Weaning A Breastfed Baby

by LisaC

When to wean a breastfed baby is a very controversial subject. Some people are in favor of extending breastfeeding lasting well beyond 2 years and others prefer a lesser time.

It’s up to the parents to decide when the time is right or them and for their baby to wean. Work and other obligations might make breastfeeding beyond a year impossible or very difficult for some, while other mothers might continue to breastfeed up to 4 years and beyond. Those choices are right for those parents. However, at some point it will become time for the child to be weaned from the breast.

Weaning some breastfed children is simple because they are ready and they do not feel rejected at all when weaning takes place. However, other children in particular toddlers may have a harder time of it.
In that case the easiest way for mom’s body and for the child to wean is gradually reducing the number of breastfeedings per day. Mom’s body becomes used to producing less milk over a period of time and the child gets used to missing a nursing here and there. It comes gradually and easily for many.

One thing most everyone agrees on about the process of weaning a breastfed chilld is that touching though the weaning process is very important. The child might be missing that special closeness that nursing provides and extra hugs and cuddles can ease that immensely.

If the breastfed child is a toddler then praising them can be a very good positive reinforcement during the weaning process. Parents should be free with praises and tell them what a big boy or girl they are for drinking from the cup or accepting a glass of juice instead of nursing.
Remember that every child is individual and what works for one might not for another, persistence is the key here.

Gradual weaning if at all possible is easiest on both mom and baby because suddenly stopping breastfeeding can be very uncomfortable for mom and lead to breast engorgement and possible mastitis and it can also be very confusing and scary for the child to be denied the comfort he has known from infancy.

If the baby is under a year old then a bottle will be necessary since infants that age need the extra iron and supplements in formula. The mom may have to try several different types of nipples to find one that the infant will accept easily. Again, if possible try and wean gradually to reduce the impact on mom’s body and so give the infant time to adjust too.

A mom who pays extra attention to her baby during the weaning process can ease weaning as well as strengthen the bond between mother and child.

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1 comment

1 BabywiseGuides { 10.30.09 at 3:20 am }

Certainly it is much of a personal choice, in my opinion if you are able to then you must continue breastfeeding for ample time, as you can feed your baby different food supplements and formula but nowhere you are going to find out an alternative for the breastfeeding.But for sure you have to switch to start wean your baby and then this article would be of great value .

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