Does any one know of any "mommmy and me groups" that i can take both of my kids ages one and a half and three years old.
Other cultures nurse thier children for years! I stopped when my son seemed to lose interest...he was 10 months-good luck!
Great question! I know so many moms ask this very question.
The time to wean baby from the breast is different for every mother and every baby. Some mothers choose to follow the American Academy of Pediatrics' recommendation to nurse for 1 year, minimum, and then, when solid foods have been well introduced, slowly cut out nursing, about one nursing session per day for one week. The next week, another nursing session could be eliminated in addition to the first, and so forth until you feel the weaning has been complete. Talking with your child's doctor about what foods and drinks to offer instead of mother's milk is important, and if your baby is under 1 year, switching to infant formula or pasteurized breast milk from a Mother's Milk Bank is advised.
Some mothers find it very helpful to use distraction techniques when cutting out each nursing session: like walks outdoors, playing with toys, reading books, etc. Then, the next week, the mom cuts out another nursing session, watching for signs of regression in the child in case the weaning is going too quickly for him/her (signs include, clinginess, excess crying, etc.)
If the child seems unready to wean completely, some mothers choose to place limits on nursing, but not wean entirely (usually best understood by toddlers around 18-24 months, but every child is unique). Some mothers shorten sessions by ending the nursing session at the end of the ABC song. Sometimes setting times of day to nurse a toddler, like midmorning, before naps and at bedtime is useful for some mothers and children.
One way to think of weaning is that one is simply replacing nursing with something else. Offering more hugs and kisses, offering sips of water and healthful snacks, spending time together playing or visiting loved ones are some examples of mommy milk replacements.
Taking into account the feelings and needs of mother and baby can help weaning to be a mutually comfortable time. When weaning is too quick for either mom or child, mastitis and other complications can harm mother, and be a physical and emotional shock for the child.
In case weaning doesn't seem to be in the cards anytime soon, it may be reassuring to know that the American Academy of Pediatrics states that there are no negative effects relating to nursing past one year. Actually, there are many benefits for mother and baby when baby nurses past the one year mark.
Weaning is an individual decision, made by each mother and child, and can be a positive time.
In case you're curious, Sally Kneidel wrote an article about nursing beyond 1 year. It can be found here:
http://www.geocities.com/heartland/plains/7503/BF1YR.HTML
Happy Mothering,
E.
Depends on why your doing it. Are you both still very happy with the nursing? Nursing should be a two way street after food has been introduced and regualar eating has been established. If mom or baby is no longer happy with nursing it should be stopped. At 1.5 nursing is a comfort thing, a security thing. I stopped at 16 months because I just couldn't handle how my son would pinch me anymore! He had done it since birth and I was fed up. I found other ways of being close with him, like just cuddling before naps and bedtime that seamed to work for us both. Nursing is not I think neccessary at your child's age but also nothing you should feel compeled to stop doing if your not ready to. And in my case it really had to be me because I'm sure he would have kept nursing as long as I let him. But we are still close and loving and he isn't damaged from me saying no. :)
I would say at the latest.. 1 year..
