Some babies naturally give up nursing at around 8 or 9 months wile others continue for much longer. As with all aspects of a child’s development there is no specific time to stop and the decision is really up to the mother personal choice. Milk is a complete food for all babies up to 6 months after which iron reserves become depleted and the milk needs to be supplemented by other foods.
It’s a good idea to cut down on nursing slowly. Some babies will gradually take less as they build up on their solids and others have to be encouraged to wean. The hardest feeds to cut down on are usually the feeds at bedtime and upon waking. You may be happy to continue with these for a longer period.
It is unusual for both mother and baby to want to give up at the same time: sometimes it is the mother who is ready to give up first and sometimes the baby. Perhaps you have decided to go back to work or perhaps you have simply had enough. A mother should not feel guilty because she has not let her baby decide when to stop nursing.
Some babies are reluctant to stop nursing even though the mother would really like to stop. In this case homeopathy can help. Constitutional homeopathic treatment can be of great benefit to help both mother and baby move happily onto the next stage.
What is Constitutional Homeopathic Treatment
Constitutional treatment, simply stated, involves taking the whole person into account as far as this is possible an treating the person simultaneously on all levels – physical, mental and emotional. The expression ‘treat the person, not the disease’ is an expression often used by homeopaths to simply express the idea behind this philosophy.
Why do I need to see a homeopath for Constitutional Homeopathic Treatment?
The main reason for this is that it is very difficult to observe yourself or anyone close to you in an objective or ‘unprejudiced’ way. Someone outside the situational will be better placed to see the overall picture because we all have our ‘blind-spots’. This is why even homeopaths visit other homeopaths for constitutional treatment!
The process of finding a constitutional remedy will involve taking a detailed case history and discovering as much as possible what makes you an individual. Professional homeopaths are specially trained to do this through detailed analysis of your symptoms and many other aspects of your being such as dreams, fears and food preferences.
Self-Help or Acute Remedies
If a problem arises with weaning here are some remedies that can be tried and may help in the short term.
For the child
Ignatia
For a child who is very upset by the transition and cries a great deal this classic remedy for grief could be helpful.
Pulsatilla
For the child who needs lots of comfort and reassurance and is weepy and clingy then this remedy is often indicated.
For the mother
Lac Caninum
Dries up mother’s milk or to decrease the supply if it is over abundant and gushing everywhere.
Pulsatilla
Helps to dry up milk when breast are sore and swollen after weaning in spite of having taken Lac caninum.
Ricinus Communis
6c improves milk secretion while 30c reduces supply.