Advice for new mothers: how to stop breastfeeding

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

How to stop breastfeeding? For many mothers, this problem becomes the number one issue. It is more correct to apply in this case the concepts of "refusal" (independent completion of breastfeeding by a child) and "weaning" (the initiative to stop breastfeeding comes from the mother). In both cases, there are objective and subjective reasons.

How much can I breastfeed?

If you refer to the World He alth Organization, then, in her opinion, a reasonable period of breastfeeding is up to the age of two years. This is explained by the fact that in the mother’s breast milk, when the child’s second year is coming, there are antibodies that prevent most of the diseases that the baby is undoubtedly susceptible to, and enzymes with which it will be easier for the baby to digest adult food in the future. And this is not to mention the minerals and vitamins that enter the child's body in an easily digestible form.

How to stop breastfeeding

First of all, you should decide at what age you are going todo this, because the baby is psychologically necessary to prepare for this stage:

- Age up to six months. You will need donor milk or an adapted milk formula and, of course, a pacifier. The point is that the baby's sucking is very pronounced, and it has a calming effect.

- Six to nine months old. Until now, an adapted milk formula or mother's milk remains a priority, but it will be easier to accustom a child to adult food. To do this, it should be introduced in very small portions solely as an introduction, and not as a replacement for the main food. The pacifier remains in the “diet” for now.

- Age nine to twelve months. Complementary feeding with adult food before mother's milk should be increased. At the same time, it's time to give a spoon or a cup to the pens instead of the bottle he so loves. However, be sure to monitor the behavior of the child: if you feel that adaptation is still going at a very slow pace, it is better to refuse such significant complementary foods and continue to feed naturally - with mother's milk.

- Age from one to one and a half years. This is the time for the complete transition of the child to adult food, however, with a pronounced preservation of the sucking reflex, he may need a dummy.

At a later age, the breast for a child is no longer a way to fill his stomach, but a kind of bridge between him and his mother.

Practical Tips

So, you have decided to take this step, and now you just need to learn how to end breastfeedingpractically.

Golden rule before action: take your time! In no case should you do this, otherwise the mental he alth of the child will suffer. As a rule, weaning may take a period of several weeks to several months - everything is individual. The whole process comes down to observing the behavior of the baby. As soon as you "caught" the time in which the child does not practically need the breast - remove the feeding and replace it with a walk, play, or something else similar. Basically, take a break. As soon as this removed moment of feeding becomes the norm, follow the baby again and cancel another attachment. And with such small steps you will reach the final result.

I want to believe that now the question of how to end breastfeeding will not become a dead end for you.