[dejagerw]

<p>Is there some sort of definition for "self weaning"?  It seems so often I hear mothers talk of their babies "self weaning" at ages I would not think a baby would wean themselves.  I hear about babies under a year "self weaning" (I'm assuming those are actually from a nursing strike), babies just over a year self weaning, 18 month olds self weaning, etc.  I always thought typical babies don't wean until after two. </p>

 

[Marissamom]

<p>for me, if a child still has a sucking need, they haven't self-weaned. so if they're still using a bottle or paci, they aren't truly weaned. and the mother can't have used any weaning techniques (for a child under two, these include "don't offer, don't refuse", delaying feedings, limiting frequency or duration of feedings, and pushing solids)</p>

 

[akind1]

<p>While I mostly agree with PP sentiment, also every child is different; DS is 13 months and is clearly (to me) in the process of weaning - though I do not know how long before he is done altogether. He sucks on his thumb - and has since he was about 3 months old - since he does this for comfort (mostly when he is tired) - I don't think it is a good measure of when he is done needing or wanting to nurse. I try to remember that this is a relationship and both parties, mama and babe, need to be comfortable.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>as far as self weaning, if babe is not showing any desire to nurse - pushes boob away or otherwise doesn't seem inclined to nurse (DS bites me when I offer the boob when he is not hungry. needless to say, this does not make me want to continue the session either!) that is what I would consider. I think alot of the tecniques - delaying, don't offer, don't refuse, etc, are somethings that mamas with toddlers often do unconsiously not intentionally as a means to wean. I encourage solids, but I wouldn't say I push them, any more than I push bf'ing - I encourage and offer. same goes for solids.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>under a year, I agree it is probably a nursing strike, after a year, especially after walking, anything may be true.I try not to discount any one's experience.</p>

 

[averlee]

<p>I think with babies who are under one year and wean to the bottle, that is not actually "weaning" but nipple confusion. I think they call it nipple confusion when a baby begins to prefer the bottle to the breast.</p>
<p>I have known a few babies who dropped breastfeeding around 1 year when they started to walk, even though their mothers wanted to continue breastfeeding. I'm not sure if these may have had something to do with pushing solids- not all that long ago, doctors urged mothers to start the babyfood at about 4 months. </p>
<p>But, both from experience and intuition, I'd guess most children would continue nursing (if given the chance) until somewhere around age 4-7. </p>

 

[sosurreal09]

<p><a href="http://www.kellymom.com/bf/weaning/how_weaning_happens.html" target="_blank">http://www.kellymom.com/bf/weaning/how_weaning_happens.html</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>It is rare before 2 y/o, esp rare before 18 m/o...</p>

 

[isabchi]

<p><br><br>
 </p>
<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>Marissamom</strong> <a href="/community/forum/thread/1287178/self-weaning#post_16137414"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-bottom:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-right:0px solid;"></a><br><br><p>for me, if a child still has a sucking need, they haven't self-weaned. so if they're still using a bottle or paci, they aren't truly weaned. and the mother can't have used any weaning techniques (for a child under two, these include "don't offer, don't refuse", delaying feedings, limiting frequency or duration of feedings, and pushing solids)</p>
</div>
</div>
<br><br><p> This!</p>