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If you are like most parents, you really would love a few extra months of keeping your child a baby. But, as they grow you have to make decisions, including decisions about weaning the child. Weaning your child can be a challenge, but for some people the challenge is harder than for others. What could be behind this difficulty? There could be many things but it is important for you to know what is happening with your child so that you can ensure that the child is emotionally all right with the process. For those mothers who are struggling with the weaning process, you may want to take some extra time to figure out why. Normally, a child will resist somewhat especially if they are hungry. In this case, you will need to ensure the child is being fed properly and is getting the necessary calories he or she needs. Talk with your paediatrician about how many calories your child needs for their age, size and weight. Once you know they are getting the right amount of calories, here are some other things to think about when struggling with breastfeeding weaning. 1. Is your child struggling because he or she is not getting enough time with mom? For example, if you have just said no more and the child is without a lot of time for you, they may miss this intimate time and be craving it. 2. Have there been changes in their schedule they are not adjusting to? You should try to adjust one thing at a time for the child so that they do not feel like they are in constant flux. 3. Have you gone back to work? Again, if they are not getting their fill of mom, they may start trying to breastfeed because this is a guarantee of cuddle and love time. 4. Is the child sick? Some children need the comfort and "feel good" that comes from being close to mom when they are not feeling well. Children that are sic will also want to nurse more than those that are not. 5. Notice any major changes in your home? If so, this could be why your child is struggling. When there are no other signs that there is a difficulty, your child may just need more time. Give them the time they need. You may want to stop trying to breastfeed for a while and then go back to it in a month or so. They will eventually stop breast-feeding; it just depends on when they are ready to. There are many different opinions on when you should wean your child from breastfeeding. The indications are all different and, in truth, you should consider this a process that is specific to you and to your child. Each child is very different in the way they feel and react to baby weaning. By most accounts, the best way to know if your child is ready to wean is to simply allow the process to take place naturally. This is actually how most mothers and children will go through the process and it is likely to be the best route for you and your child to go through, too. It is ideal for your baby to simply outgrow breastfeeding. This is a natural weaning, sometimes called a baby led weaning. It is important to know what your baby needs, as each child is unique. You may find that your child needs more time than your first child to make this break from breastfeeding. If you look at your child's other areas of development you may already know what the child will need. For example, some children demand to be held more. Other children like to play alone. You would not normally force a child to develop differently in these other areas which means you really should not do so at this point either. It is essential that you allow the child to develop as they naturally would. Do not set a time for how long your child will nurse or not. Try to be more flexible about the entire process. This process should be one that happens as naturally as possible so that there is no limitation or risk to either of you during the process. Do you know what the first step in the process is? The first step is as simple as giving your child his or her first bites of food. As you start thinking about baby weaning, realize that this is not a first event. Unlike giving that first bite of food, the process is not something that you just decide to do one day Rather, it is a process that often takes a few month of adjustment and a slow moving one at that. Give your child the ability to grow and develop as it feels right to do. This ultimately will give you and him the best ability to work through baby weaning together. Baby weaning is an enjoyable process then. Night weaning is a process that involves aiding a breastfed baby to stop taking feedings at night. Just like babies who are bottle fed, the process is a good one for the child. You want the child to sleep through the night, without needing to wake up to take a feeding. Each child is different in terms of how long it will take for them to sleep through the entire night, but it is often necessary to take steps to enable the process along. Remember that night weaning only affects the night. Most parents will want to consider feeding their baby throughout the day by breast. A child is likely to sleep through the night as long as they have enough calories in their system to keep them satisfied throughout the night. This is not something that most children will be able to do within the first weeks of their lives simply because they are too young and have stomachs that are too small. Usually, by the time a child is four to six months of age, they are taking in enough calories throughout the day that they should not need to feed at night, for at least five to six hours at a time. Some babies may need to feed for longer, and some babies will night wean far sooner than this. Some babies need to feed at night by breast because they need this not only for the food, but for the closeness it allows them. For example, perhaps you have gone back to work. Your child is now seeing you less and bonding with you less. They may wake up at night wanting to breastfeed not because they are hungry but most so because the child is hoping to hold on to more time with mom. This can be a common need especially as your child develops emotionally. Take the time to approach night feeding only when it feels like. Do not try to force the situation on your child since he or she is not likely to take to this well. Rather, they are going to keep waking you up until they are satisfied that they are getting e enough attention from you. Night weaning can and should be considered when your child is old enough and is willing to wean. You can start the process along once the child reaches between four and six months. |
