Weaning can be a tricky transition for both you and your baby. So we asked for your tips about weaning on our Facebook page, and have compiled them below. Feel free to add your own!
Preparing a child by talking with him about it for weeks in advance. See our post on children’s books about breastfeeding for a few kids’ books about weaning.
1. Gradually cutting out feedings, starting with non-naptime feedings.
2. Timing the final stage of weaning with a separation (like a trip to Grandma’s house).
3. Waiting until they self-wean.
4. Reducing feedings to just nap time and bedtime. Then cutting out the naptime and nighttime feedings.
5. Offering more fluids around weaning time.
6. Wearing hard-to-get-into shirts to encourage snuggling rather than nursing.
7. Being pregnant! The changes in milk during pregnancy cause some children to self-wean (though they may want to resume nursing once your milk comes in for the new baby!)
8. Using the baby-led weaning method of introducing solids to help a child become more comfortable with solids. Check out our podcast and posts on baby led weaning!
9 . And we’d like to add one more strategy: “Don’t offer, don’t refuse!”
For more information on approaches to weaning, we recommend this page on Kellymom.com and the books The Nursing Mother’s Guide to Weaning and How Weaning Happens.
