By now you realize that your child is unique, as are you. No “one-size-fits-all” strategy will work for all babies and all moms when it comes to weaning your child. That’s why is it important to develop an individualized plan that will help you wean your child with a minimal amount of stress. By developing your own unique strategy for weaning, you will ensure your own happiness and that of your child during the weaning process.

In this article, I’ll provide you with some tips on how to develop an individualized weaning plan.

Getting Started

First of all, understand that you are the best judge of when the time is right to wean your child. It is impossible for an outsider or expert to determine what the right time is for a mother to wean her child. Deciding when to wean is a personal decision that should be made based upon the needs of the mother and child.

Once you have decided the time is right to wean, there are several things you can do to start off on the right foot. Most moms, once they have decided to wean, struggle with starting, simply because they have not developed a plan of action.

So the first thing you should do is sit down and plot out your plan of action. You don’t need to develop a formal plan, but you should have an idea of how you are going to go about weaning. Gradual weaning usually requires you to slowly eliminate one feeding at a time, often at an interval of no less than three days apart. Take some time to consider what feeding would be best for you to eliminate.

If your child’s favorite feeding is at the end of the day, you might consider, for example, eliminating a noon-time feeding first, so that the experience is not as traumatic. Deciding on which feeding to eliminate is the first hurdle that you will overcome while weaning.

Many mothers feel stressed over the prospect of weaning. One of the best suggestions for reducing the stress associated with weaning is gradually decreasing nursing sessions one by one. You can easily accomplish this by gradually reducing the time of your nursing sessions rather than eliminating an entire nursing session cold turkey. If, for example, your child usually suckles for 20 minutes at a time, try allowing him or her to nurse for 15 minutes only. This will reduce the “trauma” you might imagine your kid receiving at the prospect of weaning. Most babies will hardly notice the slight time differential during feedings.

The change will be less noticeable to your child if you use a distraction to keep him or her from realizing that you have decreased the time spent nursing at the breast. There are many fun and easy ways to distract your kid, and we’ll talk more about them a little later.

Keep in mind that most children get into a routine. You have the ability to change this routine and thus make the weaning process easier. This is also a critical step in the weaning process. How do you go about changing your child’s routine?

Start by changing the way you end your nursing session; if, for example, you normally cuddle and sit with your child after breastfeeding, try reading a book together or playing a game instead. This will not only serve as an excellent distraction, but it will also work to keep your kid entertained and well attended to. You might also consider enlisting the help of dad after a feeding. Hand your child off to dad and allow them to cuddle, play, tickle and talk. Your child will be so excited to have the opportunity to spend time with dad that he or she will be much less likely to fuss at the slightly reduced feeding time.

Many children come to associate breastfeeding with love and affection. To minimize the distress of gradual weaning, be sure that you offer additional cuddling and affection separate from breastfeeding. Consider allowing your kid to sit in your lap more often, or read to, rock or cuddle him or her for a few extra minutes every day before naps. This will help ensure that he or she continues to feel loved and adored, and will reduce any anxiety that may surface as a result of weaning.

I have discovered that another great way to change up your child’s routine is to change the location in which you normally breastfeed. If you traditionally nurse in a rocker, for instance, try moving to the couch or kitchen. This will not only serve to distract your child but will also help him or her realize that a new routine is being developed.

One critical strategy that all moms should keep in mind when weaning is covering the breasts. The old saying “out of sight, out of mind” truly helps when weaning. You should always keep your breasts covered when you are not nursing. Some children will want to nurse simply because they have seen your breast.

Another great tip for getting started is changing the order in which you feed your child. Most babies older than 6 months will be supplementing with some solid foods. Consider weaning during the time of day that your child normally has a meal that is comprised of more than just breast milk. Feed your child first, before offering the breast. Chances are that he or she will fill up more on solids and thus be less interested in nursing. You may even be able to eliminate nursing altogether during this time.

Getting started isn’t nearly as difficult as it sounds. With a little thought and planning, you’ll be able to develop a strategy that works well for both you and your child.

By: Kristi Patrice Carter

About the Author:
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