You may know her best as former Miss Universe Australia, but Renae Ayris now has a new feather in her cap — weaning her daughter off breastfeeding.
The mother-of-one shared a video on Instagram detailing how she weened her young daughter, Harper, off the feeding process.
In the video, which has gained more than 30 million views — Ayris’ highest-reaching post yet — Harper can be seen tugging at her mother’s dress.
Ignoring her mother — who is asking for a kiss — Harper can be heard letting out a little scream as Ayris, 32, pulls her dress back up.
The captions read: “Firstly — this is just what I did. Doesn’t mean it’s right or what you should do (*Harper has also never had any sort of weight gain problem).
“I was continuously googling what I should do, and I was really nervous to completely stop breastfeeding. Firstly I knew that it was a big comfort for her and secondly she never took a bottle. I also tried formula in her sippy cup and she would spit it out.
“I knew I wanted to start weaning her around 12 months old. I dropped the night time feeds before any others because I knew I was just being used as a dummy most nights and I well and truly needed a full night’s sleep.
“I had to have Andrew go in for the night settles for 2 nights and then she was fine (we did follow a sleep program for that). Then 2 weeks later I dropped all the feeds except 1 afternoon feed and the morning feed.
“I then dropped the afternoon feed around a week later but continued with the morning feeds for about another month. She would only occasionally hint at wanting ‘boob’ throughout the day (big hint in video above, can confirm I never got that kiss) and she was a little confused to begin with BUT I would explain ‘it’s all gone’ and find her one of her favourite snacks to have instead.
“As for supplementing her milk with something else — we haven’t.
“She has cow’s milk in her porridge/weetbix most mornings and she has a well-balanced diet. If your little one does take a bottle that’s great, but I have a dummy hating, bottle-hating bub and I know a lot of you messaged saying you were freaking out about what you will do, so I hope this helps anyone even in the slightest.”
Model and sports presenter Erin Holland commented on the post: “Coming to you for this advice one day gf,” with a hand clap emoji.
Many others also engaged with the post, sharing their own experiences.
“Omg my 3 month old refuses bottles and dummies. Have tried all sorts of techniques, bottles and teats, fresh breast milk… nothing works!,” one commented.
“If you want her to stop breastfeeding you have to have a bottle ready when she’s ready for a bottle wow it’s not that hard,” another shared.
One said: “Personally I disagree I believe it’s absolutely normal to breastfeed over a year. I know some mums until age of 3 for kids breast milk is definitely better support and can’t be replaced with cows milk also there’s is full on article about why human shouldn’t drink cows milk. But it’s your choice however more natural way would be way better for your child just saying.”
Ayris responded — setting the record straight.
“I’m not at all saying it’s ‘not normal’. This is just what I decided to do,” she said.
Blown away by the engagement on the post, Ayris’ husband — athlete and fitness trainer Andrew ‘Pap’ Papadopoulos — shared a screenshot of the video to his story with the caption “alright settle down”.
The couple married in 2019 and moved from Sydney to Ayris’ hometown of Perth in 2020.
On June 24, 2021 they announced their pregnancy via an Instagram post, detailing their fertility struggles and calling their baby “our little miracle”.
Later that year – on December 19 – they announced the birth of their little girl, Harper Lee Papadopoulos, on Instagram.
Harper looked adorable in a pink floral wrap with a matching headband, next to a sign that said “hello world”.
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