How do I wean breastfeeding.

I need to ask few more questions before answering your query. Early consultations can prevent complications. Kindly contact me on whatsapp chat  (84960595 six five) Dr Faisal Zoheb MBBS , MD PAEDIATRICS , PGPN (BOSTON), FELLOWSHIP IN NEONATOLOGY ( Newborn and vaccination specialist )

At 20 months, frequent waking every 30 minutes both day and night is usually more than simply “needing breastfeeding.” Breastfeeding has probably become a sleep association—the child needs the breast to fall back asleep between normal sleep cycles. A practical way to wean Don’t stop abruptly. Use a gradual 2–3 week approach. 1. Start with daytime feeds * Stop one feed at a time, preferably the least important feed. * Replace it with food, water, cuddling, play or another activity. * After 3–4 days, remove the next feed. 2. Break the “breast → sleep” association For naps and bedtime, change the sequence to: Dinner → bath → pajamas → story/song → cuddling → sleep Try to keep breastfeeding 20–30 minutes before putting him to bed rather than feeding until asleep. 3. Night waking This is the key issue. Choose a consistent approach: * For the first few nights, when he wakes, comfort him without immediately breastfeeding. * Pat/rock/cuddle, offer a little water if appropriate. * If he strongly protests, you can breastfeed briefly, but gradually shorten the duration. * Then progressively increase the interval before offering breastfeeding. A partner can sometimes settle him at night more successfully because he doesn’t associate them with breastfeeding. 4. Expect protest Crying/protesting for several nights is common. It doesn’t mean the child is being harmed, provided you remain responsive and reassuring. Consistency is much more important than doing it perfectly.

About the waking every 30 minutes I would not assume this is purely behavioral without assessing the child. Ask about: * Snoring or mouth breathing * Pauses/gasping during sleep * Very restless sleep * Enlarged tonsils/adenoids * Nasal obstruction * Eczema/itching * Reflux or chronic cough * Iron deficiency/restless sleep * Excessive daytime sleepiness or behavioral problems

At 20 months, complete weaning is not medically mandatory. WHO recommends breastfeeding up to 2 years and beyond alongside complementary foods if mother and child desire it.

Greetings Night weaning should be a gradual process that starts by breaking the connection between feeding and falling asleep. To reduce this sleep association, finish the final breastfeed at least 30 minutes before bedtime, ideally following an early dinner and a warm bath. If your child wakes up or struggles to settle, try rocking them, patting them gently, or offering a sip of water instead of a feed. As you slowly decrease the frequency of night feeds, you can begin addressing daytime feedings as well. While the transition may be challenging at first, children naturally adapt over time.

Weaning can be initially started for night feeds but gradually. Till now the child would have considered as a sleep association to drink milk and fall asleep. You need to reduce that first. Make sure you give early dinner, bath and breast feed should be completed Atleast half an hour before his sleep time. You can rock, pat him gently or give him some water and gradually reduce the number of feeds and then you can do it with day time feeds. Initially it would be difficult but eventually they will outgrow

At 20 months, breastfeeding can still be continued, but if you wish to wean, do it gradually rather than stopping suddenly. Since he has developed a habit of breastfeeding to fall asleep, first try to separate feeding from sleep. Give the last breastfeed before the bedtime routine, then use cuddling, rocking, a story or another caregiver to help him fall asleep. Gradually reduce one feed at a time, starting with daytime feeds and later the night feeds.

Give formula milk

Visit physically to nearby pediatrician.