The key to healthy weaning is doing it gradually. Remember, you are helping your child into a new stage of development, not forcing him into it. This is not the time for you and your husband to go on a week-long vacation to the Bahamas. Weaning by desertion is traumatic and may backfire. The following are suggestions for gradually weaning your child:
Start by skipping a least favorite feeding, such as in the middle of the day. Instead, engage in a fun activity together, such as reading a book or playing a game. Nap and night nursings are favorite feedings and will probably be the last to go.
Minimize situations that induce breastfeeding, such as sitting in a rocking chair or cradling baby. If you put baby in a familiar breastfeeding setting, he will want to breastfeed.
Use the "don't offer, don't refuse" method. Don't go out of your way to remind her to nurse. However, if your child persists, or her behavior deteriorates, this may indicate that breastfeeding is still a need rather than a want. Watch your child and trust your intuition.
Become a moving target. Don't sit down in one place for any length of time. But, remember, weaning means releasing, not rejecting. Breastfeeding helps the child venture from the known to the unknown. If you don't let your child make brief pit stops, he may insist on lengthy feedings when he finally gets you to sit down. Checking into homebase and refueling reassures him that it's okay to explore his environment, and gives him the emotional boost to venture out. Rejecting this need could developmentally cripple your child.
Keep baby busy. Nothing triggers the desire to breastfeed like boredom. Sing songs, read books, or go on an outing together.
Set limits. Putting limits on nursing, such as: "We only nurse when Mr. Sun goes down and when Mr. Sun comes up" does not make you a bad parent.
Don't wean baby from you to an object, such as a stuffed animal or blanket. Ideally, you want to wean baby from your breast to an alternative source of emotional nourishment. This is when dad should begin to take on a more involved role in comforting. As dad's role in baby's life becomes bigger, nursing will be less important.
Expect breastfeeding to increase during times of illness. These are times when your child needs comfort and an immune system boost.
Life is a series of weanings for a child: weaning from your womb, your breast, your bed, and your home. The pace at which children wean go from oneness to separateness is different for every child, and this should be respected. In our experience, the most secure, independent, and happy children are those who have not been weaned before their time.
Thanks! I get the newsletter from Dr. Sears and I saw that and printed it out. I showed my husband and highlighted the part for him of "As dad's role in baby's life becomes bigger, nursing will be less important."
Thanks! I get the newsletter from Dr. Sears and I saw that and printed it out. I showed my husband and highlighted the part for him of "As dad's role in baby's life becomes bigger, nursing will be less important."
So how did DAD take this new of his new found responsibilities?
He's done pretty good so far. He always complains that Austin always wants mommy and never wants to go to daddy. So Michael took him Saturday with him to do some running. That night, when we went and picked him up from my mom and dad's he went running to daddy. Usually he come running to me and wants "boobie". This time he didn't even ask for it. So, I'm hoping he will start spending more time with him.
He's done pretty good so far. He always complains that Austin always wants mommy and never wants to go to daddy. So Michael took him Saturday with him to do some running. That night, when we went and picked him up from my mom and dad's he went running to daddy. Usually he come running to me and wants "boobie". This time he didn't even ask for it. So, I'm hoping he will start spending more time with him.
He's done pretty good so far. He always complains that Austin always wants mommy and never wants to go to daddy. So Michael took him Saturday with him to do some running. That night, when we went and picked him up from my mom and dad's he went running to daddy. Usually he come running to me and wants "boobie". This time he didn't even ask for it. So, I'm hoping he will start spending more time with him.
That's great! Mine's been spending more time with Daddy lately too and that's helpful for cutting down on nursing and has made her more interested in wanting Daddy when she wants someone to comfort her. Such as when Mom isn't giving her what she wants, then she cries for "Daddy".
05-13-2008, 04:57 PM
So how did DAD take this new of his new found responsibilities? 
Hopefully that will continue!
I hope it is going well!
