Stop Breastfeeding - APO,AE

My daughter weaned herself at 3.5 years. It was a slow, peaceful, gradual process.

I would say it all depends on how attached he or she is to breastfeeding. Does your baby nurse ALOT (like my 22 month old) or is it just down to once or twice a day?

If he or she is still very much a nursling, I would wait until he or she drops her nursing sessions down to 2 or 3 times a day. Then simply try the distraction techniques. Don't, however, make it a big issue or they can become even more boob obsessed. Remember too, that 2 year molars will be coming soon and many babies find nursing during that phase of teething very soothing.

The World Health Organization, UNICEF and all other countries in Europe recommend nursing a child a MINIMUM of 24 months, and thereafter as long as mom and baby desire. Natural weaning age of humans is between 2 and 7 years of age.

Best advice - take your lead from your little one.

Peace :)

Please tell me you mean 22 month old! If so, try reducing one feeding a day for 3 or four days, remembering to replace the time with some other close bonding time, like play, reading, cuddling, or massage. This way your attached child will not feel like you are removing your love and affection when you are just removing the breast. This works for most babies this age, as they are usually approaching a time for self-weaning with encouragement. If your baby puts up a big fight, he/she may not yet be ready, and possibly you need to stick it out for a few more months. My boy wasn't done until he was 2 1/2, but when he was ready, he simply stated, "I guess I drank it all." (I guess my milk supply had lessened with the decreased feedings, so he wasn't being satisfied in the same way) He never went back to the breast after that day. Now, If your baby really is 22 years old, I have no advice.... except: Good luck to you:)

Hi J.,

When I stopped nursing my son, I went away for the weekend, and Dad took care of him. I did have a little bit of engorgement, though not bad because he was 16 months old, and he was eating regular food and mostly nursing at nap and bedtimes. With my daughter, I switched her to the bottle at 16 months. I had to start taking a medication that was not ok during breastfeeding.

It was a hard decision, but in the end, I realized that it was me who wamted to be done nursing, not my babies! They would have been happy with continuing to nurse until age 3, I'm sure. My kids were definitely booby babies! Good job with extended breastfeeding. I think it's awesome that some moms are able to be patient enough to go that long. You'll just find your own way, if that's today, or in a few weeks. Weaning is a natural process, and you will be able to do it just right when the time comes.Good luck.

K.

Great job for breastfeeding so long! :)

When my son tried to nurse, I would offer him a sippy cup of milk or snuggle or play with him instead. Frequently he would accept that. Then one day he just decided he was done. I offered to nurse him when he was crying and he said no and pushed me away. Good luck.

Hi,

the question is: do you want to stop, or is it society that kind of tells you it's wrong at that age? I assum at 22 months you only feed in your home and most likely before bedtime. So it's your decision if you want to keep feeding or if you want to stop.

You are ready to stop? Then that is what you tell your child. They do understand a lot more than you assum. I stopped feeding my younger one at 17 months because he started biting. I told him that he cannot bite me, stopped feeding at that point. The next night he did it again and I told him that we are done again for that evening. The next night same thing and I told him that this was the last time and we are done no. The next night he wanted to drink again and I told him that we are so done because of his biting. If biting is not the case but you want your body back then you can tell your child that he can have x amount of feedings (like 3 more for instantce) but then it's over and then that is what you follow through with at that point. At that age you don't have to wean anymore, it's just comforting and you can comfort your child in other ways.

Take care,

E.

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I stopped at 2.5 years and it was a gradual process as I really didn't want to go cold turkey and I didn't want to deal with the pain of engorgement. Cut down on your nursing routine one at a time. Take away the non-nap/sleep related ones first, one at a time, and keep going. It was very gradual and painless for us. I still like to snuggle with my little guy, but the nursing is done :)