How do you wean a baby from nursing?

Answers:
It is best to do this gradually so that you have less discomfort. Depending on how often your baby is nursing now, will dictate how long it'll take you to wean. Start replacing 1 feeding with a formula. A couple of days later, (or more if you want to be really gradual), replace another one with formula and so on. Your breast will feel full when you skip a feeding. If it's very uncomfortable, you'll have to express milk (but only enough to relieve discomfort) by hand or pump. If you are really engorged, you may try a hot bath and/or tylenol.

I weaned my son at 12 months when he was only nursing 2x a day. It only took me 2 days, but I felt full for about 2 more days.

Other Answers:
give them less, do it less and start replacing it w/something else like solid foods
Source(s):
siblings

If it's 18mo. or older and you want to do it in the 'mean' way, paint your nips with anti nail bite polish you can buy it at the drug store. My mother-in-law did this. I did it the gradual way when my son was that age. It took me 1 week. It took her less than 5 min.

BUT DO NOT TRY THIS ON A BABY YOUNGER THAN 18 MONTHS. YOU COULD SERIOUSLY TRAUMATIZE THE BABY!!!!!
Source(s):
Edited to say... I prefer the gradual method. It's much more loving and tender.

I started by cutting one feeding out every 5-7 days supplementing with formula. The hardest feeding to cut is the bedtime feeding. Good luck!
Source(s):
My 3 children

substitute with a bottle once a day then gradually go to tow bottles and then three and so on.. that's how i did it

I believe in child led weaning, but if its in the best interest of the mother and child, a gradual weaning is best. Start off by replacing one nursing session with formula if the child is under six months and not on solids. Otherwise, you maybe able to substitute solids with a nursing session.
If the child is over a year than offering water or juice instead of nursing works great.
The AAP recommends nursing for at least 12 months. I believe WHO recommends nursing for 24 months. But of course extend nursing is not for everyone. Do what you believe is right for your family.
Source(s):
http://www.kellymom.com/
http://askdrsears.com

How old is the baby? Cause the answer really depends on that. If you're talking about a newborn that you are trying to switch onto a bottle, then you start by giving them breastmilk in a bottle and gradually switch over to formula. If you are talking about a 6-12 month old, then I would try to mostly feed them solids, suplimenting with breastmilk from a bottle and not even try to get them interested in the formula. If you are talking about a one year old or older, I would explain to them, like you would to an intelligent small child, that nursing is going bye bye, but they can still have as much milk as they want from a sippy cup whenever they want to. I would gradually transition over from breastmilk to whole milk at that point. Whatever age you are talking about, I would eliminate the daytime feedings first, but not the ones right at naptime. Then the naptime ones, about a week later and then the nighttime ones about a week after that. Good Luck!

go ger nipples for bottles that say they are like moms breast they work well

Slowly cut down on feeds start by lenghtening the time in between, offer your baby a sip cup of water or expressed milk. Using expressed milk can make it easier for baby to switch as it is a taste they are familiar with. If your baby is more than about eight months old and is able to hold a small sip cup than this is a much better option then switching to a bottle, bottles can cause damage to the babies teeth and cause latex allergies in some babies. There should be no need to start giving baby formula, instead give your baby whole fat cows milk or if your baby has trouble digesting this than try whole fat goat or sheeps milk these are closer to human milk as the fat golobules in it are smaller and easier to digest. if your baby is extremely upset don't refuse giving the breast as this has been your childs comfort for their whole life and they will find it difficult to differentiate between no you are not having breastmilk and I don't want to comfort you. Keep your child entertained and regularly offer drinks and food to fill them up this will naturally increase the intervals inbetween and decrease the length of each feed as this happens your milk supply will decrease over time. Baby will likely only want feeding when tired or at night. If your baby is younger than six months old try to hold out as long as you can as this is so incredibly important for your babies long term development and health, many fo the increasing health problems in young adults and children to day are do to bottle and formula feeding or breastfeeding for too short a time. If you are going back to work look into breast pumps that can be rented or purchased there is no reason baby can't have breastmilk in a cup at the babysitters and the breast at home. Giving expressed milk in a cup will reduce the liklihood of "nipple confusion" common when babies are switched between bottle and breast as these require two different types of sucking and the bottle is easier but not as healthy for your baby by a long shot. Check out the link below for more info from Breastfeeding Specialist Peadiatrician in toronto.
Source(s):
Breastfeeding mother of three, breastfeeding consultant, childbirth educator yourbodyyourbirthyourbaby@hotm...
http://www.bflrc.com/newman/articles.htm

Get daddy to feed him or her for the first little while, if possible.Why would they want the fake stuff when mommy has the real stuff!?!

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How do you wean a baby from nursing?

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