Expert: ruth kraft - 7/17/2009

Question
My toddler is 2 years old and is breastfed since birth. I
have already reduced feeing to only naps and nights. But she
still wakes up several times at night to feed. I feel that
she just needs the sucking comfort. She's already 2 and I
think I need to wean her off to get a good 8 hr rest at
night. How can i do this peacefully?

Answer
Whatever methods you used to wean her back to these few feedings, do the same with the rest. those seemed to be successful so I would continue useing those.  At 2 years old she can understand personal space, so you can just talk to her and tell her that there is a new rule and the breasts have to sleep at night just like she does, and then refuse to give her the breast.  you can try only one feeding at a time by delaying each feeding. Example, if you put her down at 8 pm for bed and she wakes at midnight for a feeding, tell her your breasts are still sleeping and shell have to wait till next time... cuddle her back to sleep and then wean her slowly like that each feeding delaying it until you finally have none left. She still may wake and stir but you just continue on . Routine is the best thing for kids. establish a routine that doesnt involve nursing and you'll both be good :)  there is also a book called the no cry sleep solution. she tells you in detail how to watch and see the best way for your child by going into great detail about sleep patterns etc...