Thank you for your email and kind words about my site. I understand how exhausting it can be if you are having to feed all night.
In order to wean your daughter off the breast without too much trauma for her and you, you will have to do it gradually and be consistent in weaning her. She needs to receive a very clear message from you that if she wakes at night she will receive a bottle with water in it and no breast. She may protest at first but if you are consistent she will soon get used to the idea. If however you give her breast one night and no breast the next it will make her feel insecure. Breastfeeding is not only about giving your child nourishment but also about making her feel secure and loved and she should still feel that way even without breast feeding through hugs and cuddles from you and dad.
As she is mostly using the breast for comfort at night you will need to give her another substitute for comfort such as a bottle with water, or a little formula appropriate for her age, or cow's milk, or a dummy. or a cup with water/ milk in it. You can also mix the cow's milk or formula with a little breast milk until she gets used to the taste, but water is preferable. It is important to wean her off her favourite feeds last. Start by eliminating at least one of the middle of the night feeds first. Try holding her differently not in the cradle position to soothe her back to sleep with a bottle/cup/dummy if necessary. Tell her she can nurse in the morning and it's time to go back to sleep now. Give her a blanket or soft toy to cuddle with. Try to be resilient gently soothing her without giving her the breast. If you can get dad to help you let him try to soothe her back to sleep with a bottle/cup/dummy when she wakes in the middle of the night.
If you and your partner are comfortable with her sleeping in your bed when she wakes in the middle of the night, then often just having the closeness, warmth and being able to cuddle with you will help her go back to sleep. Obviously, don't let her lie in a position where she has easy access to your breasts.
If you find that after 4-6 weeks you are unable to wean her off the breast then contact me again. In most cases babies protest a little at first but soon get used to taking a bottle or cup. Good luck! Let me know how it is going.
My little one is 14 months old. I started giving her formula when she was about 8 months but still continued breastfeeding at night & in the morning. About 2 months ago I started taking her off her morning breast feeds and just giving her night time feeds and she would wake up 4-6 times during the night for a feed and as a full time working mom it can be draining.
For about 2 weeks now I have been giving her formula as well as water bottle feeds during the night and trying to get her to sleep in her cot, it has been tough, really tough but we are getting there. She uses the breast mostly for comfort and what helps as well is that I have moved my bed right up against her cot so she still feels me next to her but she is in her own space when she wakes up for a feed I just give her the bottle. It takes a lot of patience, hugs, kisses and re-assuring her that even though she can't have the breast mommy still loves her.She is not completely off the breast yet but I am happy with the progress we are making.
Hello Claire,
Great advice on weaning baby off the breast.
My little one is 14 months old & I started giving her formula when she was about 8 months but still continued breastfeeding at night & in the morning. About 2 months ago I started taking her off her morning breastfeeds and just giving her night time feeds and she would wake up 4-6 times during the night for a feed and as a full time working mom it can be draining. For about 2 weeks now I have been giving her formula as well as water bottle feeds during the night and trying to get her to sleep in her cot, it has been tough, really tough but we are getting there. She uses the breast mostly for comfort and what helps as well is that I have moved my bed right up against her cot so she still feels me next to her but she is in her own space & when she wakes up for a feed I just give her the bottle. It takes a lot of patience, hugs, kisses and re-assuring her that even though she can’t have the breast mommy still loves her. She is not completely off the breast yet but I am happy with the progress we are making.
Thank you for advice, it really helped me through many challanging times.
Thank you. I am pleased my advice was beneficial. Congratulations on giving baby what she needs while weaning her and taking it slow.