Mothers start breastfeeding with certain expectations of when it would be time for the baby to let go. However, some toddlers can be stubborn and not let go of breastfeeding even at the 24-month mark.
At this point, you might run out of patience and want them to try other sources of nourishment.
If you are having a hard time getting your 2-year-old boy to stop breastfeeding, you need to establish some important practices.
We have listed the top ones below to make this transition easy for you and your boy.
Key Notes
- Natural term weaning will allow your child to be in the decision making
- Start communicating about gradually stopping breastfeeding
- Shorten or postpone the sessions
- Combine nursing with formula feeding or pumping
1. Opt For Natural Term Weaning
Natural-term weaning is not a popular approach among mothers that want their boys to stop breastfeeding as soon as possible.
According to WHO, mothers can breastfeed for two years or more. Letting the child breastfeed till they want to stop is known as natural term weaning.
Not everyone has the patience for this approach, and it means your 2-year-old boy will start cutting down gradually over a period of a few months.
It is crucial that you determine if this practice will be ideal for you and your child before you decide.
2. Communicate With Your 2-Year-Old Boy
Your 2-year-old boy might not form complete sentences, but they can understand a lot of what you are saying.
Because of this, it is crucial that you communicate with your child.
Here are some things you can do to begin this communication process:
- Let them know you are proud of their growth
- Explain that as children grow, they don’t require breastfeeding
- Focus on the amazing things they can do, and it’s an exciting time to be growing up
Remember that not all toddlers will respond positively to this kind of communication. Some toddlers might react negatively as they can be anxious because of change.
If you notice any anxiety, you can hold off on the discussion and focus on the positives.
3. Cut Down Nursing On Demand
When you want your toddler to begin the weaning process, you must not stick to the feeding schedule.
For example, you may have a fixed schedule of breastfeeding daily. But, when you are doing this, don’t remind your 2-year-old boy it is time for his breastfeeding session.
Instead, wait and see if your 2-year-old boy asks for the breastfeeding session himself. Doing this will cut down the demand for nursing at fixed times.
Your child might also want to explore and try new things that they might not have done because of the schedule, as even toddlers are creatures of habit.
4. Shorten The Breastfeeding Sessions
Another fantastic practice you can follow is to shorten breastfeeding sessions. Begin by following these important steps:
- Talk to your toddler about what will happen
- Create a limit on the time of these sessions
- Set a timer of fifteen minutes during breastfeeding time to stick to what you said
- After a week or two, decrease the time of breastfeeding to ten minutes or less
In the same way, you can keep reducing the time by five minutes till your 2-year-old boy doesn’t need a breastfeeding session.
Remember to provide undivided attention to your child at this time, such as reading a book, singing a song, etc.
Such behavior will let them know they have your attention, making it easier for them to let go.
5. Postpone The Sessions
Shortening the sessions will not work for all toddlers. Instead, you can also tell your toddler you will nurse them later.
An example would be that they want to be fed during lunch, and you let them know you will feed them after you are done with all the preparations.
Postponing will create space between your sessions until you can postpone an entire nursing session till your next one.
Toddlers easily become distracted, which is why they might even forget about the breastfeeding session altogether.
6. Limit The Time And Place Of Nursing Sessions
We live in a fast world where most parents are busy professionals. You might not be comfortable with nursing your two-year-old boy in public, which is where this practice comes in handy.
Let them know you will only feed them at home or in the bedroom.
If this doesn’t work, you can limit the timing of the sessions. Remember that you will face some backlash while you are incorporating these practices.
However, it is normal, and you need to go through this to get your toddler boy to stop weaning.
7. Partially Stop Breastfeeding
There is also an option for you to partially stop the breastfeeding sessions for your child.
You can begin by giving a bottle during the day when you are busy and nurse when you are home.
Some popular strategies for partial weaning include the following:
- Pumping and nursing: You can pump the milk beforehand to provide to your child when they need it while nursing when possible
- Formula-feeding and nursing: Caregivers can provide the formula while you are at work, and you can feed when you get home
Both of these options are ideal for busy parents that have to juggle the responsibilities of parenthood and professional life.
Select the one you think will be ideal based on your needs, schedule, and other factors. It will provide you with a starting point to stop breastfeeding your 2-year-old boy altogether.
Final Thoughts
Getting your 2-year-old boy to stop breastfeeding can be challenging, but it can happen if you are determined to make it happen.
Always check your emotions and see how you feel about it. Many women want to stop breastfeeding because they want ownership of their own bodies and would like the child to detach a little bit.
It is okay to feel this way because it is completely normal. You just have to find the correct strategy that will help you through this process.
