When is it time to wean your baby? Only you get to decide!

Once a baby is over six months of age you can start to get pressure from others. Is that baby STILL nursing? Yes! Remember, the World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding for at least 2 years! Here at The Breastfeeding Center of Ann Arbor we think the longer the better!

Another thought is that maybe you never envisioned nursing a baby for more than six months to a year. I know I didn’t. But when I got to one year, breastfeeding was easy. It was so hard in the beginning and I really struggled, so why would I stop now? It helped that I belonged to a support group that believed in nursing older babies. Finding people who support and believe in the power of breastfeeding can be really helpful when trying to decide what to do.

So, how do you know when it’s time to wean your baby? Think about how much you and the baby are enjoying this still. A lot? Probably not time yet. Maybe the baby still loves nursing but you are feeling done. This is OK too.

It is also fine to night wean your baby after 15 months or so (you can do this at any time, this is your baby, but night weaning tends to work more easily after 15 months or so) if lack of sleep is the issue. It is also perfectly acceptable to start setting limits on breastfeeding that make it more doable for you. Maybe you don’t want the baby pulling up your shirt. Fine. Tell them no. This is your body and you get to decide when and how you want to share it. What a powerful lesson!

If you have questions about weaning or need some help with weaning strategies, remember, we are here for you! We offer virtual or in-person consultations for weaning which are incredibly helpful. Often, figuring out why you are feeling it might be time to wean is the most helpful. Once you feel firm in your resolve, you can do it!

Our podcast today talks about Jessica and Barbara’s weaning experiences, what you some signs that you may be ready to stop nursing, and some strategies as to how to stop nursing. Enjoy!

The post All Things Breastfeeding 55: Is it time to wean your baby? appeared first on The Breastfeeding Center of Ann Arbor.