How do I stop breastfeeding my 17 month old?

Understanding the Weaning Process
Weaning your 17-month-old from breastfeeding can be a significant transition for both you and your child. It’s essential to approach this process with care and consideration, ensuring that it is a gradual and gentle experience. The decision to stop breastfeeding is deeply personal and should be based on what feels right for both you and your baby.
Timing and Readiness
The first step in this journey is to assess readiness. Both you and your child should feel prepared for this change. According to health experts, the weaning process can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months, allowing both your body and your child to adjust to the new routine. It’s crucial to listen to your child’s cues and to your own feelings about stopping breastfeeding.
Gradual Reduction of Feedings
A gradual approach is often recommended. You might start by dropping one breastfeeding session per week, particularly the one that is least convenient for you or the one your child seems least interested in. This method helps to minimize discomfort for you and allows your child to adapt to the change without feeling overwhelmed. As you reduce the number of feedings, you can also stretch out the time between sessions, gradually transitioning to bottles or solid foods.
Creating New Routines
To facilitate this transition, consider establishing new routines that replace breastfeeding. For instance, if your child typically nurses before naps or bedtime, you might introduce a new calming activity, such as reading a story or singing a lullaby, to help them wind down. This not only distracts them from the absence of breastfeeding but also reinforces a sense of security and comfort.
Limiting Nursing Locations
Another effective strategy is to limit where breastfeeding occurs. By reducing the environments in which your child can nurse, you can help them associate certain places with other activities instead. This can be particularly useful if you’ve nursed in various locations, as it helps to create a clearer boundary around breastfeeding.
Emotional Support and Communication
Throughout this process, emotional support is vital. Both you and your child may experience a range of feelings, from sadness to relief. Open communication with your child, even at this young age, can help them understand the changes. Reassure them that they are still loved and cared for, even as breastfeeding comes to an end.
Monitoring Physical Changes
As you stop breastfeeding, be aware that your body will undergo changes. You may notice differences in breast size and shape, which can take time to stabilize. It’s essential to be patient with yourself during this period and to seek support if you experience discomfort or emotional challenges.
Conclusion
Weaning your 17-month-old from breastfeeding is a journey that requires patience, understanding, and love. By taking a gradual approach, creating new routines, and providing emotional support, you can make this transition smoother for both you and your child. Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution; what matters most is finding a path that feels right for your family.

How do I wean my 17 month old from breastfeeding?

Gradually reduce the number of breastfeeding sessions. Start by dropping one feed at a time, perhaps beginning with daytime feeds before tackling bedtime or morning feeds. Don’t offer the breast at routine times, but when starting the weaning process, don’t refuse when asked.

Why does my 17 month old still want to nurse?

As a general rule, toddlers do nurse less often, mostly as nursing sessions are replaced by solid food. But toddlers don’t just nurse for nutrition or quench their thirst; they do so when they are craving connection, attention, are tired, bored, etc. So your toddler may want to nurse a lot sometimes.

How to stop breastfeeding an 18 month old naturally?

Tips to reduce breastfeeding an older child
You might find the following tips help: Don’t offer breastfeeds, but don’t refuse if your baby or child wants one. Change your routine, for example by not sitting in the chair where you’d normally breastfeed. Meet their need for closeness with lots of special time together.

How long does it take for a toddler to forget about breastfeeding?

Take it slow.
Some moms commit to weaning right away, with their toddlers fully weaned within a few weeks or a month or so.

Is it normal for an 18 month old to still breastfeed?

Breastfeeding beyond babyhood is normal
You may worry that if you don’t initiate an end to breastfeeding, your child will ‘nurse forever’. But children outgrow breastfeeding on their own, just as they outgrow other toddler behaviours.

How often should a 17 month old breastfeed?

This answer varies greatly from one toddler to the next. Some mothers and nurslings have slowly decreased the number of breastfeeding sessions they have each day and may find that at this age, their toddler is breastfeeding as little as once or twice a day.

Is my baby self weaning or on a nursing strike?

A baby who is truly ready to wean will almost always do so gradually, over a period of weeks or months. If your baby or toddler has been breastfeeding well and suddenly refuses to nurse, it is probably what is called a “nursing strike,” rather than a signal that it’s time to wean.

Can I stop breastfeeding at 17 months?

The World Health Organization recommends that all babies be exclusively breastfed for 6 months, then gradually introduced to appropriate foods after 6 months while continuing to breastfeed for 2 years or beyond. Stopping breastfeeding is called weaning. It is up to you and your baby to decide when the time is right.

At what age is breastfeeding no longer beneficial?

But Dr Max Davie, from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, says there is limited evidence of additional nutritional benefit beyond the age of two. “By the age of two, a child should get all the nutrients required through their diet so there is no additional benefit to breastfeeding over this age.”

What is a nursing strike for a 17 month old?

Some common reason why babies may go on strike are: Your baby is not feeling well. It could be from a cold, ear infection, stuffy nose, upset stomach, injury, teething, thrush, cold sore, or other reasons. Your baby is upset.