime. You can choose books as per your child’s interests.

3. Seek help from Family Members

Babies tend to smell the mother and so they would just act stubborn, and will not take supplement milk, now this is the time when dad or granny can extend a helping hand.

4. Change the Spot

If you are breastfeeding a child in a particular corner or room, during bottle feeding, change the spot.

5. Self-Feed

Encourage your child to try to feed herself. She’ll show interest in holding the spoon and tasting her food over time. This serves as an excellent motivation for her to eat. It is one of the ways your child develops fine motor skills like learning to hold a spoon.

I did the same with my daughter, she made a mess earlier while eating by herself, be patient, if it happens don’t make a fuss about it rather you keep the camera handy to catch the funny side of this feeding stage rather than making a fuss about it. Though it was painful to see the mess all around her, knowing it was going to take hours to clean up, that helped me in weaning in the end.

6. Plan Distraction

En-route diversions can make your weaning journey comfortable and cheerful. You may occasionally give her a favourite snack when she begins to cry, take out a special toy to play with, or head outside for a walk.

7. Substitute with loads of affection

There is a built-in baby bonding time for breastfeeding. That is one of the biggest reasons for many toddlers to refuse to leave it behind. Just because breastfeeding is coming to an end, tell your little one that it doesn’t mean there’s going to be any less love to go around. A weaning child needs a lot of love and support in another way. Stay on your feet! Going heavy on cuddles and kisses during the weaning process, particularly during the times of the day when she was most dependent on breastfeeding.

8. Stop nursing her before sleep

If breastfeeding is being used by your toddler to fall asleep at night, avoid this practice at the right time. Try to nurse her earlier in the evening and substitute her favourite snack, and a cup of milk, stories, songs for the bedtime routine. It’s easier to turn over your partner or granny’s bedtime duties.

Sometimes kids ask for a nurse when they are bored – Distract them before they ask.

Ideal weaning foods

Start with foods that are slightly soft inconsistency.

  • Mashed banana is top weaning food as it is sweet, easy to swallow, and digest.
  • Babies also like mild foods such as rice cereal, pureed carrots, and cooked apples.

Once your baby is familiar with the taste of these and her tummy is happy with them, you can mix two vegetables or fruits and give them to her.

My experiences with both kids were different. When I was trying to wean with my elder one, we bought varieties of sipper with his favourite caricature, and offered him, as we read stories to him. He would take little sips for fun and that helped him get used to it. I also started giving him the cup of milk while we were winding down for the evening before bed, in hopes that he will be full than usual to make it easy. This was not the same as my younger child. she eventually weaned herself, unlike the elder.

This was my personal experience, and it’s not going to be the same for you. I would love to hear about your weaning experience, so please feel welcome to share your own experience. Happy Reading.

You will also love to read:  Thumb Sucking Habit in Kids

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About Author

I am an energetic mom of two kids, still learning the ropes of it. I am so excited to start writing about tips, tricks, and advice on things of everyday life.

(40) Comments

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  2. You can definitely see your enthusiasm in the work you write. The world hopes for even more passionate writers like you who are not afraid to say how they believe. Always follow your heart.

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  4. Definitely, what a magnificent site and revealing posts, I surely will bookmark your blog.All the Best!

    1. All your pointers are helpful. Distraction plan, self feed are great ideas .

  5. I cannot thank you enough for the blog.Thanks Again.

  6. I think this is a real great article post.Really thank you! Awesome.

  7. Wow that was strange. I just wrote an really long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t show up. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyway, just wanted to say excellent blog!|

  8. Weaning is a challenge to many moms. Luckily I haven’t gone through it. But I will keep your article in mind if I need to share it with any new mom.

  9. Weaning is one of the milestones in the parenting journey, it can be tough for some Moms. This article is very useful for new moms will share with a few I know.

  10. Weaning can be a real challenge,and more so if it is delayed. You have provided some valuable guidelines, that would be very useful to moms faced with this dilemma.

  11. I found this post to be quite informative and learned a few things which I am not aware of. Keep sharing such informative post.

  12. I so needed to read this as I am in the stage of weaning ny toddler. Thank you for an insightful article that would help me with this journey

    1. Many new mom’s face this issue .. Thanks for sharing this post .it’s too informative.

  13. This is one thing I wasn’t able to experience given I had 2 beautiful daughters. This topic and article is really an informative one to every mom going through the same phase in their breastfeeding.

  14. I love your writing style. You carry forward points with so much discreteness. Glad to read your content. ????

  15. This information is invaluable. When can I find out more?

  16. The information shared is of top quality which has to get appreciated at all levels. Well done…

  17. Wonderful wealth of knowledge you have created for many new moms. I had also written about breastfeeding and my experiences. I will link your article there and hope many moms get more value. Thanks for sharing.

    1. Yeah, sure, dear…we are here to help new moms. I will definitely be going to read your breastfeeding post. Do share your link.

  18. That is one of the most important topic that you have covered in this post and many look for the answer. But what I feel is that a new mother in a natural way adapt her own style of weaning breastfeeding and no two styles can be same and no two mothers are the same.

  19. Kaveri Chhetri says:

    Your post took me back to many years ago Anjali. It brought back so many memories😊. We all have our own stories, thankfully weaning both my kids happened quite naturally, I didn’t have to resort to any means or methods but I know it can be traumatic too for both the mom n the child. In that regard, your post is really helpful… a much needed one at that.

  20. Weaning can be challenging. You have shared some really practical tips. It is good to know that there are now books to help a mother in weaning her child.

  21. Weaning can be challenging. You have shared some really practical tips. It is good to know that there are now books to help a moth and child wean.

  22. The is such a beautiful post, especially the way you have put up everything is so understandable. Its a very useful post.

  23. Good tips for new moms but as you yourself shared, each baby has his/her own ways to do it and it is a challenge for the mom to make it as easy as possible.

  24. I had no idea about weaning… But your post is really helpful… I got to know many things…

  25. I’ve seen some kids breastfeed till 3 years since weaning wasn’t done at the right time. These are some really good tips. Thankfully for me the process was easy.

  26. Great tips. As i read it I can see that these will help the emotional aspect also. Your post will surely help new moms.

    1. Swati Mathur says:

      An apt post for new mommies. I am surely going to share this with my friends. Very useful post.

  27. Breastfeeding has been one thing I’ve never got to enjoy to do when I gave birth to my two daughters. I have a lot of breastfeeding friends though whom all confess how weaning can be really though not only for the child but the mom as well.

  28. Anything abrupt does have an impact. Not just on kids but adults too. Your post will definitely help moms who are struggling to wean off their child.

  29. Such informative post. Going to forward this to my sister who is a newly mom of a 4 month kiddo. She needs it most

  30. Weaning is a trying stage for both baby and mom. You have given such appropriate pointers to start with the process.

  31. Wedding can be a challenge for some moms. Your blog post definitely has some great points on gradually weaning the child.

  32. You are right, every child is different, every weaning story is different. We too have 2 different stories of weaning. beautiful post. 🙂

  33. Really helpful post for new moms. I had really struggled with my elder one. But not with my Lil one. Once bitten twice shy.

  34. Weaning kids is a real task for many mothers, your post would be really helpful and I have gone through this phase too

  35. This is a very helpful article! I have a friend who is still not able to wean her baby from breast feeding, who is now 2 years old. For her it is more of an emotional attachment of giving up. I will forward this article to her, hopefully it helps her.

  36. […] Related post: Weaning from Breastfeeding […]

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