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Breastfeeding 1-2-3

Holiday Weaning

by Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor on November 16th, 2007

snowman.jpgAt a La Leche League meeting the other day, one of the leaders mentioned the phenomenon of “holiday weaning.” Sometimes children get so distracted by the holiday festivities, the lights, the visiting relatives, the special food, that they do not think about nursing as frequently as they had been. If you notice this happening and you do not want your child to wean, you might offer to nurse occasionally, just to remind your child to keep it up! If, however, you are interested in weaning, then by all means take advantage of this time to initiate or hasten along that process. Either way, keep in mind that the holidays are a prime time for developing plugged ducts and mastitis. If you are run down, you are more susceptible to breast infections. Add in a child who is cutting back on nursing sessions and thus removing less milk, and you are even more vulnerable. Safeguard your health, wash your hands, get as much rest as possible, and say “no” when necessary!

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POSTED IN: breastfeeding, health of the mother, weaning

3 opinions for Holiday Weaning

  • MomOnTheGo
    Nov 17, 2007 at 8:07 pm

    Oh, now I’ve got something to worry about this Christmas. ;+) I hadn’t considered that this might happen but I think I’ll mention it to friends whose kids are on the cusp of becoming extended nursers. With the societal pressure to wean early, I’d want to encourage them to do the offering. Extended nursing has been very much worth it to me.

  • laura c.
    Nov 18, 2007 at 7:38 pm

    I never thought of that. thanks for letting me know i have something extra to look forward to this holiday season. I don’t plan on weaning but having a little break now and then is nice.

  • Sarah
    Dec 3, 2007 at 6:18 am

    I am breastfeeding my little baby that is 4 weeks old. Her sister has been watching and the other day she grab my “boobie”and started to suck since then she has been drinking/eating from the breast right before bed time and I do not know if this is ok or not but maybe this will help me get her back on track.

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