Weaning can be a tricky transition for both you and your baby. So we asked for your tips about weaning on social media, and have compiled them below.
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.
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.
