And so the weaning begins.....



As much as I do enjoy that intimate bonding moments of breastfeeding, I know that weaning will eventually come. When I started to think about it, I was always wondering when it would happen, and most of all, whether when the time comes, would it be me or my baby who will be more ready.


My breastfeeding journey started off quite bumpy, but Alhamdulillah I made it through. I am glad that I did not give up that easily, even though I did not manage to go exclusive, but at least I made it a priority.


Due to my bumpy start, I prepared for the worst. So what I did was I planned my breastfeeding in smaller chunks of time, meaning to say, I strived to breastfeed for the first 6 months, then 8 months, and then I just let circumstance progress. Next thing I know, I am still breastfeeding at my baby's age of 15 months, and that is quite a good achievement. We both still enjoy the moments, but it is starting to happen less frequently now.


You may wonder why I am starting to wean Bella so early, but let me just say again, I have started the weaning process, not wean a la cold turkey.


I have done some readings on weaning, and after doing so, I have made up my mind that I want to use the gradual weaning method. Why so? Because I'd prefer that Bella weans on her own terms, and at the same time, I also do not want her to grow too attached and start to rely on Ms B's for her only comfort.


I also don't think that going cold turkey is the best way, I mean, to me its just too abrupt and may cause frustrations to both of us. And of course because of the motherhood sentiment of breastfeeding.


So how do I do it, this gradual weaning?


Now here is my plan :


I have stopped my pumping sessions at work. This too did not happen abruptly, I actually moved down from 3 sessions, to 2 , to 1 and then no more.


I am currently teaching Bella to sleep on her own, which will no longer requires her to nurse to sleep. There is this whole topic about sleep by the way, I think I should write about it soon. In a nutshell, Bella was so reliant on Ms B to fall asleep when I am around, and she even wakes up too frequently at night, and wants Ms B to make her fall asleep again.


I eliminate 1 nursing session each day, and replace it with 1 bottle feeding for her daily milk intake.


I still let her nurse throughout the day, but I make sure that it is not during naptime or bedtime.


I still nurse her first thing in the morning when she wakes up.


Well, let's just hope that by the time she turns 2, she will wean completely without much fuss.


I am lying if I say I am not even a bit emotional to this, but being a mom also teaches you to learn to let go. I am just grateful that I am able to provide my baby with the best gift that I could ever give in her life. I am sure that Bella will continue this beautiful bonding with her children too, one fine day.

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