Breastfeeding/weaning 1 year old

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Expert: - 10/2/2007


Question
Hi there.
my baby is turning 1  in a few days time and I am in two minds to wean or not. She drinks at 7pm, during the night and 1st thing in the morning. She also gets a little formula milk out of a bottle at night. Sometimes after having her bottle she still fusses and then I breastfeed her. If I wean, how will I handle the fussiness after a bottle when she seems to want the breast?
Liezl

Answer
Hello Liezl - being ready to wean really varies greatly mother to mother.  The bonding experience for both you and your daughter is the beauty of nature's bond.  That said, she fusses after the bottle not from hunger but from wanting your comfort.  Some say a bit of regular schedule and a tad of tough love helps in the transition.  I also offer a technique of "distraction".  You have a child like most that learns the comfort of breastfeeding as a reassuring sensation in addition to the comforting that she has known from birth :)     Also at 12 months, she will become more and more curious about the world around her, so introducing new items as simple as sometimes a spoon and metal pot can change her from promoting the behavior to you breastfeeding.  But that's not a great idea for the night time feeding you mention. But try to introduce something new, maybe a comforting nighttime blanket in her arms or a plush stuffed animal safe for a one year old.  You many continue until you find things that not only takes her mind from the nursing routine, but will also stimulate her mental development as you'll see she'll crave it quickly.  You are her favorite pacifer for sure, and again, it's so comforting to her and reassuring...so you can work to replace that bond with other quality time like ready before bed. As you can see, it's another learned event that your daughter will learn...and not that it will replace what she is missing thru the comfort of breastfeeding, but she will learn new experiences to enjoy with you as she grows both mentally and physically.   Life is going to be a bit of an experiment for a bit...but rest assured, as she grows and becomes open to more things...  Good luck!!

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Sue Ennis

Expertise

I am looking to support the segment of mothers that encounter engorgement issues that prevent them from continuing to breastfeeding, those that do not breastfeed or are ready to start weaning. As an aside, I wish to add that questions asked in terms of those not breastfeeding will not be given guilt for their choice. In many forums, including this one, there is currently no category developed for this "not breastfeeding" audience. I do believe that breastfeeding is best for both mother and child, however, I believe more strongly that there is a lack of support for the woman that for either personal or medical reasons cannot breastfeed. My strengths would be in answering questions related to stopping breast milk production comfortably either right after delivery or after nursing their children for some time, reducing breast engorgement pain and dealing with overactive lactation. Questions I would not try to answer are those tied to emotional feelings as I feel many times women that don't/can't breastfeed struggle with it...and that should be directed to the appropriate counseling channel.

Experience

I am the inventor and founder of LaMa Bra and for years have researched the human body functions, both in process and emotions/hormones to develop a bra to help mother slow or stop their breast milk.

Education/Credentials
I hold a BS in General Biology, a MS in Human Nutrition and an MBA in Marketing.
Also, am the the founder of LaMa Bra found at http://www.lamabra.com that has helped many women with engorgement while breastfeeding and through stages of weaning when ready to stop breastfeeding.

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