How to wean off breastfeeding

Not sure, I didn’t try this, I just went cold turkey instead. My little girl loved the boob so so much. And it wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought. She was really distraught the first night, a little upset the second night, and almost fine the third night. I just said ‘no’ and ‘all gone’. It’s been two weeks, she’s asked occasionally but hasn’t been upset at all when I’ve said no.

I also went cold turkey last month, he cried hysterically for 7 nights straight and we went through an awful time as I’m also expecting baby no.3 but he’s completely forgotten about it now. Think he only just asked for it once since and I kinda just distracted him. Think we’re completely done for good 🤞

If your child is 2 they would likely benefit from verbal prep and you helping prepare them for the transition. There are weaning books you can read together.

I tried putting on lemon juice after my mum told me but he just made a face & didn’t care because boob is life apparently😂. Went cold turkey & replaced night feeds with his water bottle. After a week of hell, he still pulls on my top when he sees skin but other than that we’re doing good.

Tiger balm is cruel 😩

Please don’t do anything cruel just apply age appropriate boundaries

Not weaned my baby but agree with GMF and how probably talking about it and a narrative will be more appropriate. Putting something on and especially tiger balm (?) doesn’t seem like the right way to go about it. Again, as GMF said, there are books you can read together (Booby moon, Jessie’s milkies, loads more!). You will also need to hand express, not to empty the beast but to keep them comfortable to avoid getting blocked ducts/mastitis.

I’ve fully weaned from breast to bottle/formula now :’( it was a great journey but still having to hand express as they seem too produce at night as the morning feed was the last feed to drop

Thank you for your tips. I didn’t know about the books so will look into it. I don’t want to do anything cruel. I tried to wean him but nothing worked. I tried giving him milk from a bottle, I tried to distract him, I tried to explain. I tried not to give it to him but watching him cry just kills me. I was hoping the tiger balm (or alternative) would just make him want the boob less as it’s not tasting as good and one day he just won’t be asking for it anymore. I just don’t know what to do.

@Lyna honestly mama I’ve been there too, you’re not alone. I tried all these things too until I was at a breaking point. Going cold turkey was the last resort and only way for us. I hope you manage to find a way soon x

Hi Lyna, I am a breastfeeding counselor. We really don't recommend any methods that create negative associations such as balms, oils, lemon juice etc. these are not gentle on baby and can cause more distress than necessary. Cold turkey is also not considered a gentle method and is also not healthiest for you. We would generally discuss options for reducing feeds initially. How often does he currently feed? Some mothers I work with find distraction the easiest. But combined with not saying "no" often it's actually the "no" the little one is reacting to. We initially aim to distract through to when the next feed would be, you could say something like "yes hunny, mummy is just making dinner first, would you like to help" or "after mummy has tidying the kitchen" and basically keep adding in things to do instead of nursing. We also find offering food helps too. It's important to remember that when you implement a new boundary, your child is going to get upset. It's ok for them to be upset.

Your job isn't to fix the upset, but to help them through it. Sometimes that means a cuddle, talking, or just sitting close by. Some mum's find using a visual aid to reduce feeding length helps, like a sand timer, or even singing a song, to make the feeds shorter and shorter. Some people will go out and make yourself too busy that little one won't ask. For others that doesn't work as they have ones that get overstimulated, so keeping your days calm and quiet to avoid a "need" to breastfeed. Here's some more information about weaning a toddler, and feel free to chat further if you would like some support.https://laleche.org.uk/thinking-of-weaning/