Makes Milk with Emma Pickett Weaning a booby monster
Sep 19, 2023
This podcast explores the challenges of weaning a booby monster, including motivations for weaning, nursing manners, and cutting down on feeds. It discusses empowering children, alternative ways to respond to breastfeeding requests, and strategies for weaning. The importance of supporting emotional needs during the weaning process is emphasized, along with the upcoming book on weaning.
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Defining the "Booby Monster"
- A "booby monster" is a child for whom breastfeeding is the center of their world and primary coping tool.
- Breastfeeding meets a range of needs beyond nutrition, like comfort, connection, and sleep transition.
Weaning Changes Parenting Dynamics
- Weaning a booby monster is extremely difficult and may challenge your feelings of guilt and shame.
- Weaning is not just feeding cessation, but a reconfiguration of the parenting relationship.
Start with Nursing Manners
- Address nursing manners like grabby or pinchy hands by setting clear boundaries and explaining with age-appropriate language.
- Use this as a practice for respecting body autonomy and boundary setting before full weaning.