MotherBreastFeeding.com

It's time to wean your baby off? If you believe it's time to stop breastfeeding, be ready to have several weeks of hard work and patience on your part. Every stage of weaning may take from 1 to 2 weeks - but be sure to succeed in it!

1. Reduce times of breastfeeding. It will look as if you are becoming a nun . Try to cut out one feed at a time. Do not provoke your baby - do not walk around in a gown or underwear in front of him/her. Do not wear blouses which can easily unbutton, make your breasts inaccessible for the baby. Be occupied with something, as an idling mom is the best victim for a baby who wants to suck. You may give up - then the weaning will be put off whereas the decision has already been taken!
2. Distract your baby. The baby got used to nursing and will often ask for feeds. In such cases you shouldn't ignore the baby, try to place some sort of distraction, try different activities (playing with toys, calling father, looking at the window, etc.). Different games often help to substitute the baby's favorite occupation. Be sincere, otherwise, the child will feel vulnerable. Do not scold the baby and do not say No - you are the best mom ever, aren't you? If you did not manage to distract the baby at once - don't be in despair, you will succeed later.
3. Set a specific place for breastfeeding. You are producing less milk, it's time to enforce a new rule - nurse the baby in a specific place (like on the sofa, for instance) or in the same position. Thus your baby will learn about restrictions.
4. Do not latch on at a day time. Let the baby sleep during the day, but do not latch on. It is very important to teach the baby sleep without mother's breast when she is around. Promise to be back in a while, leave the child alone for a minute, then come back and put the baby down for bed. Increase the average length of time of your absence. Explain the baby where you go and what you are going to do there. If the baby tries to find you - make sure he/she finds you doing the things you've promised. Be patient - once returning to your baby's room, you will find the baby in a sweet sleep.
5. Reduce breastfeeding at night. Wean the baby off gradually, do not rush and he/she will reject the breast even before the night sleep. Watch your baby - if you moved to a new stage of weaning off too early, the baby will heavily play up, will suck its thumb and a favorite toy. In this case go back to the previous stage and take your time. If you did everything right, start to wean off at night. In about a week the baby won't get frustrated because of reduced feedings. If the baby is full - take off the breast, if he/she does not resist - you won. With time, breastfeeding at night will take several minutes.
6. Wake up earlier than your baby. Now it's your turn to wake him/her up. Congratulations, you've done a great job! The baby will soon forget about your breast.

What to do after the baby is weaned off? All of a sudden he/she may remember about the sweet mummy's breast. There are several ways out. Try to explain that breastfeeding hurts you, but don't expect understanding. The thing is the baby at 3-4 years does not feel someone's pain. If you manage to convince the baby - you are the winner!

You may remind the baby that he/she once rejected the breast - therefore, he/she should not ask it now.
Mind that you should not provoke the baby to check if your breast has no milk. The baby will try doing it at once.

Hhhm, your baby is weaned off? Wow, we have a little problem here - you will surely miss breastfeeding now. May be, you should think of having another baby?