[quietserena]

People keep telling me how their babes self weaned at 8, 9, 10 months which seems early. I suspect these were unrecognized nursing strikes. Not that I'll say anything to that effect..

So how do you recognize a nursing strike when the babe's 20+ months old? Or do you just assume it's self-weaning?

 

[Twinklefae]

I'm no expert, but I suspect it depends patially on your attitude and partially on baby. If you wish to continue nursing, then treat it as a strike and start hanging out together with you topless, try lots of cuddling and bath time, etc.

If, on the other hand, you are done with nursing, take the opportunity and be done. Past about 18 months, from what I read they can begin to self-wean. It may be on the early side, but if you are comfortable than by all means, do what feels right!

 

[pinky]

Natural weaning happens gradually, with the baby/child decreasing their nursing over many months, and finally dropping that last nursing. A nursing strike is sudden...when a child goes from nursing several times a day to suddenly not nursing at all.

 

[alegna]

IMO the best way to do this is to protect the nursing relationship in the first place- no other sucking, little or no other milk, cosleeping, not seriously limiting nursing etc.

Then- if it's sudden, it's nearly always a strike.

-Angela