End of Breastfeeding: Proper and Safe Cessation of Lactation

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

There's a baby in the house! In addition to incredible happiness, he brought with him many questions and difficulties. And one of the main difficulties is feeding. First you need to establish breastfeeding, then save it, and then be able to wean the baby from the breast as painlessly as possible. What should be the correct end of breastfeeding? And what to do next?

How much should I breastfeed?

We won't go into the pros and cons of breastfeeding and bottlefeeding right now. Let's take it for granted that our newborn baby eats mother's milk - and this article is for mothers of just such babies. And every such mother inevitably raises the question of how long it is necessary to feed the baby with her milk.

I must say right away that there is no unanimous opinion on this matter in the whole wide world. Someone believes that it is already possible to wean a baby from the breast in a year, someone feeds up to two years, and some "especiallyprogressive "mommies continue to do this even when the child has long become completely adult, independent and conscious - the world knows cases of breastfeeding and six-and even ten-year-old children. Such, however, are still a minority. The World He alth Organization is currently recommends keeping breastfeeding until the age of two, but following this recommendation or not is a personal matter for each individual mother. Most women still adhere to the view that too long breastfeeding develops over time into a habit, the need to "suck a tit." "Becomes not a satisfying hunger, but a kind of sedative - like a dummy. Nevertheless, each mother sets her own terms for breastfeeding. But sooner or later they will come to an end anyway, and then a new question will arise. How should breastfeeding be completed?

The baby is also an initiator

For starters, it’s worth remembering that even if the mother has set for herself a specific period when it’s time to “round off” with breastfeeding, the child himself can also initiate the transition to another food - and do it even earlier, what my mother intended. It is probably not a secret for any of the nursing women that the first six months of life the baby does not need anything other than mother's milk. Only after six months (and this is the minimum limiter), experts recommend starting to give the child the so-called complementary foods - vegetable and fruit purees, cereals, and so on. Further. At about the same time, the baby may begin to be interested in solid, "adult" food - watching how and what parents eat and wanting to try it for themselves. Solid food, however, will not suit the baby if he does not yet have teeth - he simply will not have anything to learn to chew. But if a child has already got at least a couple of "bites" and he shows an active interest in "human" food - this is a clear signal for the mother that her baby is ready to part with the familiar and beloved "sissy".

Of course, not immediately, not all at once. There is no such child who could endure the end of breastfeeding so easily and simply, in one sitting. You should not count on this, but you can gradually begin to reduce the number of breastfeeds or the duration of this meal. In any case, a baby at this age should not immediately remain without milk at all. Having saved at first one or two breastfeedings (usually in the evening and at night), then it will be possible to painlessly accustom the baby to cow's milk.

Fast or slow

Many women want to end breastfeeding as soon as possible. However, all experts agree in one opinion: it is impossible to quickly wean a child from the breast - after all, a sharp break in an established intimate relationship with a mother can injure a baby. It is recommended, with patience, to complete this process within three to four months: it is precisely this interval, according to doctors, that is practicallyideal, the most painless for the child and for the mother herself. It is unlikely that any woman will want to get problems associated with the onset of lactostasis. Although, of course, it is impossible to fit everyone into a single framework in any case - for someone, the completion of breastfeeding is much calmer, easier and, accordingly, faster than in the above period. However, doctors say that in order to develop a particular habit (in this case, to stop asking for a mother's breast), a baby, as well as an adult, always needs at least three or even four weeks.

Completing breastfeeding, a woman should think about two things: how to make sure that all this is painlessly endured by her child - firstly, and what to do with her own milk and breasts so that no diseases appear - secondly. We'll talk about the second question later, but for now - baby. How to prepare it?

What to do when you stop breastfeeding: useful tips

1. When breastfeeding, the baby is fed on demand. However, having decided to finish with this way of eating, you can slowly accustom the baby to eat according to the regimen, after a certain amount of time. Of course, provided that the weaning child is large enough and is at least a year old. The number of attachments should be reduced gradually, and then it will be possible to slowly but surely bring them to zero.
2. It is very important for a mother to take care of the completion of breastfeeding in advance - even when the child is actively feeding on her milk. To make it easier than ever - you needbe sure to periodically go somewhere for a couple of hours: whether to go shopping, to a cafe with girlfriends, just to walk along the streets. In the absence of a mother, the baby must learn to interact with other people - who cannot provide him with a breast at his request, and therefore, he will gradually get used to the fact that it is possible, in general, to satisfy his needs and solve problems without a breast. Such a habit will help both the baby herself and her mother later.



3. Having begun weaning, you should try to refuse the baby when he asks for a breast immediately. However, you can’t just say “no”, you must definitely explain why it’s not possible to give a breast to a child now, and promise to do it in the near future. For example: "Baby, wait a bit: now I will finish ironing the clothes, and then I will give you a breast." An important nuance must be taken into account here: many mothers hope that during this time the child will be distracted by something (or are trying hard to distract him themselves) and there will be no need to breastfeed. In no case should you do this - the baby will feel deceived. They promised to give breasts later - which means that they must fulfill their promise. Also, there is no need to immediately set huge gaps between "baby, wait" and a restrained word. Let the baby's request be delayed for five minutes first, then ten minutes, and so on.
4. A baby should have one specific place for feeding, and only there he can receive his mother's breast.
5. You can limit the number of feedings ifagree with the child that he will take the breast only while at home (not on the street / in the store / at a party).
6. If the baby whimpers in response to a refusal, there is no need to give up positions. Light dissatisfied crying can be endured. But if it develops into a protracted tantrum, then it is necessary to give in to the child (but, of course, it is better not to bring it to hysteria).
7. Instead of the breast, you can offer the baby something that he likes from food - in case he is hungry, or something that can keep him occupied and entertained - if he is bored.



8. You can't cut out nighttime breastfeeding before it's gone for the night. As for the latter, in order to remove it, it is necessary to introduce some new ritual of going to bed instead of falling asleep on the chest. Each family has its own - a lullaby, reading a book, soothing tea, and so on. However, it is important to remember that it is this feeding (as well as night feeding) that cannot be removed very quickly. Perhaps a good help would be to gradually reduce the duration of "hanging" on the chest.
9. So that the baby does not ask for a breast in the morning, you need to get up before him and meet his awakening with some of his favorite goodies - so that the baby does not remember about the breast.
10. When deciding to stop breastfeeding, it is important to stand firm and not fall for the tricks and tricks of the little manipulator.
11. When weaning a baby from the breast, you can not leave him without himself for a few days. Many mothers consider this solution to be the most optimal, they say, they will stay without their mother's breast for a couple of days - and that's it. It's inis fundamentally wrong, and can not only injure the baby’s psyche, but also turn into mastitis or lactostasis for the mother herself.
12. To avoid problems with the child's psyche, one should not change the environment familiar to the baby. No need to take him away to visit his grandmother, for example, until the weaning is completed.
13. Some people resort to such drastic measures as smearing their breasts with brilliant green or hot pepper. This is a fairly common mistake that should not be repeated. The child perceives his mother's breast as the most precious, beloved that he has. A chest in brilliant green or pepper for him will be tantamount to as if an adult discovered a thing dear to his heart that was damaged.

Forced termination

There are situations when it is necessary to end breastfeeding urgently. This is usually due to the illness of the mother, when she either goes to the hospital or is forced to take drugs that are incompatible with breastfeeding. In this case, the baby should be transferred to a bottle and an artificial mixture. This process will be completely simple and easy if the baby is not yet a year old (and for babies up to six months it is generally invisible), and somewhat more difficult if the child is already older. In this case, you definitely need to talk to him and explain that mom is sick, and therefore it will no longer be possible to eat her milk.

From the breast milk instantly, of course, will not disappear. A woman will have to express regularly (at least with a breast pump, at least manually) so as not to earn lactostasis or mastitis (a little more about whatthis is for sores, will be discussed later). It is very important: it is necessary to express not completely, but only until a feeling of relief in the chest. Emptying her completely only stimulates further milk production, which is hardly needed for a mother who completes breastfeeding. Her task is to achieve a gradual decrease in lactation, and this is precisely what pumping is aimed at after three to four hours - when the breast is full. If you do not express at all, the milk will not disappear - but the glands will become clogged, and there will be a great risk of the aforementioned diseases. It is also necessary to express in the event, by the way, if the cessation of feeding is temporary, and subsequently the mother plans to return to him.

There are several other ways to achieve the disappearance of lactation. First, there are many drugs on the pharmaceutical market to complete breastfeeding. They are usually used in cases where a really abrupt, emergency cessation of lactation is needed. In no case should you prescribe such a medication for yourself. For any pills to complete breastfeeding, be sure to consult a doctor. Only he will be able to prescribe a drug that is suitable for this particular woman, and also select the right dosage. It should be remembered that any such medication has side effects, which, as a rule, are expressed in dizziness, heart palpitations, and nausea. Among the drugs to complete breastfeeding areDostinex, Bromkriptin.

Another way to end lactation is breast tugging. This is a good old folk remedy, which, however, does not cause the approval of physicians. Due to the contraction of the breast, blood circulation is disturbed and blockage of the milk ducts occurs. According to experts, it is after pulling that many women develop mastitis. The safest method anyway is considered to be a gradual decrease in lactation.

Breast after breastfeeding has ended

It often happens that women complain of chest pain during the cessation of lactation. What to do in this case?

Painful sensations can begin literally on the second or third day after breastfeeding is completed. It is important during this period to take care of your breasts. No constricting bras or tops should be worn, underwear should be well supported but as soft and comfortable as possible.

If the breast hurts at the end of breastfeeding, it is permissible to help it by applying a cold compress or wrapping cabbage leaves, gauze soaked in cold whey, or something else. It is allowed to use infusions of sage and mint - they help reduce lactation, a feeling of relief will come when the chest feels painful, hot and swollen. You can also drink painkillers, because mom is no longer breastfeeding.

What can not be done during the end of lactation is not to starve and not drink. Restriction in water and food does not help the abyssmilk, but harms the mother's body. Also, breasts should not be warmed.

Chest pain: mastitis and lactostasis

Sometimes the fact that the breast hurts after breastfeeding can indicate the development of a serious disease, such as lactostasis or mastitis. Having found signs of any of these ailments, you must immediately take measures to eliminate them, without delaying treatment. Next, we will briefly describe what these diseases are.

Lactostasis

Lactostasis is less terrible than mastitis, but also unpleasant. These are seals in the chest, in the mammary glands. They appear due to excess milk. If the seals are small and there is no temperature, it is possible to defeat lactostasis with the help of cold.

Some apply compresses with Vishnevsky's ointment, which also removes inflammation well, some treat the seal with a laser or ultrasound. However, everything is much more serious if the place of compaction is swollen, reddened, the temperature has risen. Then lactostasis can turn into mastitis.

Mastitis

Mastitis is an inflammation of the mammary gland. It can be recognized by severe redness and swelling, bursting constant pain (and not only on palpation, as with lactostasis), as well as high temperature. Pus is also often found in milk. If mastitis is not treated in time, everything can end very badly - gangrene, and then surgery will be required.

First period

Any woman who decides to stop breastfeeding should understand: menstruation afterthe end of breastfeeding will come inevitably. For everyone, they begin in different ways, for someone in the very first month after the abolition of breastfeeding, for someone after one or two. It also happens that menstruation resumes even during lactation. It all depends solely on the characteristics of the woman's body - each has its own.

The above details what to do when you stop breastfeeding and how to stay he althy. Let's hope this information is helpful.