How to Approach Weaning a Child from the Breast
Considerations when Stopping Breastfeeding
Mar 2, 2009
What should a nursing mother consider if she plans to wean her baby from breastfeeding? It may help you, the breastfeeding mother, to separate your own feelings from the attitudes of others by talking with a breastfeeding counsellor or attending a breastfeeding support group meeting, where you can chat to mothers who are weaning or have weaned babies and hear differing approaches.
Until around the middle of the first year, the healthy full-term baby needs only your milk and no other food or drink to achieve optimal growth, development and health.
If you plan to wean your baby:
- Eliminate one feeding daily no more often than every few days. Substitute a feed when your baby is relaxed and you can focus on helping him accept an alternative to nursing. Ideally this should not be the first or last feed of the day or when you are distracted and not providing him with your full attention.
- Express a little milk if your breasts feel full, until you feel comfortable. Your body will get the signal to make less milk over time. Weaning abruptly might lead to a breast infection as well as causing your child distress.
- A lot of extra love and attention in other forms will be needed during weaning. Try, for example, introducing more activities, read stories, rub his back, sing and dance. Many mothers feel the urge to distance themselves from their child for fear he will insist on breastfeeding; however, your child needs reassurance that his mum still loves him. The use of a sling or baby carrier may help you keep your child close while you are busy doing other things.
Your breasts will continue to make a small amount of milk for some time after weaning. Some women carry on lactating a bit for months or even years, so don’t be alarmed. See The Breastfeeding Answer Book by Nancy Mohrbacher, published by La Leche League International, third revised edition 2003; 191–207 for more information on weaning.
Ready to Wean?
Weaning is a big change for both you and your child. There is no advantage to rushing as it takes time to adjust. Weaning doesn’t have to be all or nothing. You can continue breastfeeding without cutting it out by simply nursing less frequently. Be attentive to your child's reactions. For example, when he is ill he may want to breastfeed more often. When he feels better you can always resume the weaning.
Weaning too quickly?
If your child becomes upset or insists on breastfeeding when you try to distract or comfort him, this may be a sign that weaning is going too quickly or that different strategies might be more effective.
Other signs that weaning may be proceeding too quickly include an increase in clinginess, more frequent night waking, biting, a new attachment to a comfort object, a fear of separation, stomach upsets and constipation.
Partial weaning is kinder to both of you if you are entering a battle of wills.
When to Wean Is Your Decision
Every mother needs to evaluate whether what she hopes to gain by weaning is worth the effort she is putting into achieving it.There is no need to wean just because you perceive this to be the thing to do at a given time. All children will wean of their own accord if trusted to do so. However, breastfeeding is a two-way relationship so aim to make your own decision based upon your own family's unique circumstances. There is no one correct time to wean. Try to listen to your child and just follow your heart.
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