Breast feeding and weening...

Laura - posted on 07/05/2012

this is Dr.Laura,ND,& LC,hi,Kobie! No need to refuse,child led weaning is by far the best.. He will know when he can safely stop,all children are different,have different emotional needs!....those who are cut off BEFORE they are ready,these children often suffer trauma that can mar them for life.!PLEASE SEE MY VERY COMPLETE POST :"BREASTFEEDING OLDER KIDS". The World Health Org. recommends BF to at least 2 yrs.........you are welcome to join our community where much info is happily exchanged......

Laura mornings~Admin~Nature Moms community..please let me know how this turns out for your sweet boy....would be traumatic to break that bond,it is not the amt of milk but the closeness and bonding that really counts for his well-being

Jennifer - posted on 03/24/2011

i completely agree with Laura. as long as you nurse when you are together with him (at least 3 or 4 times over the course of 24 hours), you don't have to worry about expressing, or giving cow's milk. the world health organization and the AAFP both recommend a minimum of 2 years of breastfeeding, and many many women are able to go back to work and continue nursing into the toddler years as it is much simpler than nursing a baby.

i really recommend the breastfeeding moms community here...there are a BUNCH of moms nursing, and working during the toddler years and they can really help you fit it all into your lifestyle. good luck, and i hope you are able to continue :)

Laura Zoey - posted on 03/24/2011

Just breastfeed him when you are together, and when you are at work he can drink water and eat solids!
Your milk is so very very nutritious for hum and it's so important for his immune system this next year. You can simply breastfeed when together, and he can have water when you are away!
Weaning is so simple when you allow the child to grow out of breStfeeding on their own, just keep going until he decides he doesn't need it anymore. That's how weaning is really ment to be anyways, we shouldn't have to have all these tricks and tips to get our babies weaned, it can be very simple if you just let him decide when to stop.

Sommer - posted on 03/24/2011

I really have enjoyed nursing both of my children. I nursed my first until she was 3 and my son is 20 months and still nursing--however I stayed home with them so it just seemed the natural thing to do and it worked out well for us. If I had to go back to work I don't know if I would have continued breastfeeding. I think really the only way that pumping is very effective is if you are using a hospital-grade machine (that is the only time it worked well for me anyway). Otherwise you just don't get enough and your breasts will produce less and less over time. I would say if you are intent on weaning your baby, the best way to go about it is do it gradually. You should cut out the daytime nursing first, about one or two nursing each day for the first week, then continue until you aren't breastfeeding him during the day. Then cut out the first morning nursing, and then the last nurse before bedtime. If he is very clingy and fussy and wanting to nurse, you can try diverting his attention to eating or drinking something he enjoys, like yogurt or milk, or watered down juice. I am still nursing but there are times when it is not convenient (ie when we are at the store), and I am also beginning to wean him, and this works well for us. I have to be sure I have some snacks and drinks on hand when we leave the house, and at home I keep him busy and well-fed so he doesn't try to nurse simply because he is hungry or wanting attention. I hope this helps!