Breastfeeding is an experience many parents cherish, but there comes a time in every parenting relationship when you'll want or need to swap out the breast for other forms of nourishment. Stopping breastfeeding, or weaning, is a process that can take weeks or months, according to experts at Baby Center. Both you and your baby need time to adjust to the new feeding routines. A few tips can help make the transition from breast to bottle or solids an easier one.
Choosing When to Wean
Some women breastfeed only for the first few months while others hang in there for years. While experts have varying opinions on when to stop, ultimately the decision will be up to you and your child. Breastfeeding experts at La Leche League International recommend breastfeeding for as long as you and your child both enjoy the breastfeeding relationship. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for six months, followed by an additional six months of breast milk plus supplemental solid foods. The Nemours Foundation's informational site Kids Health points out that the easiest time to wean is around one year. When you nurse for more than one year, your child grows stronger attachments to the process and may have a harder time giving it up.
Wean Gradually
Your breast means more than nourishment to your child. It's a source of comfort, security and intimacy. Withholding your breast, especially after an exclusive breastfeeding relationship, can prove traumatic for your child, according to Baby Center. Start by replacing one major feed per day with an alternate food source. Slowly replace breastfeeding sessions, saving your child's favorite feeding time for last. Adopt a "don't offer, don't refuse" policy to see if your child is ready to wean on his own. You may find he requests your breast less often, or you may find that decreasing breastfeeding activities makes him ask even more. Communicate openly with your child about this transition.
Nurture in Other Ways
Often feeding isn't what parents and children have to adjust to during the weaning process. Find new ways to foster that intimate bonding experience. Another benefit to alternate bonding activities, according to Kids Health, is that they can serve as a distraction during times when you'd normally breastfeed. Create new routines such as cuddling or games during usual feeding times. Avoid sitting in your usual breastfeeding places and positions during cuddle time to discourage falling into old routines. Keep plenty of fun snacks on hand to offer your child in place of breast milk.
Know When to Quit
Weaning is a process, and like all processes, sometimes it's one step forward, two steps back. If your child has an especially hard time with weaning, he might just not be ready. It's okay to take a step back and add in a session at the breast. If your child gets sick or if your family goes through a major transition, your child might cling to breastfeeding as a means of comfort, according to Baby Center. If your first weaning attempt fails, simply try again in a few weeks or try to wean more gradually. You'll get there in time.
