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Expert Q&A
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| By Melissa Clark Vickers International Board Certified Lactation Consultant Moms & Babies Huntingdon, Tenn. | ||
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What are some tips for weaning a 20-month-old who shows no signs of giving up breast milk? He is not very interested in other foods or drink at this point.
Congratulations for continuing to breastfeed for 20 months! Your child has received untold health benefits from the immune factors in your milk. What a special gift!
Weaning is a very personal experience, which you and your son will work out together. I would like to recommend that you continue to encourage him slowly and allow him time to grow into new activities. Many children who nurse and show little signs of interest in other foods do so because they are somewhat sensitive to other foods, and quite naturally are reluctant to give up the special food that agrees so well. I would like you to consider reading the book by La Leche League, which is available through their catalogue online. It is called How Weaning Happens by Diane Bengson. This book is ever so helpful, and will give you many excellent ideas.
Be sure to offer him a variety of finger foods in interesting ways. He may prefer raw vegetables or foods he can carry around with him. He may enjoy a cupcake tin as a plate, with each compartment filled with something interesting, like chopped up apple, a fewslices of banana, cheerios, cheese cut into small cubes or shapes, chicken cut into small cubes – you get the idea. By offering him a variety, and then if he isn't interested, just taking them away and not getting upset, you will find he begins to make more and more healthy food choices all by himself.
Many babies hate the idea of jar foods and will balk at the mushy consistency they offer. You may also want to check and see if there is a La Leche League (LLL) Toddler Nursing group in your area. If there is, you may want to attend and get ideas from other nursing moms. A regular LLL group would be helpful as well.
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