The benefits of breastfeeding in children’s early life, from nutriment to attachment and consolation. But as babies get older, the need for breastfeeding goes away, and parents might wonder when and how to stop.
That’s a process that, like weaning, is different for every family, and it depends on cultural, physical and emotional factors. We’ll learn in this article the optimal way to wean, when a child is at the point when it’s time to stop breastfeeding, the emotions, and how to do it safely.
1. The Benefits of Breastfeeding
To understand why breastfeeding is crucial for your child’s health and development before we can get into the specifics of when and how to stop. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), breastfeeding must be complete for the first six months of a baby’s life and extended to the appropriate complementary foods for at least two years or more.
You gain all kinds of advantages while breastfeeding, such as:
Protein Content: Breastmilk has all the nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that a baby would require to develop properly, especially in the early months of life.
Immune Protection: Breastmilk provides immunity to the baby which protects him/her against infection and disease.
Relationship: Breastfeeding bonds a mother and bath rough by physical intimacy and touch
Developmental Benefits: Research indicates that breastfeeding helps maintain a healthy brain and is therefore a good thing for your cognitive functioning.
All these things have their price — eventually, mother and baby need to transition to the next stage.
2. When to Stop Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding cessation is also very subjective. There is no one-size-fits-all time as every family’s situation and needs are different.
But a lot can go into this decision, such as whether the child is willing, if the mother is comfortable, and if the doctor wants to see it. Breastfeeding should last as long as the mother and baby want it to (according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), but gradual weaning should be arranged.
- a) Ways To Know If Your Child Is Time to Wean.
Between 12 and 24 months, children begin to demonstrate they are ready to wean. These signs may include:
Lower Motivation to Breastfeed: If your child is not interested in breastfeeding and is distracted during breastfeeding time, then they may not be as reliant on it anymore.
Solid Foods: When a child is between 6 and 9 months, they start to eat solids and no longer depend on breast milk.
More Independence: Your child might be independent as he/she grows older and no longer need the security of breastfeeding so often.
Nighttime Napping: If your child has started sleeping longer without waking to nurse, then he is ready to stop night nursing.
- b) The Mom’s Comfort and Preparedness
Just as your baby may be ready to give up breastfeeding, so too is the maternal emotional and physical readiness for weaning. Mothers may choose to wean for many reasons including:
Going Back to Work: Most moms stop breastfeeding when they go back to work or whenever their routine changes.
Injuries: The nipple is swollen, or the supply of milk is low, making it unpleasant to breastfeed, and so you switch to formula or solids.
Personal Needs: Some mothers are ready to stop breastfeeding when their child is independent or they want more freedom with their daily schedule.
3. Methods for Stopping Breastfeeding
Weaning is gradual and a few tricks can ease the transition for mother and baby.
- a) Gradual Weaning
The majority of pediatricians and experts recommend a gradual weaning process because this gives the child time to adapt and doesn’t result in engorgement or pain in the mother.
Weaning slowly — decreasing the number of times a day your baby breastfeeds over time. For example, you can:
Replace One Feeding at a Time: First, cut out one feeding each week and replace it with a bottle of formula or expressed milk.
Introduce a Cup or Bottle: If your child was used to breastfeeding for comfort, replace the cup or bottle with milk or water.
Cut Back On The Nursing Time: Slowly reduce the time each nursing session until your child doesn’t want it.
- b) Don’t Rush the Process
Keep in mind that weaning needs to be gradual. Fast-tracking is a trigger for the child and the mother. Remember if you have to go back to work or have other commitments, be ahead of the game and change the feeding gradually.
- c) Reassurance and Comforting the Child
Because breastfeeding is a comfort, you should substitute another source of comfort. As you wean them, try to:
Provide Extra Cuddles: Get up a little closer to your baby, give him/her extra skin-to-skin and extra time.
Make Up New Habits: Try new bedtime rituals or nudges, such as reading a book or chanting a lullaby.
Replace a Comfort Element: Replace breastfeeding with a stuffed animal, pacifier or blanket.
- d) Night Weaning
If you are not lactating at night this is a more difficult time as most kids are content to breastfeed to sleep. Here are some ideas for weaning at night:
Give Alternative Comforts: If your baby comes home at night and is expecting to nurse, give him or her a bottle or a hug instead.
Gradually Reduce: Cut back on the hours you breastfeed at night and gradually increase intervals.
Don’t Switch: Once you begin night weaning, you have to keep it straight or your child will be confused.
4. Emotional and Psychological Impact
Weaning is difficult for mother and baby. Breastfeeding is emotional in a way, because it creates this connection between the mother and the baby. That said, weaning can be a defeat for the two of them.
- a) The Mother’s Emotional Response
To some mothers, a halt to breastfeeding may be a sweet relief and liberation, for others it is a bitter pill. Many women are guilt or sad when they cease breastfeeding, especially if they don’t feel that they’re ready to part with this relationship with their child.
Confronting Guilt: Many mothers might be tempted to beat themselves up about ceasing to breastfeed, but you’ve got so many other ways to connect with your baby — through touch, play, and words.
Getting Used to New Habits: Your baby is getting used to weaning, and so will you. There might be new feeding and comfort patterns you’ll have to learn.
- b) The Child’s Emotional Response
Children equate breastfeeding with comfort, safety and food. That means weaning is a difficult process for them emotionally, particularly if they aren’t ready to give up. Patiention, assurance, and consistency are the formula to a smooth ride.
Protest and Rejection: It’s OK if your child is protesting or resisting when you are weaning. Give them extra cuddles and distractions when they are upset. Be patient and kind.
Clinginess: Some children are more clingy or demanding at the time of weaning. They need to be consoled and have other sources of consolation.
5. Common Challenges in Weaning
There are many things to be said for being simple when weaning, but there are also a few problems. Common challenges include:
Breastfeeding Strike: Sometimes, children just won’t breastfeed anymore which can be a hassle. Breastfeeding strike may last a few days or weeks due to distraction, illness or routine disruption.
Engorgement: As milk loss is lowered, engorgement or pain may develop in the mothers. You can reduce this by gradually reducing the number of feeds or pumping your breast to take some pressure off.
Reluctance from the Child: Some children are reluctant to wean, especially if they are emotional with breastfeeding. This is normal and it’s not so hard to overcome with a bit of time and patience.
6. Seeking Professional Support
If you have a difficult time weaning, see if a paediatrician or lactation consultant can help. They will be able to offer you tips tailored to your case and solve any issues that come up.
Conclusion
When and how breastfeeding should stop is a personal decision, and one that should be made with the child’s readiness and the mother’s ease. Weaning isn’t always easy, but if you take your time and work it in slowly, it will be no struggle for either you or your child.
Don’t forget to take it easy on yourself and your child along the way because it’s a messy process. You don’t have to rush, it’s about taking the time to get used to changing so that both of you feel good about it.
To find out more about breastfeeding and weaning, consult authority websites such as American Academy of Pediatrics or the World Health Organization.