Breastfeeding is undoubtedly one of the most talked-about and controversial topics in motherhood. Every mother’s breastfeeding journey is unique, filled with both challenges and joys. When this journey eventually comes to an end, it stirs up a mix of emotions.
This is particularly true for moms who have been nursing toddlers, as they have been engaged in this beautiful bond for quite some time, making the idea of stopping breastfeeding feel like an overwhelming task.
One of the most common questions asked by mothers at this stage is how to wean a breastfeeding toddler gently. Today, we will delve into this topic and explore strategies to ease the transition for both mother and child.
When should you wean your toddler?
There is really no prescribed time to wean your toddler, it really depends upon the mother and baby in question. The WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding till six months of age, and complementary breastfeeding up to two years and beyond. There isn’t an end limit, and most Moms wean sometime after the first birthday and before the third.
However, many babies choose to wean of their own accord. They start showing less interest in breast milk and more interest in other foods. They often cry when put to the breast and turn their face away. Such babies or toddlers obviously need no help to wean; but others do!
You may choose to wait until your baby is ready to wean, but in many cases Moms take the initiative to start the weaning process. This is perfectly normal too; there are a number of reasons you may want to wean your toddler, such as:
- You’re going back to work full time
- You have a new baby on the way
- Your toddler is about to join preschool
- You’re done with breastfeeding
Whatever your reason may be, there’s no judgement at all! It’s entirely your choice; just be sure that you’re not doing it because your neighbours or in-laws are pressurizing you. And there’s no need to feel guilty if you really want to wean your toddler. You’ve persisted till now and given your baby a good start in life – you’ve done well!
However, unlike infants, toddlers’ breastfeeding is more about comfort and security than for food. Due to this, weaning a toddler can be harder than weaning an infant, and you’ll have to deal with more than just a simple tantrum! This doesn’t mean that it has to end in tears – here are 15 tips for weaning a breastfeeding toddler gently.
15 Tips on How to Wean a Breastfeeding Toddler Gently
1. Time it Right
Weaning from breastfeeding is going to require a good deal of effort, so be sure to plan well ahead. The process can take anything from a few weeks to a few months, so be prepared! Make sure that this doesn’t coincide with any other major changes in your life like moving to a new home or right after a traumatic event. Also ensure that your child is healthy enough to handle this change and is eating a variety of nutritious foods.
2. Talk to your Child
Once you’ve decided to start weaning, make it a point to talk to your child about it. Communication is essential, so that your child gets some time to emotionally prepare. Tell her in advance that after Christmas, you’re planning to cut down on the number of feeds. Don’t make it sound like a punishment or as if something bad is happening. Talk like it’s just a regular thing, that kids do when they are getting big.
3. Stop Offering
This is a great rule to gently get into the groove of weaning a toddler who’s reluctant to wean. Stop offering the breast completely, but if he asks, don’t say no. You might find that some feeds just drop off without your child even noticing! Doing this for a few weeks will make it much easier to wean completely.
4. Go Slow
Weaning a breastfeeding toddler should be a very gradual process – this is easier on your child and your breasts! Drop a feed first, continue for a few weeks, and then drop another one and so on. Start with the feed that your child needs the least. For most kids, the night feed is the one they’re most dependent on, so leave it for the last. Gradually dropping feeds also prevents engorgement and gives your breasts time to adjust to the decrease in demand.
5. Increase Daytime Activities
Like we mentioned, the day time feeds are the easiest to drop, especially when your child is busy. Set up some activities around the time he nurses, so that he’s completely occupied during that time and forgets to ask for his feed. He won’t even notice that he’s dropping his feeds!
6. Get a New Sippy Cup
Some children respond well to being treated like a grown up, especially for older toddlers or preschoolers. Gift them a new sippy cup featuring their favorite TV character to make his new drinks more exciting than breast milk. Substitute a feed or two with a drink of his choice, like chocolate milk or another healthy drink like a sprouted malt or multigrain drink.
7. Fill them Up
But not with breast milk! Just before they come to nurse, offer them a tall glass of water or juice, that’ll fill them up. This way, they won’t be as eager to nurse, and might just let it go. Even if they do feed, they might not nurse for their usual duration and might let go faster.
8. Stop Nursing Outside
Around this time, you can explain to your child that you’ll not be nursing anywhere other than home, so he shouldn’t ask. It’s best to tell him this well before you’re planning to go out, so you have time to answer his many questions. Give several alternative options, considering his favorites.
9. Set a Time Limit
Like we mentioned above, ‘comfort sucking’ is a big part of toddler breastfeeding, so they can nurse for quite a while. Set a time limit and let them know before hand that they can only nurse for so long and then they have to let go. You can shorten this time interval gradually so the change is easier on your child.
10. Leave it to Daddy
To get rid of the night feeding, it’s a good idea to let Dad handle the bedtime routine. If you think it might be to sudden, let Mom and Dad get together initially, and Mom can slowly drop out. Include an extra story or song to make up for missing the night feed. You can also have grandparents chip in for the bedtime routine if they live with you.
11. Sleep on the Other Side
If you co-sleep with your toddler, getting rid of the night feeds can be a little more difficult. One way is to put him on your partner’s side, so his access to your breasts is cut off. You can also try getting him to sleep in a different bed, with a sibling or with his grandparents. Another option is to wake up before he does, to skip early morning feeds, and to go to bed once he’s in deep sleep, to skip the late night feed.
12. Try Sleepovers
If your child is old enough to handle it, you can try spending occasional nights away from home, or sending your little one to stay with his grandparents. Do make sure there is someone to attend to him all day and to keep him occupied so he realizes that he can still have fun without nursing.
13. Focus on Brushing
A problem with nursing a toddler to sleep is that it increases the likelihood of tooth decay, also called ‘nursing caries’. Make a big deal about brushing your toddler’s teeth at night, with a bright toothbrush and child-friendly toothpaste.
14. Include Cuddle Time
Cutting down on breast feeds shouldn’t make your toddler feel like he’s losing out on your love! Include lots of cuddles, hugs, playtime and story time through the day to let him know that nothing has changed. He’ll realize that even he doesn’t get Mommy’s milk, he still gets all her love!
15. Be Consistent
Transitioning a toddler who has been nursing for a significant period of time can be challenging, as it means letting go of their primary source of comfort. Initially, you can expect clinginess, anger, and frustration from your little one. That’s why it’s important to approach this change gradually yet consistently. Even though it may feel difficult at times, stick to your decision and remain patient.
As your body adjusts to the new demand and supply cycle, you may experience moments of engorgement. To manage this, expressing a small amount of milk can help control your milk supply. Be cautious not to express too much, as this might signal your body to produce more milk. Following these tips on how to wean a breastfeeding toddler will assist you in navigating this process gradually.
Ending a breastfeeding journey that has spanned a year or two can be an emotional experience, especially if you faced challenges along the way. Additionally, as your milk supply decreases, your hormones may fluctuate, leading to mood swings. It’s important to acknowledge and accept your feelings, understanding that it is normal to experience such emotions. Remember, both you and your toddler will soon overcome this phase and embark on a new, joyful, and adventure-filled chapter in your lives.
My 13Mo feeds to sleep and now I completely want to stop bf, how do I gently make him sleep without offering feed? Also, he wakes up quite often at night for comfort feed, which I want to stop.
Please try following the ideas mentioned in the above article 🙂
My daughter is 15 months old n on formula milk since she was 4 months old. She needs bottle milk everytime she sleeps irrespective of day or night. How to stop that?
Hi,
Filling dinner is most important and also try giving sips of water instead of milk when he comes for feeding. Initially it might be tough but gradually he would stop waking up for milk. You can also follow certain tips given in the article.