Weaning a Toddler
Some women are able to breastfeed their child all the way up till the child is a toddler. This is quite an amazing accomplishment. Giving a child breast milk all the way till toddlerhood is common, but direct breastfeeding is quite rare. By the time your child reaches toddlerhood, they are likely to have been mixed feeding for a while. This can work in your favor when weaning a toddler.
The first thing to do is talk to your child about their breastfeeding. Depending on how many times you breastfeed each day, discuss a gradual stop in breastfeeding with your child, similar to the process discussed in the article How to Wean Your Child. Removing feeding sessions gradually is still best for your child.
Involve them in the process. Their involvement can make them feel better, like it’s their decision too, and it will also help them understand why they have to now stop breastfeeding and eat regularly like mommy and daddy. Telling them that this is part of getting older and growing up will also help.
To help your child along, try introducing exciting new foods you know they will like. Showing your child the wonderful world of food is one way they can leave breastfeeding behind without feeling badly. You can also give them rewards if they complete an entire day without breastfeeding. Encouraging your child through positive reinforcement will help them make this transition easily.
Remember to give your toddler time to adjust to this change. When you wean with a toddler, the relationship dynamic changes slightly and this can be strange and confusing for them. Oftentimes, breastfeeding was a comforting act for them more than a nourishing one. It was something they could rely on and were used to. If your toddler usually breastfed at night and fell asleep with you, you can continue to let them stay with you till they fall asleep in order to help them with the transition.
If you have breastfed your child all the way up to toddlerhood, you may find that it’s difficult for your breasts to stop lactating or producing milk. This could be because you have produced milk for so long. Try any of the methods for stopping lactation that are discussed later in the article How to Stop Lactation, or discuss your options with your doctor.
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