Weaning Baby

Why do you want to stop breastfeeding so early? I'm sure you know you can pump milk during the day at work for your baby to have while you're away. Why not at least continue to breastfeed him when you're home in the eventing? Nutritionally and emotionally, it's healthy. (In many other countries, women breastfeed at least until 2 yrs.) I've started back to work, as well. My son is 5 mos, and I still breastfeed f/t.

Congrats on your little one...Iunderstand the need/want to stop breast feeing as well. My kids are VERY healthy and stopped both at 6 months old. they are very active, healthy and social...I needed to for work. Dont be discouraged as you are not a better Mom if you breast feed for 4 months or 2 years! THAT being said, I would try a pacifier. There is no harm (Or they wouldnt be made and Dr's would discouarge them) and some kids (like my son) reaaly need that sucking motion to help sooth themselves. Stopping the paciifer was really easy too. we only used it at night and he eventually slept through the night and then didnt need it anymore. You can read articles on everything and there is always negative spins out there. Do whats best for your little one, and what seems to soothe him, without sacrificing your sleep or yourself too much, and he will be ok! Good luck.... :)

Why make him work against what nature is telling him he needs to do? I went back to work full-time when my kids where this age. He may eventually take a bottle while you are gone, but sometimes they will hold out while you are gone. He can have some baby food and whatever liquid he might accept while you are gone. It is helpful if you don't wean him now, because it will be enough of a transition with your being away all day. The extra comfort of nursing when you are home will help him feel more secure. Don't worry breastfed babies do learn to cluster feed when mom is home from work. (I work 9 AM-6 PM).

Dear S.,

There is probably no reliable way to make him "forget" breastfeeding. The sucking reflex is hardrwired into human infants, and there are many adults who still suck their thumbs. There is no harm in giving a baby under 1 year a pacifier, and if you are ok with it, there is no reason to deny your baby the enjoyment and comfort of his mother's breast. It is the ultimate feeling of happiness and well-being. It is a beautiful bonding experience for both of you that will contribute to your closeness for the rest of your lives. Relax and enjoy it !

He's *only* 5.5 months, do you *need* to stop nursing him?? It's good for him (and you) so unless there's a reason it's not good to nurse, why not go ahead and nurse? I didn't wean my son till he was 14-15 months and at that point it was easy for him (I was scared to stop, thinking it'd be hard but he didnt have a problem with it at all at that age)

It's GOOD that your baby misses you and wants you. He knows who the most important person in his life is! Cuddle him, all you can, even when you're 'cuddled out' at the moment. When he's a little older, you wont be able to cuddle him when you want to.

5 months is very early to wean. He obviously needs more and you are so good to nurse him the minute you reconnect. He will adjust to gramma during the work day and she should hold him all he wants. Lucky if that satisfies him. He is feeling abandoned by you. Keep nursing as often as you are available (after work night and morning) up until one or two years of age. You will never regret it even if at times it seems hard. Your mom should try reading books singing songs and playing finger games while holding and rocking him. He will soon be crawling and playing away from her lap, but he is lucky to have it as a substitute for his mommy. Carry on. You are doing the right thing . Don't even try to make him forget and easily be diverted from such a primal need.

Oh Sweetie, I feel for you. I just weaned my 2 year old a month ago. I know, I know...that's a VERY long time to be nursing. All my others were weaned MUCH sooner. But anyway, it's not about making him "forget about it"...it's about sticking to your guns. My little guy is still asking for it daily. I just keep telling him no...that "boo boo is all gone." That's pretty much all you can do. Every time you give in though, he knows he has the control. (I know that sounds stupid with a 5.5 month old, but the longer you wait, the more stubborn he will be.) If you have decided that now is the time to wean, you need to just do it. If you only want to nurse him once a day...just nurse him that one time a day. He'll get used to the "routine" ONLY if YOU stick to it. He's a baby...he'll follow YOUR lead. If you give in every time he cries, he knows to cry every time. It's not going to be easy, but it is possible. You just need to set a schedule and STICK TO IT. You can take one feeding away at a time, or you can quit cold turkey...the ball is always in YOUR court! Decide how it's gonna be and stick to it. Maybe get your hubby and mom to support you...and hold you accountable. I know how it is when you just want to give in, but if they are there to remind you to stick it out, you'll be much more successful. Good Luck and God bless you and yours!

M. H.

First I must say that I applaud you for not offering a pacifer.

You said it yourself that your baby misses you, and that he is asking for the nursing COMFORT. His world has changed, and he needs you, he needs reassurance from you. Asking how to make him forget breast feeding and do other things is like asking how to make him not want to bond with you.

If you need a moment when you get home then make a plan that when you get home he'll be in another room so he doesn't see you right away. That should give you enough time to use the rest room and get a bit of a refreshment before going to your baby. Then you'll feel better and be able to breastfeed in a better mood.

Also breast feeding can be relaxing for you too! I remember breast feeding my little one, I'd make sure I was all nice and comfy before starting. I'd either have a book to hand or a DVD playing. Sometimes I'd just lay back with some pleasant music on and take a short doze. Sometimes I'd have all the options at my finger tips in case I changed my mind! I'd also have water and a snack at hand as well.

While prepping I'd talk to my baby, telling her what I'm doing and that real soon we'll have a nice comfy relaxing time together and how great that'll be, yadda yadda. That helps baby be patient.

Try this, and I bet dollars to donuts that your attitude about breastfeeding after work will change.

I went back to work when my child was 4-months old. We did bottles during the day and nursing when I got home from work. I missed being with my baby and enjoyed the bonding time nursing in the evenings. Over time as my baby got older and more active, nursing time decreased to only through the night. We weaned night nursing at around 20 months by having Dad put baby to sleep and my sleeping in another room.

Do you NEED to wean him? This is early! His behavior is entirely normal for a child that is breastfed at home & in daycare of some sort during the day. Eventually he will stop asking Grandma to nurse, but he is going to keep wanting some as soon as you walk in the door, of course. You've been gone all day, and you're Mama, and, at this age (& to a certain extent even with my 19-month-old!), nursing is a part of how Mama loves him. There are so many, many benefits to breastfeeding over formula that it would be SO much better for your little boy if you can ride out this rough patch. A pacifier during the day might not be an entirely bad thing--babies have a biological need to suck. Maybe talk to your local LaLeche League ladies for more advice/coping strategies?

Hello - All three of my kids were bottle fed during the day from 6 months on as I went back to work and breast fed till 2 years of age on my evenings and days off. A paci did not cause any stir in their digestion or ability to nurse. Good luck!

A.

Hello....I wanted to suggest possibly coming home on your lunch to breastfeed. Maybe your son is not ready t o go that many hours without. Depending on how far your work is from your home, maybe your mother could drive him to your work so he could nurse in the middle of the day. Just an idea....good luck.

Just out of curiosity, why not offer him nursing comfort with a pacifier?
(It's super easy to wean from pacifiers when you need to.)

The two things in his life that were a constant: Mom AND the closeness of Nursing were suddenly taken away. They're gone all day. Up to now he's had you there for him 24/7. There is nothing wrong with giving him additional comfort to help him adjust to this change in his little world.

(According to my Pediatric Dentist, pacifier sucking doesn't damage permanent teeth unless they're still sucking them at age 4.)

As for actual nursing, can you pump milk while at work for your Mom to give to him the next day? Are you too worn out to nurse him when you get home and before bed?

Good Luck with what ever solution you come up with!
K.

If he needs the comfort of sucking, give him a pacifier. Not having mommy around and trying to wean at the same time is a big deal for a 5 1/2 month old. A pacifier would be a good transition tool. Babies don't forget to breastfeed, or want to stop. He derives comfort from breastfeeding so you need to offer something in its place. I'm not sure why you feel it is important to stop breastfeeding so early, but if you are going to, give him a pacifier or something to compensate for the lack of what he feels is comfort. Try is you might be surprised. Wanting to suck is a natural thing for a baby, even a 5 1/2 month old. Again, he won't forget about breastfeeding because that is what is his comfort. Good luck

Hi there,

I've heard that it's quite common for babies to nurse all evening/night to make up for not nursing during the day when mommy is away. Maybe if you let him nurse more when you are together, instead of less, then he'll feel satisfied and be able to be distracted when you are gone? Just and idea. Good luck!

H.

p.s. Also, can your mom carry him in a sling when you aren't there? That way he can feel close to her and she won't feel as burdened holding him all the time?

On the one hand, the title of the post is "weaning baby", on the other hand, you didn't talk that much about weaning in the body of the post itself, so I'm not sure if my response will be helpful. But here goes.

I returned to working F-T when my son was 3 months old. I decided to pump for bottles while at work and nurse in person when I was available. My son decided he didn't want a bottle, and he would often have only 4-6oz of milk from a bottle during the 9 hours I was away from him, then he would nurse every 2 hours till he went to sleep at 11 or midnight. He slept till 6, nursed then, and slept for another 6 hours. When I was home on weekends, he would nurse again then, then nurse every 2 or 3 hours. When I was at work, he would take not accept a bottle till around 2pm, then wait for me to come home from work to take anything else. Any efforts to feed him more breast milk from a bottle let to crying and frustration from both my son and the caregiver.
It's hard for me to imagine how to help an infant forget to eat his basic food and to divert him to activities (my little one wasn't that mobile till after he was 6 1/2 months old).