The Weaning Dilemma

OK, I know this sounds crazy, but I am still nursing my 2-year-old daughter. I’ve been trying to wean her for the last couple of months with little luck. I have been successful at cutting back, but she does seem a pretty attached to the whole thing still. I’ve tried replacements, like a pacifier or food, which in both cases haven’t worked. When looking into suggestions about weaning, I found some good info online from Dr. Sears and the La Leche Group. Both websites had similar suggestions. I have listed some of the basic ones below:

• Do it gradually. Cold turkey is not going to be really effective here.

• Start by cutting out the less important feedings, like the daytime ones. Do something else like play a game, read together, or go for a walk instead. Nap-time and night nursings are going to be a little more difficult, so they’ll be the last holdouts.

• Try not to put yourself and your child in situations that encourage breastfeeding, such as rocking in a rocking chair, cradling, or anything else that encourages nursing.

• Use the "don't offer, don't refuse" method. Don’t make a point of reminding your child to nurse, but if it becomes an issue, then perhaps you’re still in the “need” stage rather than the “want” stage. Watch your child to see where she is with breastfeeding.

• Boredom is a great excuse for feeding, so keep baby busy. Make sure there are plenty of activities to do so she doesn’t look for an excuse to nurse.

• Get dad more involved in the comforting role, rather than weaning baby to a blanket, stuffed toy or other object.

Here are some online resources for breastfeeding and weaning:

• Dr. Sears
• La Leche League International
• Got Mom?
• American Academy of Pediatrics