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 The decision to stop breastfeeding can be very hard for both infant and mother. Some babies find it distressing and it also causes a lot of mixed feeling for the mother. The mother may be happy because she will gain a little bit more free time.
Stop breastfeeding gradually.
One thing that mothers have to remember is that breastfeeding should not be stopped abruptly as this can cause both physical and mental stress. For some mothers this step naturally occurs when their babies start getting more interested in other food items.
Substitute breast milk with?
The first thing you have to do when deciding to stop breastfeeding is to substitute breast milk with another meal. It can be solid food (if your baby is already capable of eating solids) or it can be a bottle or a cup of milk. At this point, it is important to note that most babies take to the cup better than to the bottle during the weaning process.
Other methods to stop breastfeeding?
Another method is to gradually refuse a certain breastfeeding session. It is important that you pick out the least favorite feeding session of the baby and start with that. The most needed will be “before sleeping” and the “just woke up” milk drinking ritual. You can distract his desire to breastfeed in between this period by introducing solid food. After a week or two of successful substitution, you can then move forward to further solid food replacement. Always keep in mind that you have to provide adequate interval between each substitution so that your baby can adjust to the changes.
Weaning an older child?
If you are weaning an older child who can now easily understand instructions, you can then verbally discourage him from breastfeeding. This can be done with a thorough explanation as well as a favorable substitution to the breastfeeding session. However, you must never be forceful as it can make the child feel rejected and cause him a lot of stress.
Possible side effect of stopping breastfeeding?
One side effect to stopping breastfeeding is discomfort for the mother. More often than not, the mother experience engorgement of the breast due to pent up milk supply. This can be avoided by constant milk expression. If you are feeling uncomfortable or your breasts are painful, a cool compress can help relieve the pain.
old wives remedy?
An old wives remedy of putting cabbage leaves on your breast also works, since the leaves tend to cool down your skin. One thing that you shouldn’t do is to bind your breasts to stop the production of milk; this process does not work, and is also very painful and definitely will not lead to the cessation of milk flow. Some light pain medication like Tylenol and Advil can also be taken to help relieve the pain of engorged breasts.
Abrupt weaning of your baby is not advised.
Abrupt weaning is not advised, unless you are really sick and taking medications that can harm your baby or if the baby needs to be separated from you for a long period of time. Other than that, you should not stop breastfeeding, not even if your baby is sick. A sick baby can still be made to take breast milk which can further nourish him.
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