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Weaning, good reasons and bad reasons?
I am asking this because I'm considering weaning my 5 month old soon, not right away, but within the next few months. I'm in school and I'm currently getting D's in my classes because I just want to focus all of my time on her, which I believe is my obligation because I'm her mother! But I do need to improve my performance in my schoolwork, and if I was able to wean her I think a lot of our problems as far as time management goes, would be solved. I just feel a little selfish for thinking this, though, because I'm such an advocate of nursing. I'd also like to lose the rest of my baby weight, its very important to me because I'm trying to become a better runner and this extra weight is really killing me. So I want your opinion on that, and also I'm curious about these 2 questions.
What would you consider a good reason to wean your baby from nursing?
What would you consider a bad reason?
Thanks!!
Postponing school has been a very serious consideration. The reason I'd like to stay and just finish now is I only have 3 semesters left, and we will be moving away from this area within the next 2 years, so if I could finish what I've started within those 2 years I'd never have to worry about it again, and I'd like to get pregnant again after 18 months of DD's birth, so I just feel like finishing as soon as I can will help prevent further stress so I can focus on my family and have more kids without needing to worry about that degree looming over me.
Maegs33, you are great thanks for that answer.
7 Answers
- maegs33Lv 61 decade agoFavorite Answer
I get what you're saying, but I don't think that weaning will solve your problems. Instead, you're going to be mixing bottles, sterilizing and washing bottles, from my friends who have done both formula and breast, they say that breast is less time consuming.
Besides, I usually answer questions on Y!A while I'm nursing, or read, or do all kinds of things. I use a Boppy pillow which allows me hands-free nursing for eating, drinking, and reading. I'm thinking you could definitely do your schoolwork and study while nursing.
You can lose weight while nursing, keep exercising and eat healthy. My weight drops off.
Generally, and I might get some heat for this, I think a good reason for weaning baby is when baby has decided that he's done. Chemo is a decent reason to wean (unless I could pump through treatments.)
I don't know, I just think I've worked so hard to get to at least 12 months of nursing, I wouldn't let anything stand in my way: not my full time job, not the house, not family, not anything. Nursing my babies, giving them the best, is super important to me. I can, and have, juggled anything to provide. I've pumped with two babies now while I'm working. I tandem pump, which makes it easier.
A bad reason?
You want your boobs back so your husband can play with them.
The calendar turns 3, 6, 12 months.
Your baby is 'X' months old and now there's 'no benefit' to nursing.
So you can do heroin and cocaine.
You think you have a bad diet.
Grandma gave you too much grief.
You don't want to nurse in public.
I've heard every excuse under the sun.
- Rosie_0801Lv 61 decade ago
I don't really think it would solve your time management problems actually. I think you would be just as focused on her, because you are the mother of a beautiful baby. To be honest, I think you'd be better off deferring school for a while, cutting down to part time or making some arrangements so you can study from home. Of course that may not be possible.
Nursing takes less time than bottle feeding because you don't have to spend preparation time. The other thing to consider is the antibodies. Your breastfed baby won't get sick. If you put her on formula, she'll get sick, which will take you away from your studies even more.
Now to your questions:
Good reason to wean: If you don't want to breastfeed anymore. Though I don't think anyone is in a position to make an educated decision about weaning until they've been feeding for 6-8 weeks.
Bad reason to wean: If someone else tells you you should, and you don't agree with their reasons.
I'm definately in favour of breastfeeding, and am still feeding my daughter who'll be one in three weeks time. I'm also pro-choice. No one should get beaten up for making whatever they feel is the right decision for them.
- 1 decade ago
you are the only one who can truly answer that. you obviously know the great nutrition you are offering your baby...so why not con't pumping and giving it to her in a bottle that way you can have hubby or a babysitter give the baby a bottle with your milk and you can study...that would be a great compromise. AND when you have some time between tests, projects and so forth you can still nurse her when needed...and when your semester is complete in the spring you can con't nursing her. :-)
That's what I would do if it were me b/c breastmilk is best and you'll probably end up stressing about which formula to use or if your baby is still eating at night having to get that together instead of just nursing her. the best of both worlds, in my opinion, is being able to nurse your baby and also pump so others get the opportunity to feed her...and your baby gets the best nutrition and start in life.
please consider this before weaning...i've heard a lot of people regret weaning at such a young age.
- knittinmamaLv 71 decade ago
Weaning a baby at any age is a personal question that only you can fairly answer. There are lots of arguments in favor of nursing for as long as possible but there are also very good formualas available.
If you are truely an advocate of breast feeding you might consider putting school on hold until the baby is weaned. School will still be there.
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- 1 decade ago
A good reason for weaning? Why do you need a reason,good or bad? To begin with,the choice is entirely yours.NObody else can make it for you.Do you realize how many alternatives are out there? Have you thought of pumping? Most schools and jobs will allow you enough time during the day(all you really need is about 25 minutes every 3 hours once you're on a schedule) to do just that.Keep in mind,I'm talking about using an electric double pump here.If that's out of the question,pump at home,but give her a bottle with the breast milk in it.That will wean her from the breast but she still gets the benefits.BUT,remember,formulas have come a LONG way in nutrition so DO NOT feel guilty if you choose that route.You sound like a good and caring mom to me.Do what you feel you have to.
Source(s): I nursed 4 children and supplemented with 3 of them. - 1 decade ago
It sounds like you are trying to do too much. Maybe you are not ready to be back in school yet. Can you delay classes for now? You can stop nursing whenever you want, but I am not convinced that will solve the problem for you.
- 1 decade ago
This is a personal decision for people, you need to decide what works for you and be okay with your decision.
On the other hand, I loved nursing my babies. But when they get teeth and they bite you, you might have nursed too long.
When they are learning to talk and your husband teaches them to say boobs, so that when out in public your little one is demanding 'boobs' at the top of their lungs while reaching for them from his seat in the shopping cart you might have nursed too long.
Do what is right for you :) . You have nursed a long time and should be proud of yourself.