Self Weening

[hullingerb]

I'm a mom of 2 and my first born I breastfeed until he was 1 1/2 old and my second until she was 19 monthes. I belive the child will tell me when they are ready. It was a bit painfull when they were cutting teeth but I knew that it was good for them.I'm pregant with my 3rd child and I will breast feed this one too.

[Joyto5]

I voted Somewhat agree because I've never done child lead weening. My baby is 2 and so far we both nurse because we both love it. There may come a time when I've had it and I'll push him(gently) to stop, but I don't see that happening any time soon. My other 4 weened before their first b-day. It wasn't till my last one that I found out the benifits of EN, so we stuck it out through all the 1 year Nursing strikes instead of me thinking they were self weening at 1.

[Jacksmommy]

For me and my child I believe in child lead weaning. I can't say that it's best in every situation and for every family, but it's what's best for us.

[singin_mama]

I voted somewhat agree. I have never actually done clw. I really wanted to this last time but this yeast infection got the better of me.

[kohlby]

Somewhat agree for me. I don't care what anyone else does. I say somewhat since I'm more about child respected weaning than child led weaning. Sometimes the mother will feel she needs to wean with good reason. My 4.5 year old still nurses on occassion. I have had to cut him down every single step of the way. So, he's definately not doing child-led weaning. But since he's 4.5 years old and still nursing, it isn't exactly like cutting off a 4.5 month baby! My DD is almost 22 months and I haven't cut her down at all yet but I'd like to. I won't wean her completely for a while though. We'll know when we get there.

I think child-led weaning gets too much attention actually. Focusing on child-respected weaning is a lot more important to me. And since I have a 4.5 year old nursling who is not doing child-led weaning, you might understand why I have this position.

[yasmel]

I believe in child led weaning all the way.

I didn't know much w/ my 1st so he was only bf for 8 months. This one is 14 months and still going strong.

[hotlama]

dd is only 8 weeks old and she is the first baby I have breastfed. I voted somewhat agree because I haven't experience the weaning process yet. I do want to breastfeed until she is at least 24 months old. If she self weans before then, I will try my best to pump and give her a bottle.

[aussietwirler]

Somewhat agree. I certainly understand the benefits of the WHO recommendation being 2.. after that is a personal choice.. and before I suppose.

My first self weaned at 15 mths before I even realised it was happening

Twins were weaned at 17 mths, but I really had to push to get that far, because they weren't really that interested.

With DD I had no grand plans and was happy with 15 mths.
With the boys I had read more and wanted to feed for as long as possible, so was disappointed when we stopped short of my next goal.

[juliansmom]

I definitely agree with child led weaning. My DS stopped nursing around 16 months. He was not interested anymore so I wasn't about to force the issue to get him to continue, and I definitely wouldn't have stopped him. I think he would have gone longer had I not gone back to work when he was 11 months, but it worked well for us. He actually stopped nursing to sleep around 10 - 12 months. He'd occasionally nurse to sleep but by about a year maybe a little older had stopped completely. By about 13 14 months he'd refuse to latch on at bed time so I'd cuddle him and put him to bed instead. I think it was great because it was so easy lol. Both of us were happy.

[sotwell]

I voted somewhat agree... I personally wouldnt just cut it off but we have gotten to a point with Home schooling the older one and tring to concieve again that I just preoccupy her when i can to help her not focus on it as much. I hit my goal of at least a yr and now that she is 19 mos I think we should wean, but i am encouraging her not forcing her! I also wanted originally for her to wean when ready but i have noticed some times she only nurses to get my attention or to get me away from someone else... if she really wants to nurse and me playing with her and/or getting her a drink doesnt fix her wanting to nurse then i go ahead and nurse her... she is finally sleeping through the night.. finally most of the time that is!
sue

[KaraJ]

I voted somewhat disagree. I suppose that is because I plan on getting pregnant again when my son turns a year, and I have heard (though I've heard the opposite too) that it's not good for the fetus if you are breastfeeding. Also, (call me selfish if you will), I would like my body back at some point! I've already been pregnant for almost two years straight, and will probably nurse for a year, then get pregnant again! I could just be not pregnant, but I can't seem to get enough of babies! Rebekah is 16 months and Nathaniel is over two months. :) That makes them a little less than 14 months apart!

[Vegmom]

Child led weaning...but like a PP stated....I guess I'll have to see when the time comes. So far my 18 month old and I are going strong and I can see him BF'ing for a long time to come. :)

[southinmom]

We'll see what happens when the time comes. But right now 3 months in I feel like it will be up to her.