While Chico was feeding on his bottle and Sati on my breast, I asked Sati if she’s ready to move to bottle.. and a violent AYAW says it all. Chico on the other hand asked her if she wants to drink GATAS (milk) on the bottle. Sati answered, “Ayaw ko ng Gatas!” huh? ayaw daw ng gaats eh panay ang dede.. turns out, my milk is DEDE.. and it’s not Gatas!
That reminds me about weaning.. so for our Tuesday Parenting Tip, let’s talk about weaning.
Scientifically, weaning is the process where the baby stops nursing and also the time where in adult diet is introduced to the baby and all his nutrient sources is no longer the breast.
When is the right time to wean?
Reading would suggest that moms need to continue breastfeeding until the baby is 6 months. Our pediatrician also mentioned that and we should breastfeed exclusively for 6 months. After that, it is our choice if we want to continue or wean the baby and start feeding them with formula. I choose to feed them as long as I can.. but with my first born, pregnancy comes in the way and I had to wean him when he turns one. With my second boy, he was breastfed for 1 year and 8 months. My third son’s case was the same with my first born, pregnancy came in the way. As with my youngest, you know I’m still breastfeeding her until now.. she is 2 years old and 4 months.
My experiences weaning my kids led me to a conclusion that the right time to wean a baby is before they turn a year old. Anything later than that is not advisable. Why? As the kid turns one, they were old enough to understand but young enough not to argue. Just like what happened to my first born.. when I told him he can no longer have mommy’s milk as soon as he turns one, he never asked for it after his birthday party. It was quite sad for me.. I was expecting commotions.. The same thing happened with my third son, when I started weaning him, it took him only a week to get used to it.
The story of my second born was different.. in fact telling I have a hard time weaning him is an understatement. It was riot and the whole household can attest to that. Husband complains of lack of sleep… good thing he had to leave for US for 3 weeks and that’s how I finally won in weaning. What went wrong? He is old enough to know what he wants and knows how to get it through tantrums.
Stress Free Parenting Tips On Weaning
- Start early. As I have mentioned, the age is very important as it can make or break the weaning process.
- Start gradually. Cold turkey maybe effective to some but to me, gradually reducing the feeding is more effective. If you’re baby use to feed 3 times on day and 2 times at night, start reducing it one feeding at a time.
- Increase the break time. If you’re baby love feeding every 3 hours, try increasing it to 3 hours and 30 minutes and so on.
- Simultaneously, reduce the time that they spent on your breast.
- Do not introduce bottle feeding yet, delay it for a few more weeks or until the baby is almost ready to give up your milk.
When a baby is old enough, like with my second born, the most effective way to wean them is to decrease their supply gradually. It takes time, sleep and a lot of effort. And it will take a lot of tears too, just remember that if you are determined to wean the baby, do not give up.
I’ll let you in to my little secret.. with Sati, it’s me that would needs weaning.. yes, I just can’tlet go of this little girl.. it’s a little bit selfish, what can I do? she’s my only girl *wink
Jenny says
March 13, 2012 at 11:35 amhi pehpot! actually, the weaning referred to at 6 months is not weaning from breastfeeding. you wean at 6 months because baby can start eating solids. BUT breastfeeding should continue until 2 years and beyond. that is the recommendation of the WHO. you don’t give formula at 6 months. if you can breastfeed, continue to do so. and it is great that you are continuing to breastfeed your girl at 2 years and 4 months! congratulations!
pehpot says
March 13, 2012 at 4:55 pmoh thanks Jenny! I still can’t let go of this little girl 🙂 I think will be like this as long as she wants 🙂
The Soul Explorer says
March 13, 2012 at 12:25 pmI wish to have a kid! Hehehe!
Badet says
March 14, 2012 at 10:28 amI still breastfeed Gwen at night, she is 1 year and 2 months. I wanted to wean her too because she can’t sleep without nursing which is bad if I’m not around during her bedtime.
nicquee says
March 15, 2012 at 10:44 amAlex breastfed until she was 3 and I had to ask her to stop because I was preggy with Maxyn already and I cannot take her pangungutong anymore. LOL. She was studying then already and all we did was tell her teacher about it. When she came home, she said she will drink from the glass instead.
As with Maxyn, I am going for child-lead weaning again although sometimes, I get really tired when she refuses to let go of the breast even when she is already asleep.
Breastfeeding entails a lot of commitment and perseverance, and support too. But I know some moms who have all these already, still, they are unable to breastfeed their children exclusively, due to other factors, unknown to us.
Breastfeeding or not, I still believe that we, moms, rock!
Lessons Of A Dad says
March 15, 2012 at 12:22 pmI’m glad my wife breastfed our kids until around 2 years old. She gave up a LOT to be able to do that for them, and I’m very grateful.
The kids now are so intelligent and healthy.
Icar says
March 17, 2012 at 4:42 pmI am having some problems now, actually I wanted to wean my daughter who is 14months but she is still very “attached” to me and my milk, I’m having some spells lately as if my milk is slowly decreasing in supply. I wanted to do mixed feeding to slowly wean her out but I have no guarantee that she will drink/ like it and it is expensive. We’re actually migrating soon to the US to join my hubby and he told me that pediatricians there are encouraging to go for normal/fresh milk after the child turns 1 instead of formula milk that we’re used to here. I am really having confusion right now on what to do…mukhang mahihirapan ako dito…thanks for the tips sis…
pehpot says
March 17, 2012 at 6:06 pmwhy would you want to wean her?