How To Wean Your Baby

Popular question amongst moms is “how do I stop breastfeeding?” There are two ways: baby-led and mother-led. Mother-led weaning is when a mom decides to no longer breastfeed the baby probably because the milk supply is low or you’ll be going back to work. Baby-led is when the baby manifests signs that she no longer wants the breast by pushing it away.

Mother led weaning should never be instant. There are practical steps that are recommended by experts for moms who wants to wean their baby.

1.  Replace breastfeeding session with breast milk in milk bottles

Instead of instantly skipping a breastfeeding session, suction the breast milk into milk bottles. Feed your baby the milk bottles in a particular session then alternate that with breastfeeding in the next session.

2.   Reduce the number of feedings

Let’s say you were breastfeeding your baby 3 times in a day, reduce that to 2. You can also decide to shorten your feedings. For example, if your baby was taking around 4 minutes per session, reduce that to 3 then to 2 minutes and so on. You get the gist.

Your baby will realize that he’s not getting satisfied and will crave for something else. I am assuming your baby is beyond 6 months, so, to satisfy their craving you can provide expressed milk or baby formula.

If your baby is beyond one year, it’s even better because you can introduce them to solid food or provide them with whole milk.

3.  Distract your baby when they want to feed

Before you decide to wean your baby, start introducing a game to them or snacks. During this period, you should be able to identify their favorite snack or game.

To wean your baby, provide their favorite snack or initiate a game every time they want to nurse. Provide these distractions every time they want to feed and your baby will get used to that.

Some moms will wonder if the breast in milk will negatively affect their breast. However, if the process is slow and steady, the milk production will reduce as the feedings reduce so you won’t be at risk of mastitis or plugged ducts.

At first, express some milk if you feel full, but allow the breast to retain some milk. This way, you are telling the brain to reduce milk production. You can use ice packs to counter any discomfort or swelling that may arise.

Weaning your baby is never easy, you have to gradually prepare your baby to stay without the breast milk. It is therefore important to wean your baby when they are in good health. Doing this while your baby is sick will derail their growth.

While the decision to wean is determined by both of you, make sure your baby is beyond 6 months, then from there you can decide what time is right if your baby is healthy and does not initiate the process.