Booby Moon: A weaning book for toddlers. Creating magic, wonder and ritual for a more joyful experience for all

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By using the Web site, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to be bound by the Terms and Conditions. In the same way that the Tooth Fairy makes children happy about their teeth falling out, looking forward to seeing Booby-milk-magic fly away to Booby Moon can give the same wondrous joy to a weaning toddler. As in Reid’s real life, the mum and toddler in the book mark the occasion, on the night of the toddler’s birthday, by having one last feed before releasing a glow-in-the-dark helium balloon, thanking the milk and waving goodbye as it floats away. This is a beautifully illustrated book about weaning which helps your little ones prepare to move off of breast milk and onto food.

However, my son noticed the book on my desk and asked me to read it to him, and he’s since requested it many more times.Even though we’re not officially weaning yet, he’s fascinated by the idea that the toddler in Booby Moon doesn’t need milk anymore, and I can see it’s a first step towards laying the foundations.

Still, I found this book to be a sweet idea for a weaning ritual in a culture that lacks any such thing to provide closure for those who have chosen to breastfeed into the toddler years. Born to Korean and American parents in the latter half of the 20th century, moving around the United States several times before he was 18, Bobby Moon has always considered himself somewhat of an outcast. Book features an illustration of a mother cuddling her toddler to sleep instead of nursing them at night (bed-sharing). Maybe we’ll have a party and release a magical balloon; maybe we’ll just talk about how he doesn’t need milk anymore, “Like the toddler in Booby Moon!

She was dismayed to find, though, that none of the popular weaning storybooks struck the right tone. The ritual aspect of the Booby Moon process helps mother and toddler find an easeful acceptance for Booby Milk going away - with the child seeing the magic leave with their own eyes. Using the 'Booby Moon' story was such an easy and beautiful experience that it needs to be shared with parents around the world. I am still in a bit of disbelief about how well it worked, while being respectful of him and making it a celebration at the same time.

The ritual aspect of the Booby Moon process helps mother and toddler find an easeful acceptance for Booby Milk going away – with the child seeing the magic leave with their own eyes. When the time came for Kiwi Yvette Reid to stop breastfeeding her toddler son, she knew storytelling would help make the transition easier for him. I thought some of the book might have had an effect on him, but I did not expect such an immediate and magical change. His first full length solo recording Private Message, is now available on the Selfish Recordings label.

I'll admit, while I was excited to give reading the book a go, I had a healthy amount of skepticism about how much it would help. Studies show the practice of ritual during times of loss alleviates grief, makes us feel closer to our families and helps us to say goodbye. The back section of Booby Moon contains kind, insightful guidance for using the book to facilitate weaning.