Hey everyone, does anyone have any practical advice for weaning a 3 year old from breastfeeding. I’m a stay at home mum and we co-sleep. He wants to feed constantly throughout the night and the morning, and it’s having a really negative affect on me. He will scream for it and I give in as I am exhausted. I have tried talking to him and saying he is a big boy now and he doesn’t need it anymore, but it’s not working and I am at wits end. Help please!
Weaning 3 year old from breastfeeding
Weaning 3 year old from breastfeeding
Posted in:
Mental Health, Anxiety & Depression, Self Care, Parenthood Guilt, Baby & Toddler, Baby Feeding, Kids
7 Replies
You have to be tough with him and I guess you've already tried offering alternatives and rewards. Last resort would be removing yourself from him for a while, he sees you as his milk cow and that's got to stop.
You just say nope. Boobs are closed. Offer milk in a sippy cup. Ive heard of people putting vegemite and even chilli (not recommending) on their boobs when theyre done so the kid thinks its yuk and doesnt want it anymore.
Sounds like maybe you need to be more firm and consistent with the no. Wear clothes/bras that don’t make it easily accessible. Offer alternatives or distraction when he asks for it. If he screams then you’re just going to have to be strong, stay calm but continue to say no. He’s worked out that screaming gets him his own way so it’ll take some time and consistency for him to realise that you mean no.
If you have the option then I know several people that had a weekend away from their child, either sent them to grandparents/family or left child home with dad and mum went away for a few days, to break the cycle and that was very effective. Plus it’ll give you a break too
Put on fake nipples/stickers and show him they are now "gone". You can also put chilli oil or similar on there to make it taste disgusting.
Be VERY firm and consistent, wear a tight bra to bed for a few nights and not let him have access to them. Offer another comforter to swap them out :)
You have to be tough let him scream. Tell him there is no more milk now.you just have to put up with the screaming until he gets it and it sinks in until he stops. Get a bottle maybe once a night.
Mine was 2.5 when I weaned her, and I used to count down when she asked - "You can have 10 boo-ah (milk) and then that's it" she'd latch on, I would count slowly to 10 and then it would be done.
I would make the countdowns quicker over time, distract from the question if I could and she'd forget. I would also let her cuddle me and use her dummy if she was going to sleep.
I would just tell him….. you’re a big boy now, the milk is all gone and offer him an alternative.
Put bandaids over your nipples so he can access them.