Early Weaning: A Time of Transition for Baby…and Mom
Chandra Hamilton was planning to breastfeed her son far into his toddler years. So, when night weaning led to a complete weaning, she wasn’t quite sure how to handle her unfulfilled expectations. This is her story of the emotions surrounding early weaning and the new Attachment Parenting practices she learned to maintain the connection between her and her son that breastfeeding had provided for their first 15 months together.
“As each new talent emerges, toddlers get busy and forget to do lots of things: watch in front of them when moving, pick up toys before stepping on them, and eat. They fight the fork, the spoon, and even self-feeding in an effort to get back to their most important work: play.
Some toddlers make up by nursing even more at night. Sometimes this continues to work for both mother and toddler. Sometimes, however, Mother chooses to night wean.
In this case, night weaning led to day weaning, and soon, my toddler was completely off the breast long before I ever considered the idea.” More…
The Dead Balloon: Resolving Sibling Rivalry
Shoshana Hayman, director of Israel’s Center for Attachment Parenting, debuts our “Kids are for Life!” column with an article illustrating a parent’s true role in resolving sibling rivalry.
“It was a typical birthday party: Balloons, ice cream, games, and party favors filled the day with happiness and excitement for Karen and the group of friends she invited to celebrate her eighth birthday. Her older sister went to the neighborhood gift shop to surprise Karen with a special helium balloon in her favorite colors.
While Karen wasn’t looking, her younger sister pierced the prized helium balloon with a pin. Her mother caught her daughter in this mischievous act but decided to handle the situation after the party. When all the guests went home, she went with balloon in hand to find Karen in her bedroom.” More…
MORE ARTICLES:
Pregnancy & Birth
- Pregnant with Heart and Soul: An Interview with Netherlands author Riet van Dooij
Sleep Challenges
- The Bedtime Challenge
Responding with Sensitivity
- Barbie and Disney Princesses Every Which Way
- Nature Therapy
- What Children REALLY Want: An interview with American author Licia Rando
Discipline
- The Playgroup Altercation: Part 1 – Your Child is the Hitter by Canadian author Judy Arnall
- Where to Draw the Line? Exploring Boundaries, Limits, and Consequences
Family Balance
- The Self-Care Challenge
Fatherhood
- Attachment by Accident
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