Thinking about nighttime weaning? Learn more about when to nighttime wean and explore the question, “Will weaning help my baby sleep through the night?”
Help a Mama Out: Weaning a Toddler
A Farewell to Na-Na: When It's Time to Wean
Gentle Weaning: Techniques and Resources
In this third article in our Gentle Weaning series, we will start the conversation about different techniques you can try to gently wean your baby. If you are wondering about how to pace the weaning process, check out our last article, Gentle Weaning: What is the Process?
Every breastfeeding mother eventually weans her child. It is part of the evolutionary process. Whether your baby is a few months old or a preschool-age child, there comes a time when the act of breastfeeding no longer occurs. When the time is right for both you and your child to wean, there are quite a few techniques you can use to help make the process go more smoothly.
I have searched books and the Internet to find some of the best resources out there. I would love if you would please share your own resources and experiences, as well, so that we can all benefit from them!
What is Weaning and When Should I Wean my Baby?
Weaning is a very personal and emotional topic for all breastfeeding moms. My personal experience with weaning my two boys was not what I expected nor anticipated. As my milk started to dwindle when my boys turned three months, I didn’t have the breastfeeding support or knowledge I needed to ramp up my supply. At that time, I was not a lactation consultant. Instead I was a full-time working mom, breastfeeding while with my son and pumping, 2 times a day, while at work.
I was devastated that my milk supply was ‘failing’ me, but I did the best I could to eek it out as long as I could. I made it to 7 months with my first son and to 8 months with my second son. I had hoped to breastfeed until my boys were at least a year, but my body had another plan in mind. I weaned as slowly as I could, for I didn’t want to let go of breastfeeding completely. The emotional tie was too great for me to let go of.
So, what is weaning? What does it really mean?
Gentle Weaning: What is the Process?
In this second article in our Weaning series, we will start the conversation about how to gently wean your baby and why pacing is so important in this process. If you are wondering when you will know when to begin weaning your child, check out our last article, What is Weaning and When Should I Wean my Baby?
At what pace should you wean your child?
Very slowly. The weaning process can take several months, as you want to make sure that both you and your child are adapting well to this new pattern of breastfeeding. Drop one feeding at a time (for example, from 6 times a day to 5 times a day) and try this out for a week or two. This will give your breasts time to acclimate and hopefully not become too engorged. This will also allow your child to get used to doing something else, or get his/her nutrition from another source at this time.
This process will most likely take a month to several months; depending on how many times your child is breastfeeding in a 24 hour period. Remember, weaning can affect you and your child physically and emotionally, so it is best to take your time and wean very slowly.