Adoption Week e-Magazine Article

No Strict Rules about Weaning

Gary Direnfeld, MSW, RSW

Q: My three-and-a-half-year-old son is still breastfeeding, mostly just for the occasional nap he takes or for bedtime. I get a lot of flack for it from family members. I'm wondering how common are breastfeeding toddlers? And how in the world do I stop?

A: The Canadian Paediatric Society recommends breastfeeding for the first six months of life and notes that some mothers continue to two years of age and beyond.

There is nothing wrong with continued breastfeeding, and some mothers breastfeed until their children are of school age.

Worldwide, the average age of weaning is between three and four years. In North America, the average age of weaning is under a year.

The myth associated with longer breastfeeding is that the child will be spoiled or become dependent upon the mother. So North American culture frowns on breastfeeding past the age of two.

Most mothers look to the child to self-wean. Weaning can be achieved simply by being less available and offering your child an excuse, something as simple as "mommy's tired" or "I ran out of milk!"

Mothers can encourage their child to leave the breast as a sign of being a big boy or girl. Others have a little party signalling the end of breastfeeding.

There are many ways -- direct, indirect and fun -- that can mark an end to breastfeeding. Or you can wait and let your child self-wean.

Gary Direnfeld is a Dundas social worker specializing in parent-child relationships.

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