Breast Feeding

I totally have been in her shoes! I've nursed 3 in all. All until after 15 months of age. Here is what I have learned from my experiences:

There is no one miracle way, since each baby is different. But one thing is for sure, if you start out cutting back little by little, that does help. Start to offer your critter alternatives and make sure they are eating enough and drinking other fluids. Once you can tell that they are nursing primarily for comfort and not because they're hungry, then it's time to stop.

I suggest that when the day comes and mom makes the decision that it will be the last day, she needs to stick to her guns. Saying no to one feeding but then giving in the next is going to not only make it worse on your baby, but be a complete waste of time. Once she decides to stop. Then that's it. I recommend her making sure baby doesn't get a glimpse of her bosom for a while. It helps to not see what you can't have. Out of sight, out of mind kind of thing. After a while they forget.

If she nurses before bed as kind of a precursor to sleeping, then start a new routine before bed. If your critter is stubborn like mine were,you may have to let them cry, stomp and fight it the first day and night. I got kicked, screamed at, my shirt ripped, the whole nine. Stay calm, ignore it, divert their attention to the best of your ability and I promise it will get easier. :) GOOD LUCK!

M.

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Maybe if you got the baby some bottles with the small nipple that looks like a breast and will eventually start to wean like that.

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well...it'd be best for her body to slowly cut out feedings and for him too. Say just feed first thing in the morning and last thing at night, then cut one of those out. This will make it less tramatic on him and her body for the drying up process.
I've heard other mother's tell their kids that 'Mommy's broken' or that it's 'all gone' and quit cold turkey; beware this has lead to mastitis too. Good luck and congratulations in going as long as you have.

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Start by cutting out one feeding every 3 days until you are completely done. You can also try contacting la leche league or your local hospital, they should have a lactation specialist. They should be able to answer any questions that you may have.
Good luck

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If you haven't yet, pump some breastmilk and feed it from a bottle. Supplement with formula or milk as needed, and just pump when you're uncomfortably 'full.' When you do stop, if you get filled up and uncomfy again, take a hot bath, submerging your chest somehow. I did this at 9 months and had no problems.

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The way I have started to ween my 17 month old is by drastically cutting down on his feedings. I think if he had his way he would nurse all day long but I was ready to stop! The night was very hard but once I got through the first week it got alot easier and now he no longer wakes up to nurse. He only nurses now in the morning, before his nap, and right before bed, and we are going to start slowly eliminating each one. I hope everything works out for you! Good luck!

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Some Dr's say cut it cold turkey. what I did was reduce the feeding to morning and night and bottle feed during the day untill you feel less and less full then stop and you shoudl dry up.

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With my son, I cut back feedings gradually to just once a day. He breastfed once daily for a couple of weeks, then instead of the breast, I gave him a cup of milk. He was very unhappy about it, but it only lasted a few days. This also helped with engorgement, I only had issues for a day or two.

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Hi M.,
What your wife can do is gradually wean your wee one off the breast by just may be feeding your baby once a day by the breast and the rest of the time with whole milk. Or, you can tell her to breast feed at night, and in the morning, and then in the afternoon, have your baby drink the whole milk. Then after a week of doing this, just breast feed at night, and give your baby whole milk in the morning and at lunch time. Then, after a week of doing this, then it's whole milk all the time. :-) I hope this works for her. Best wishes, G.

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