How to stop breastfeeding

The easy way to wean is the slow and gradual method. If weaning is not happening as quickly as you would like, or if you are not seeing any signs of your child’s nursing sessions decreasing in frequency or duration, you might take matters into your own hands. The easiest way to start the weaning process is to reduce the number of nursing sessions per day.

To do this, you should identify one nursing session that you would like to drop. Sometimes there is an obvious nursing session that you know your child can easily drop, such as the five-minute session in the afternoon that is not connected to any sleep sessions. Other times, you might not have a time that stands out as a good option, and you just have to choose the best one. Remove the same nursing session at the same time every day. This will allow your milk supply to adjust. By allowing your body to adjust to dropping one feeding at a time, you can help to prevent problems that can occur with sudden weaning, such as blocked ducts or mastitis. You will want to wait three or four days before removing another feeding. Or perhaps removing just one feeding is where you are ready to stay for now.

The trick is to determine what to do in place of the nursing session you remove. If the nursing session was a long, nutritive session, a snack is in order. Sometimes it can be a good idea to offer a snack and then nurse for just a minute or two, instead of the full nursing session. Other times, you might choose to go cold turkey with that session.

If you remove breast milk feedings, ensure that your child is getting enough calories and the appropriate nutrients from replacement foods. Some families choose to replace nursing sessions with cups of either cow’s milk, rice milk, or soy milk for toddlers over the age of one year, whereas other families substitute meals. Cow’s milk is not a requirement for good health. In fact, many children have problems with dairy. If your baby is younger than one year of age, you should check with your pediatrician for what you should substitute in place of the nursing session. There are more options than you might believe.

How to stop breastfeeding

How Long Will Weaning take?

To determine how long weaning will take, first look at the number of nursing sessions your child has per day. Multiply that number by the four to seven days it will take to reduce each session. So, if your child is currently nursing six times per day, it will probably take between twenty-four and forty-two days to wean (6 × 4 = 24; 6 × 7 = 42), depending on your body and your little one. The best answer is to proceed according to your and your child’s needs. Remember, it might take varying lengths of time to eliminate each session. For example, your child might give up an afternoon session in the three-tofour- day range, but she will probably hold on to a pre-bed nursing session for longer.

Avoid Going Cold Turkey

There are very few reasons to go cold turkey when weaning a child. Doing so can cause you physical pain and discomfort, as well as bring emotional distress for you and your little one. A slower weaning process is usually easier on everyone involved.

ConFidenCe Cue

you and your child should decide when to wean. tell naysayers you are confident in your decision. this can be hard if you are hearing a lot of pressure to wean, particularly from family. sometimes it’s not even what relatives say, but how they act. such judgment is often what leads some women to nurse only at home or in secret. don’t hide! have confidence that you are not alone in nursing a child who is no longer a newborn.

Prevent Breast Problems When Weaning

Sometimes weaning can cause physical problems. The most common physical issues that mothers face during the weaning process are:

• Plugged ducts


• Mastitis (breast infection)


• Pain


• Engorgement

These symptoms can usually be reduced greatly, or even eradicated, with a slow weaning process. If you start to feel engorgement, this can be a signal that your body is weaning too quickly. Try to slow down a bit and see if your engorgement eases up.

Do not make the mistake of adding a pumping session to relieve pain from engorgement. Pumping and other forms or breast stimulation will only encourage your body to make more milk. Some mothers recommend lining your bra with cabbage leaves at night to help signal your body to dry up your breast milk. There are also some commercial products that claim to be weaning aids. However, there is no good medicinal solution to aid you in drying up your breast milk. Try to wear a tight bra to ease discomfort. You might also try some overthecounter pain relievers.

Your baby might also experience some negative symptoms associated with weaning. The most common physical reaction will be changes in bowel habits. This is frequently a combination of the lesser amount of breast milk and the foods you have substituted for the breast milk. Water and fiber can go a long way toward get a child’s bowels moving.

Exercise is also helpful. Occasionally, you might see some food allergies as well. If you notice rashes, a runny nose, or other obvious signs, talk to your pediatrician for advice about dealing with food allergies.

How to stop breastfeeding