Child-led Weaning
According to anthropological studies, the average age of natural, child-led weaning worldwide is 4.2 years. The minimum predicted age for child-led weaning is 2.5 with a maximum of around five years of age. If not coerced by mother to nurse longer, children will eventually outgrow their breastfeeding need for nutrition and comfort. However, it may become socially unacceptable in the eyes of some for a child to continue to nurse after a certain age, that age usually being around two years old.
How can a mother know if child-led weaning is right for her and her baby? First, she must consider if social pressures to wean baby before a certain age will cause her grief. If the mother has support from family or her partner or if she can deal with the lack of support this will likely be the biggest factor in the decision to practice child-led weaning.
Many mothers choose not to nurse “on-demand” once the child reaches the age that they can get nutrition from food and comfort by other measures. The child may settle into a pattern of favorite times to nurse by the age of 2-2.5.
Sometimes child-led weaning means that the child will continue to nurse during the mother’s pregnancy with another child. Nursing may be painful during pregnancy so at this time the mother should not feel bad about limiting nursing sessions to what is comfortable for her. This may mean night weaning is necessary to help the mother feel positive about continuing with child-led weaning in the daytime.
If a mother nurses through a pregnancy, tandem nursing becomes a possibility. Tandem nursing occurs when two siblings of different ages are both nurslings. Tandem nursing is a rewarding experience for both mother and children and there is no need to give up on child-led weaning once a new baby arrives.
A major benefit of child-led weaning is that the child decides when he or she is ready to move on to being fed or comforted completely by means other than nursing. Letting the child decide this important step gives the confidence that they can be independent as they are ready. Since breast milk provides excellent nutrition, child-led weaning allows the child to continue with the health and immunity benefits it provides. Many mothers find that nursing their toddler helps to soothe the child during the bumps and bruises of toddler hood and illnesses like colds and stomach upset where the child’s appetite may be lacking, but their need for comfort is immense.
Sometimes child-led weaning may not be possible when a mother would like to practice it. Mothers who need to use IVF and have to take hormones to regulate their cycle will likely have to wean their nursing child before beginning the process. Other moms may have to take certain medications that are not safe for use while breastfeeding. Some moms may grow discontent with nursing yet feel guilty about imposing weaning on their child. All mothers should keep in mind that as long as the child is weaned with love there will be no emotional harm done to their child by not practicing child-led weaning.
Child-led weaning is not ideal for every mother but for those who desire to practice it, it helps to be prepared and to know what issues may arise or become obstacles and that most of those issues are surmountable.
