My Weaning from Breastfeeding Experience

OK, I admit, it was not my experience. It's actually my son's experience when he had to be separated from breast milk for the first time.

I know weaning from breastfeeding is not an easy process, because a mother had to face a dilemma; keep weaning her baby or delay this process because of the baby's excessive crying.

But thanks God, my son did not have to experience such a horror. So, let me share you what I did.

Actually, I've already planned to wean my baby since he was 18 months. At that moment, I had to go out of town for several days so I think it will be a good opportunity to separate him with my breast. But I had to delay this plan, because my breast milk supply was still abundant and I felt so pity to stop breastfeeding at that moment.

I’m a working mother, so my son has already recognized milk bottle and formula milk. He had these two items while I was working. However, he always refused formula milk when I was around. I also pumped my breast milk at the office until my baby was 1 year, so he’s truly familiar with the taste of breast milk.

Two months later, just 2 months before his second birthday, I think my breast milk supply was decreasing. So I bought a pack of Band-Aid and put them on both of my nipples. Then as he asked for breastfeeding, I showed him my breast and told him that my breast is wounded so he must drink from his milk bottle instead. Although my boy can already understand some simple statement, his first reaction was crying.

His crying was so touching that I almost re-stop my plan. Fortunately, he cried for only 5 minutes, (if he cried even longer, maybe I'll delay this plan to weaning from breastfeeding again) and began to accept his milk bottle and drink his formula milk. Since that day, he never returned to breast milk again.

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That’s my story. What about yours? Do you face the same problems when weaning your baby from breastfeeding?

You can try what I’ve already done, or you can use other tools instead of Band-Aid. You can spread something bitter or other awful-taste liquid/cream on your breast (but just make sure you didn't put something poisonous or hazardous).