Weaning

If you missed our December CNML online meeting about weaning, here is your chance to hear more about what we discussed! Our lovely CNML mentor, Christelle, put together a wonderful presentation!

In Biblical times, weaning was a gradual process that took place usually around the three year mark but some Rabbinic texts suggest sometime in the range of 18 months to 5 years of age.  Weaning represented contentment (Psalm 131:2) and was a cause for celebration (Genesis 21:8).

The American anthropologist, Kathy Dettwyler, conducted research on infant feeding practices across cultures and discovered that if children are left to wean on their own, they will naturally wean between the ages of 2.5 and 7 years of age. Other research studies suggest weaning will naturally occur between 3 and 5 years of age.

Some things to consider if you are wondering if you should wean:

Is weaning something you want or something a family member or friend wants?

Is your child developmentally ready for complete weaning?

Is weaning your only option or could you consider partial weaning? Have you tried partial weaning? How did your child react? How do you feel about continuing to breastfeed?

One possibility for a more gradual weaning is Mother Encouraged Gentle Weaning.  With this type of weaning, you might consciously offer substitutes instead of nursing (gradually over time). You might follow the guideline: don’t offer, don’t refuse. Since your child will be older and can understand more than a younger child, you could have a conversation about not nursing at night. Some moms tell their toddlers that they can nurse “when they sun comes up.” You can also ask your husband for help.  He can rock the toddler back to sleep when he or she wakes up during the night.

Another idea for weaning is simply to wean at night. If you are considering weaning at night, it will be easier for both you and baby if you wait until baby is not currently teething or ill or going through a growing spurt.  Some ideas to help with night weaning: try to nurse your child more during the day, consider offering more solids (if your child is already taking solids), try to reduce distractions when your child is nursing during the day, let your child nurse for a long stretch right before bed, and consider alternative sleeping arrangements.  After trying these ideas your child still wakes up at night and seems to want to nurse, he or she may not be quite ready for night weaning.  Maybe wait some time and try again in the future.

One other type of weaning is Abrupt Weaning which might need to be employed if you have a serious health concern or a special situation. If your baby is less than 12 months old, you will need to pump your milk or feed your baby donor milk or formula.  Be sure to rest and take care of yourself.  Use ice packs and pain medication if your doctor approves. You might consider using breast pads for any leaking. If you have several weeks to completely wean, drop one feeding every few days. If you feel full, you can hand express or pump just to soften your breasts and relieve engorgement. If you develop a fever or a hard spot on your breast or pain, contact your local lactation consultant or your doctor. Let your baby know you love him or her!  Cuddle your baby often!

Written by Gina M. Peterson, BS, IBCLC