Weaning a 12 Month Old Breastfed Baby

Just curious....why can't he continue to nurse twice a day? The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends it until "at least age 2 now" and the health benefits are amazing...if you work FT I assume he is in day care...breastmilk will prevent him from being sick and keep him bonded to you. Nothing changes magically at 12 months for a child where they should be weaned in fact in most countries babies are breastfed for at least 2 or more years. Of course you can wean but I just wanted to pop in and ask the question WHY are you determined to do so.
Here are some links you should read first:
http://www.breastfeeding.com/reading_room/wean.html
http://www.smartmomma.com/Baby/weaning_baby.htm

L.

I was comfort nursing at that age too and it's very draining.

Take yourself out of the equation on one of the routines. I'd suggest the morning one first because if he's cranky the daycare workers can work on getting him happy for you.

Have you tried shortening the a.m. nursing by a minute or two each morning? I know how it feels to want to stop, I stopped at 12 months also (I had really wanted to make it to the 12-month mark, which I know is pretty arbitrary) because I was really ready, and my daughter didn't seem to mind. It was probably coincidence, but she got sick for the first time ever within a week, so I wonder if you might want to drop one feeding (maybe the morning) and keep doing the night-time feeding awhile longer (since it is flu and cold season). I'd try cows' milk mixed with breastmilk if you think it would help (but it's probably a deal-breaker, since she drinks from a sippy cup at other times, maybe warm it a little, and maybe she'd like a straw sippy more than a reagular sippy. That worked for my daughter- she likes the Nuby brand straw sippy cup with Handles (avail. at Walmart) over regular sippy cups. And maybe having someone else do it, reading books in the morning, or something else relaxing might help. And if you end them both, I'd just spread the end date of one from the end date of the other by at least a week. Good luck, you can both get through this!
-A.

My youngest had open heart surgery when he was 6 days. I nursed him for 28 mo. trying to get him through the rough winters. (which must have worked, he stayed healthy) When I just couldn't do it anymore, I told him "Mommy has an owie". I even put band aids on my nipples to show him. He never questioned me. He laid his head on my chest and went to sleep. It was comfort he wanted, and was very content with just laying there. I know it sounds crazy...but it worked! Good Luck.

K. -

My daughter too wasn't real fond of the time to be weaned. First off, make sure there aren't any other changes going on in the house. Second, decide which feeding you can cut out and only do one at a time. I cut my daughter down to the nightly nursing and left that one for a couple of weeks. Then when I was ready to wean her all together, I let her have an evening with Daddy and I went to a class that I had. She did fine that night and the next. The third night, she acted as though she wanted to, but I told her no and gave her a smoothie (one of the kid's yogurts mixed with regular milk) and she was a happy camper.

Good luck!

Are you putting cow's milk in the sippy cups or breastmilk. My daughter never would've weaned if I hadn't mixed breast milk and cow's milk together for a while. She just didn't like the taste of cow's milk. I know that more than likely he wants the breast, but it's worth a try to see if he just perfers the taste.

I would stop giving into him. I know it can be dificult. I would try it for a few days and just not give in, if that does not work I would call your docotor and see if there is anyhting he would suggest. I know this is a hard time ecspecially workinga full time job and being so tired at night and trying to get to work in the morning. Just keep at it and don't give up. You will work through it! Hope you are having a great day!

hello I just wanted to suggest, is there any one else that could try to feed him at that time? maybe he associates mommy with the breast milk since he does ok when you r at work. see if this works only until he gets use to it then slowly bring mommy in to feed him with the bottle.

Good Luck I hope this helps
Kathy

I would echo what Lisa W. says - Look at the advice of the American Academy of Pediatrics. If he is fighting for these two feedings, even if they are "comfort feedings" in your mind, his body is also trying to load itself with enough antibodies and to strengthen his immune system - he is only 12 months and it is flu season. Just my $.02

I weaned my older son at 13 months with no trouble. I just cut back and he was happy to go along. However, my younger son, now 15 month does not want to give it up. He still nurses 4-5 times a day. Maybe more. After weeks of trying to cut back I have found it easier just to nurse him for now. I would rather nurse him than have him cry and get mad when he doesn't get to nurse. Trust me, I am ready to give it up because I have been pregnant and/or nursing since spring 2003. You might go to www.askdrsears.com before you try to wean your son. No matter what you do congrats on working full time and nursing for as long as you have!

K.,

I am so sorry that things have not so smooth in the ways of weaning... I too am in the process of cutting down my feedings... I am on just two a day now... morning and night.

I dont know if this would work, but perhaps you could begin skipping only one of those feedings for now. For example, get into a different bedtime routine. Like bathtime, story, rocking to music then bed. Let your husband do all of this... if your son see's you, he will fuss for the breast.

As far as mornings, you might be able to compensate by putting him in his highchair and giving him other foods. Give him water in his sippy cup... or simply let your husband take this part of the day too... just for a few days until a routine is established.

I feel for you... my son is AWFULLY fond of the morning feedings. But you know, this past weekend, while we were out of town, in a different environment, he barely noticed that he almost missed those feedings.

So changing things up... sitting in a different spot from where you would normally feed him.

Again, I dont know if any of this will help, but Good Luck... Please keep us posted!!