Breastfeeding often has to be stopped because you return to work after maternity leave, but also for health reasons or simply because it is time to wean your baby. Stopping breastfeeding suddenly can cause breast pain, obstruction of a milk duct and, in addition, the baby will be quite confused. Learn how to gradually wean your baby by following these steps.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Establish an Action Plan
Step 1. Decide what you want to use to replace breast milk
When you're ready to stop breastfeeding, you need to find a type of milk that contains all the nutrients your baby needs. Follow your pediatrician's directions about feeding to make the transition period easier when your baby has to get used to switching from breast to bottle. Here are some good options for moms who decide to stop breastfeeding:
- Continue to feed him breast milk by pulling him from the breast with a special tool. You don't have to deny him breast milk if you don't have the ability to breastfeed. This is a great option for moms who don't have much time, but don't want to stop feeding their baby with their milk.
- Replace breast milk with formula. Ask your pediatrician for the most suitable milk for your baby.
- Replace breast milk with solid food and cow's milk. If the baby is already 4 or 5 months old, he is ready to start eating solid foods with breast milk or formula. From one year on, you can take cow's milk.
Step 2. Decide if you should wean your baby on a bottle
In some cases, when breastfeeding is interrupted, the baby may be accustomed to using the drip bottle or cup. Take the following factors into consideration:
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Babies need to be fed fluids in the form of breast milk or formula for the first year, but they can start taking it from one cup as early as the fourth month.
Stop Breast Feeding Step 2Bullet1 - Babies who start bottle-drinking after the age of 1 may develop tooth decay and other dental problems.
Method 2 of 3: The Transition Phase
Step 1. Replace one feed per day
To wean your baby gradually, replace one feed per day with the alternative food. Pour the pumped or formula milk into a bottle or cup for baby to eat.
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Take him to a different room than usual. Weaning is both a physical and a psychological transition. Doing this in a new room can help your child accept change more easily, preventing them from associating a particular atmosphere with food.
Stop Breast Feeding Step 3Bullet1 - He needs to feel safe, so pamper him more during the transition.
Step 2. Replace two feedings a day, every other day
As the baby gets used to the new type of feeding, insert the new food twice a day every other day. Don't be in too much of a hurry, as this could confuse the baby and ruin the weaning.
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Always offer him milk (breast milk or formula) in the cup or bottle before feeding him, even if you have to breastfeed him. This will get him used to the alternative, which is an essential step in the transition.
Stop Breast Feeding Step 4Bullet1 - Minimize breastfeeding.
- Continue to replace bottle or cup feeding until the transition is complete.
Step 3. Help the baby get used to it by disconnecting the various activities from the breastfeeding routine
For example, many babies are breastfed before bedtime. Start putting your baby to bed without breastfeeding him first, so that he doesn't feel the need to feed to sleep well.
- Replace feeding with another routine activity. For example, you could read him a story, play a little, or rock him before bedtime.
- Do not replace feeding with an object, such as a soft toy or pacifier, as weaning will become more difficult for the baby to deal with.
Step 4. Offer the baby more comfort to compensate for the lack of breastfeeding
Babies are in great need of the physical contact that is usually created during the feed. Therefore it is important to pamper him more during weaning.
Method 3 of 3: Coping with Complications
Step 1. Don't change your mind
Weaning is different for each baby. Some take several months to get used to without any problems. In the meantime, don't give up. Continue to follow the plan, gradually replacing breastfeeding for as long as necessary.
- When a baby is sick, he needs more care, so in these cases you can go back to breastfeeding him.
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Let the child spend more time with his father or other relatives as it can be useful. The company of other people helps with growth and, after a while, he will no longer rely so much on feeding and the comfort that comes with it.
Stop Breast Feeding Step 7Bullet2
Step 2. Know when to take your baby to the pediatrician
Some transitions such as weaning can cause medical complications. If you are unsure whether weaning is the healthiest choice for your baby, see your pediatrician immediately. Beware of the following ailments that generally occur during weaning:
- The baby refuses to eat solid foods even if he is 6 or 8 months old by now.
- The child has developed tooth decay.
- The baby only focuses on you and breastfeeding, but does not seem interested in other people or other activities.
Step 3. Don't forget to make the transition easier for your body as well
When the baby sucks less milk, the breast will start producing less. However, it can sometimes swell too much or become inflamed. Try the following techniques to make the transition smoother:
- Pump some milk, either with the pump or by hand, when you skip feedings. Do not empty the breasts completely, otherwise the body will tend to produce more milk.
- If you need to relieve discomfort, apply cold compresses to your breasts 3 or 4 times a day, for 15 to 20 minutes. It serves to reduce inflammation and narrow the membranes that produce milk.
