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4 Steps for Weaning with Love
For me, weaning my daughter from the breast was a piece of cake. At the tender age of 1 month, she stared me in the face, began howling, and refused to take my breast into her mouth. The howling didn't stop until a warm bottle appeared several minutes later.
A year later, the child who so willingly gave up the breast is significantly more reluctant to give up her beloved "bah," so much so that she's flung six sippy cups from her stroller and into the path of various speeding cars -- there's $30 I won't be getting back.
As you may have guessed, breaking up with the breast or the bottle can be hard to do, and for good reason. The breast has been the main source of nutrition for baby's entire life. And let's not discount the security, comfort, and warmth a child derives from snuggling up close to another warm body.
These transitions have quite an impact on a parent as well; there's not a mother out there who doesn't feel a pang or two every time her little baby takes on a new big-boy or big-girl task. It's inevitable: Every parent has to wean her child. But it doesn't have to be painful -- and you can continue to snuggle as much as you want!
Saying Goodbye to the BreastThe American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that mothers breastfeed their babies for a full year. It's a wonderful goal, and more power to you if you can reach it. Unfortunately, it's not possible or practical for everyone.
One of the most common reasons for weaning is returning to work. Other women simply want their body back. "I felt like I spent all of my time manipulating my boobs," says Margie Smith, of Columbia, South Carolina. "It was easier to bond with Amy when I used the bottle -- I felt like I had more control."
Whatever your reason, "don't let anyone judge you," says Katy Lebbing, manager of the Center for Breastfeeding Information and a certified lactation consultant at La Leche League International. "The most important thing to do is to wean gradually and with love." Here's how to do it, step by step.
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There are No "stupid" questions. I think they meant replace with whatever you or your Dr suggest. We started our son on soy frmla after a stay in the hospital & breastfed when possible. I continued the breast and bottle up to now. He nurses whenever he wants & takes organic soy milk with his table food. He's now 13 mnths & slowly weaning himself. He drinks from a bottle/cup & reserves nursing for naptimes, bedtimes or comfort. Do what you think is the best for your little one.
2/14/2011 11:31:53 AM Report AbuseThis is a ridiculous article. The author says in the first sentance that she breastfed for a single month. What gives someone who obviously did very little breastfeeding the authority to write an article on weaning?
2/14/2011 10:55:26 AM Report AbuseMy son is 6 months now, i still breastfeed and pump while im at work. All my co workers seem to think im crazy and keep telling me i should just give it up. To be honest though, i think they are crazy. I just dont understand why i should stop breastfeeding just to buy formula, it doesn't make any sense to me. Not to mention the fact that i think it is absolutly gross to drink cow's milk, EWWW!!
2/14/2011 10:18:29 AM Report AbuseAfter one year, you can use either. Breastmilk of course has more nutritional benefits than cows milk, so if you have it, by all means use it. If not...now is a good time to start introducing whole milk.1 year is not a magic number to quit breastfeeding most other countries wean at the age of 2 years. most babies are nursing just once or twice a day mainly at night time and will self wean before they are 2yrs. So keep on breastfeeding if it is happy time for you and baby.
2/17/2010 12:08:59 PM Report Abusei-am-weaming-from-breastfeeding-while-substituting-with-cow-milk-and-feeding-solids-and-using-a-sippy-cup.we-just-go-with-whatever...
2/5/2010 02:03:44 PM Report AbuseForgive me for being "stupid", but all the suggestions say replace one feeding with a bottle or cup - bottle or cup of WHAT? Breastmilk, cow's milk? For a one-year old would that be cow's milk. Would you want to have your child drinking breastmilk and cow's milk durning the same day?
1/28/2010 07:11:20 AM Report Abuse