Are you finally ready to wean your baby completely, mama? It’s a lot easier said than done, but there are tips you can do to make the whole process easier for you. Whether you will need to substitute breastfeeding for bottle feeding, or for nutritious snacks or cupped drinks for older children, weaning is a process that needs some getting used to – it’s not something that can be done in a snap.
If weaning is something you need to do for yourself, doing it gradually is the best way to go. After all, doing it in one go can lead to breast engorgement, and may develop into mastitis. Your little one will also be yearning for comfort, and may potentially refuse the substitute the first time around, so multiple tries will be needed.
Weaning for Babies Under One Year
One tip for weaning babies under one year is to substitute their least favorite feeding first. If they refuse to take a bottle from you, mama, having papa or a support person to do the feeding on your behalf might just do the trick. It may also help if you’re not in the room with your little one so that they’re not searching for your scent.
Every time you drop a breastfeeding session, give it a few days before they get used to it. While your little one adjusts to bottle feeding, your breasts will need some time to adjust to the sudden drop in demand as well. Pump just a little milk from your breasts, and not a whole feeding’s worth, just to relieve pressure from your breasts and so they don’t get engorged. Eventually, your body will get the hint that you no longer need as much milk as you used to, and your supply will slowly decrease.
Weaning for Toddlers
Toddlers have more options when it comes to meeting their nutritional needs. They are able to eat more, and drink other liquids other than milk. When your child refuses to wean, here are some tips that can make it easier:
1. Change their routine – Changing their routine can make it easier for your toddler to wean. If you usually wake up at the same time, and he asks for milk upon waking, try to wake up earlier and have someone else stay beside them. They can offer a bottle or a cup of milk in place of a nursing session.
2. Try offering a distraction – At a certain point, you’re able to anticipate when your little one is likely going to ask for milk. When it’s almost time, try offering a substitute or a distraction by giving him another snack or drink at the time., or have him do his favorite activities to drop the nursing session.
3. Don’t offer if they don’t ask – Sometimes, having a nursing schedule can make it difficult to wean. If your child isn’t asking for milk, don’t offer. This technique may help you accelerate the process and may signify that your child is finally learning to substitute breastfeeding for other options.
4. Offer water or a snack before bedtime – Your little one won’t want to go to sleep hungry, so offering some water or a snack before bedtime if he seems hungry or thirsty may help you wean off their nighttime feeding. It may also help to have someone do the sleeping time routine instead of you, so that your little one learns not to rely on breastfeeding to fall asleep.
If the weaning process is going too quickly for your little one, they will let you know through their behavior. If they are throwing tantrums, getting aggressive, or waking more frequently than usual, it may be a sign to lengthen your patience just a little bit more, mama. Take it one day at a time, and if your little one is old enough to understand why you’re trying to wean them, it may help to talk to them about it.
Weaning is no walk in the park, and may be difficult for both mama and child. Take it easy on both of you, mama, and at the end of the day, trust your instincts. You know yourself and your child better than anyone else, and there’s no better way to do the weaning process than the way you believe is best for both of you.
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