Need some advise on how to wean

[bristolmom]

My daughter is 19 months old now, and I'm ready to start the weaning process. She would stay permanently attatched if I let her. But right now the way it is is she wants to hop up in my lap EVERY time I sit down, and she starts lifting my shirt. If I try to stop her, she will scream and cry. So I give in because I feel bad. She still sleeps w/ us so she pretty much nurses all night. And I def. cannot get her down for a nap without nursing. I need to learn some good ways of distracting her. So that when I sit down at the computer or to watch t.v., I can do so without having to nurse her everytime. The night time nursing will be last I know. So if anyone has any good ideas for me, I would greatly appreciate it:) Thanks in advance!

[Jacksmommy]

My first advice is to tell you that it's hardest to wean a baby who is in this stage. She is most likely working on cutting either eye teeth or molars and finds nursing very comforting. Once those teeth come in, weaning will be easier.
What I would do now, if your wanting to nurse less, is to give her Hyland's teething tablets. They are homeopathic and can be given often. They'll help with the teething pain. Then I'd start offering a snack just before a time when she would normally nurse. I always gave yogurt - seemed a good substitute to me.
Those things together may help to curb her desire to nurse.
From there. I would pay attention to the times she nurses and for how long. Once you think she'll be okay with it, pick a time to either reduce the amount of time she nurses or to eliminate entirely if it seems not too important. You want to do this slowly or it will likely backfire. Make sure that that time is filled with plenty of distractions so that the nursing time didn't happen and she really didn't notice. You only want to take away one nursing session at a time. You want to wait at least a week - maybe two, maybe more before you take another one away.

[bristolmom]

Can I get those tablets from pretty much any grocery store? I'll def. try them, as of right now there are no signs of teeth coming in. She has been very slow in cutting teeth. She only has six. My boys all had a mouth full by this age. Thanks so much for the tips!

[Jacksmommy]

You can get them at Kroger (on the baby isle), Wallgreens, CVS, Wal-Mart, They're pretty easy to find. What I do is ask the pharmacist wherever I go. He/she can tell you where in the store to find them.

[Maret00]

I would just try having her distracted. My son is much the same. If I sit down the breast comes out. I think if you have a toy in an area where she doesnt see you like are couch is angled in a way that there is open space to play he goes there with a car or his drums I can see him but he is so distracted he doesnt think to look up. Have them playing and then taking a momunt for your self works great! But she most likely relizes that you only nurse her and that is her mom and me time. Try playing with her for a bit reading a book or playing with baby dolls (only have a boy so cant really remember what girls do at that age). Hope that helps ;)