Expert: ruth kraft - 4/20/2009

Question
QUESTION: Dear Ruth,
I have been breast feeding my son now for almost 10 months since I am planning to return to work next month I would like to eliminate breastfeeding during his nap time only since he would be at day care during that time and I want him to get use to not needing to be breastfed to nap I would also would like to continue to breastfeed him before going to work and at bed time. He does usually nap twice a day, once in the morning and once in the afternoon. The only way he naps is when I breastfeed him and he falls sleep. I have tried to leave him on his own to fall sleep with no success I have also tried to offer him bottle which he does refuse I would appreciate any advise that would help me with his napping.

Kind Regards
Bahar

ANSWER: Start by offering the breast for only a minute and then telling him the breasts need a nap too. and shorten feedings like this each day. then slowly he will learn that you will rock him and be there and not associate it with nursing.  that is usually the easiest.

I do have to share though, that most babies, nurse when being put down for a nap only from their mother. As many  children as I have baby sat and nannied for, I never have a problem because I dont have the breasts that work.  :) so chances are, you really don't need to wean. Your baby is going to adjust perfectly fine with you not being there for those hours and will want to nurse when you get home. They are smart enough to know that. I only offer that because if you are ok with it, it will make his tansition actually easier  if he till nurses from you. as being weaned and then not being with mom, although it sounds good to us, is actually 2 really big adjustements for a little one to make.

Do what feels best to you. :) I hoep that helped!

Ruth Kraft
honoiringwomen.com

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for the answer to my first question your answer put my mind at some ease since I would have preferred to continue until he is gone to nursery however I have two further related questions one, will he be able to nap at the nursery without being breast fed and also how can I compensate for loss of essential milk quantity that he gets when I feed him at nap times. I must say that I only offer one breast at each nap time so I am assuming once I get home if I feed him from both breast it should compensate and finally what about breast engorgement and if it does happen how do I deal with it while I am at work.

Answer
Yes, he will nap at the nursrey without breastfeeding. You can send a pacifier and a bottle if he will take them, then the person putting him down will have that as a plan . it might take him a day or two to get used to it but he will learn the new routine and be fine.

The body is an amazing thing and oddly enough, the breasts will also learn, just like he is, thenew routine.  If you only nurse from one side each time and the other breast doesnt get engorged, then I would imagine you wont have an engorgment problem. however, if you do, take a hand pump with you and excuse yourself and pump only to comfort while at work. your freshly pumped milk will be good for 8 hours room temp. long enough to bring it home and then eve send it the following day while he is at the nurrey.  if you have time , you can pump at your lunch , and send that the following day. then he gets breast milk and you never get engorged :)