MotherBreastFeeding.com

As a rule, mothers stop breastfeeding because of two reasons – either it is right time or mothers are reluctant to breastfeed any longer. A baby can be fed mother’s milk for a long time, but not forever. As for getting tired of breastfeeding – I can say nothing about it, as personally I am against such treatment of a baby. I prefer to talk here about how to know if it is right time for stopping breastfeeding or not.

Is mom ready? To detect if mother’s body is ready to stop lactating is quite easy. Watch closely for changes in your breasts when you stop breastfeeding for a while (12-24 h). Are you producing much milk? If there is no uncomfortable feeling, and there is no need to pump – it is ok then.

Is baby ready? It is only you who can understand if the child is ready or not to stop breastfeeding, as there is the bond between a mother and a child. Most women feel when their child needs to be weaned off. Still, there are specific signs apart mere feelings. If your baby needs nursing no more than 3 times a day, when it does not suckle a bottle, thumb or something else, you are welcome to wean it off the breast. Otherwise, try gradual decrease in time at the breast, nurse no more than 1-3 times and only then stop breastfeeding.

Should I wait or not? Both you and your child are ready for weaning, can you stop breastfeeding now? Consider several hints on stopping breastfeeding – they will help ease the pain of weaning for both you and child. I’ve provided some of them in my previous posts, however, repeating them seems reasonable.

• Do not wean the child off before going on vacations, starting a new job, moving into a new house or inviting a nurse. Lactation consultants advise to wean 2 months before or after the events of the kind.
• Do not wean after diseases. Have you, your husband or you baby had flu or any other disease recently? Wait at least 30 days after full recovery and stop breastfeeding after then only.
• Do not wean the child off in summer. The eating habits change, the number of fruits and vegetables increases which may lead to fermentation and common disorders. During summer period there is a high risk of stomach diseases.
• Wean your child during a relatively stress-free time. The child doesn’t sleep well, being naughty all the time? Most likely, there are specific reasons for that which should be defined and removed. Stop breastfeeding after the child is ok.

Rules for Stopping Breastfeeding

1. Do not leave the child alone. The baby got used to nursing and mother’s care. No need to leave the baby ruining its happy world. Many mothers consider stopping breastfeeding a kind of freedom return, they start working at once. I beg you – stay with your child as long as you can.
2. Take care of your child. Read books, speak to your baby, kiss it, sing songs, etc. –thus you create a special atmosphere which benefits your child’s healthy development.
3. Do not let the child sleep in a separate bed. Hold on for 2-3 months. The child is sure to get used to a new life without your breast. When this happens – it can sleep alone.
4. Nurse at night. Try to wean during the day and breastfeed at night, if your child needs it. Watch your child – maybe he/she is not ready yet to stop being fed your milk. Keep breastfeeding for 1-2 weeks – to find the most appropriate time to wean.
5. Mind specific signs. Thumbs, lips suckling, etc. – this is the first sign to postpone stopping breastfeeding. If you do not treat such signs seriously, you baby may develop psychological disorders.

Overall, it is up to you and your child when to stop breastfeeding. It is not for anyone else to dictate. I hope that the hints above will help you in taking this serious decision.