Welcome to the biggest Carnival of Breastfeeding to date! Many mothers submitted posts to share their “how to” knowledge, from how to wean from a nipple shield to how to get a spouse to help with breastfeeding. After I discuss how to teach your baby nursing manners, take a look at the links to the other participants. You might also wish to enter to win a free baby carrier, sling, or wrap of your choice (contest ends Friday, April 24, 2009).
f you breastfeed for the recommended year or more, you might experience some occasional unwanted behavior from your nursling. I …read more

Oprah is looking for breastfeeding mothers to appear on a future show:
Are You Too Old to Breast-feed?
Are you currently breast-feeding your son or daughter? How old is he or she? Do you wonder what age is appropriate to wean your child? Do you think your family and/or friends feel uncomfortable around you or discussing the topic of breast-feeding?
What is your position on when to wean your child? We want to hear your thoughts.
Please only write-in if you are willing to appear on television.
“Are you too old to breastfeed?” Why no, I don’t think I’m too old to breastfeed …read more

While I nursed my youngest until she was a few months past her third birthday, and I admittedly was ready for her to wean, there have been several times in the months since when I wished she were still nursing. Here are the top five situations when I have regretted her weaning:
1. Illness. When she got the stomach flu, I wished she were getting antibodies and all-important fluids from breast milk to keep her from getting dehydrated.
2. Physical comfort. When my daughter started patting my cheeks and rubbing my arms and climbing all over me until I started to get …read more

By: Juria Yoshikawa

After nearly three weeks without nursing my 3-year-old, I think it is safe to say she has weaned! It has been a long, slow process as I strived to meet the needs of my daughter while she gently weaned.
From a physical standpoint, I am glad she has weaned. It is not easy to breastfeed while pregnant (although I have done it before). However, from a mothering standpoint, I have been sad that I do not have breastfeeding as an instant way to help soothe my daughter when she is tired, sick, grumpy, or just plain needs to connect with me. …read more

As I mentioned previously, my 3-year-old had been nursing once per day for some time now. I realized late last night that my daughter hadn’t nursed at all that day! She never even asked. I can’t say I am sad about that, but I am quite surprised. It seems like I have gone from wondering “When will she cut back at all?” to wondering “Could this be our last nursing session?” in a very short time.

Welcome to the January Carnival of Breastfeeding! Today the contributors have written about “Beginnings and Endings” related to breastfeeding. Now that I am 14 weeks pregnant with my third child, I am facing a beginning and an ending, specifically the ending of my nursing relationship with my 3-year-old, and the beginning of my nursing relationship with my next child.
When I was pregnant with my second child, my first daughter nursed right through the pregnancy and happily tandem nursed with her new little sister. My experience this time around has been different. My 3-year-old simply is not as attached to …read more

At a La Leche League meeting the other day, one of the leaders mentioned the phenomenon of “holiday weaning.” Sometimes children get so distracted by the holiday festivities, the lights, the visiting relatives, the special food, that they do not think about nursing as frequently as they had been. If you notice this happening and you do not want your child to wean, you might offer to nurse occasionally, just to remind your child to keep it up! If, however, you are interested in weaning, then by all means take advantage of this time to initiate or hasten along that …read more

Today’s guest post comes from Kate at Babylune. She tells the beautiful story of how she has found creative and loving ways to identify and meet her daughter’s needs throughout the weaning process.
Now I Just Cuddle on Demand
Weaning. I’ve wanted to do it for almost a year, but I am just getting around to it now. My daughter is almost 2 years-old.
Weaning, many women will tell you, is completely unnecessary. Children, they maintain, stop when they want to. Which, in my experience of watching children left completely to their own devices, is when they are 4 or 5 years-old. Others …read more

Thanks for your thoughtful comments on my breastfeeding burnout. I took what was written to heart and instituted the following steps:
1. I night-weaned my 2.5-year old, again. A few months ago when she contracted rotavirus and started to get dehydrated, I nursed her unrestricted around the clock. Then we went on vacation, and I knew she needed the comfort and security of night-nursing in the various hotel rooms and guest rooms (plus I’m sure the other vacationers appreciated the instant quieting of any night-waking!) After night-weaning again, my getting more sleep has definitely helped improve how I feel about nursing …read more