All you need to do is gradually increase his table food intake and other liquids - from a cup. The weaning process will start on it's own and your son will likely wean himself, you'll just be there to help him along.

Certainly don't worry about it now - there is no need.

You are absolutely doing the right thing by following your feelings about your child still needing to breastfeed. The AAP says breastfeeding for at least a year and thereafter what is wanted by mother and baby. However, the World Health Organization says they recommend breastfeeding fo 2 years and then thereafter what is wanted by mother and baby. In many places around the world, breastfeeding toddlers is viewed as normal. People who think that there is something wrong with this likely have not been around lots of breastfeeding mothers and children and I think them to be a little obtuse! You do not have to put any time limits on it and if you do and change your mind that' okay too. You may get to 2 and decide that there is still a need. There are some babies who break their mothers heart by deciding to wean on theit own at 13-14 months. Best to watch your baby and you will know when it is time to move on.

Breastfeeding in the 2nd year has many benefits. The breastmilk has many protective effects of keeping baby from getting sick. It ensures that your toddler, who seems to eat nothing, is still getting plenty of good nutrition. The IQ thing is cumulative so longer breastfeeding = smarter child. It provides the child with the physical and emotional comfort they need to become secure individuals. (I always wonder what mothers do to comfort their small child when they don't breastfeed. It's like having a broken magic wand!) Also the protection breastfeeding provides against Breast Cancer for women is cumulative as well.

Weaning starts the moment when you first begin introducing solids. When the time comes, many mothers begin dropping the least missed or important feeding and so it starts to happen naturally that the child will begin eating more food. Then you drop the next one and so on and so forth. It can help to also set restrictions like no nursing in certain places. As terrible as it is that some people view nursing an older baby as "weird", you will get to a point where your toddler may be trying to stand on his head while nursing and this is where the rule normally comes in. You may also decide to adopt the no nursing till sunlight rule. Many moms also follow the don't offer don't refuse rule. And it can be helpful to avoid sitting in down in places where you normally nurse. Kids are smart, you may be trying to wean and your toddler sees you on the phone sitting down. Knowing you will oblige to keep him quiet, there he goes!

Anyway, it doesn't sound like you are there yet. So until then, happy nursing. Your son is blessed to have a mamma who can follow her good instincts about what is right for him.

Sarah --

My twins, now almost 21 months, have gradually dropped a nursing session here and there during the day. They still like to nurse before bedtime, although I think that is more about some snuggle time than about being hungry.

You may find that over the next several months your baby does the same thing -- gets more and more full from food and wants to nurse less and less.

I think I could wean my girls now but I am realizing how much I would miss it! But we skip a night here and there and they are OK with that -- I am too, for the most part.

I felt much the same way as you: that I would keep an open mind about long-term nursing. And while in some ways I will be glad when we are finished, I absolutely have no regrets or doubts that keeping on nursing has been the right thing for all of us!

Good luck,

Laura