Q: How can I get my 20-month-old daughter to stop breastfeeding
at night? She sleeps with just me and cries hysterically if I try to stop her doing it.
Jo Frost says: At 20 months, a child gets all the nutrition needed from food and drink without needing breast milk. Choosing to carry on feeding is fine, and every mum’s choice is personal. But it feels a bit like your little one is getting the breast when she wants it rather than when she needs it. When you wake up and let her feed, you are essentially becoming a human pacifier. Whilst I’m not a strong advocate of co-sleeping, you can still feed and co-sleep if that’s your choice, but you need to break this cycle of her expecting to suck on you at night.
The best way is to put a barrier between you. A pillow’s good – she can have a cuddle, but can’t roll on to her side and find your breast. Your willpower has to be stronger. Also, buy her a blankie to replace the comfort of your breast.
