How To Stop Breastfeeding - Options For Weaning Your Baby Or Toddler

Before you wean ask yourself if you are really ready to wean your baby. Are you feeling breastfeeding fatigue? Are you ready for some space? Have you stopped enjoying breastfeeding? 

Or do you feel pressured to wean your baby by external factors such as culture, your mother-in-law or going back to work?

Baby Led Weaning

You don't have to wean your baby until and unless you want to, and some mothers choose to let their baby lead the way. All baby's stop breastfeeding eventually. World Health Organisation recommends breastfeeding for two years or more, so if breastfeeding is still enjoyable for you there is no reason to stop.

Partial Weaning

If you are going back to work or feeling burnt out consider partial weaning, or combination feeding. Once established, many mothers can maintain their milk supply on just two or three breastfeeds a day, which you can give your baby overnight if you are apart during the day. Partial breastfeeding has nearly all of the advantages of regular breastfeeding including allergy prevention, increased immunity and increased nutrition. Some mothers find partial breastfeeding gives them a little space, so they can continue breastfeeding for much longer. For more information visit Kellymom.

Mother Led Weaning

If you really are ready to quit breastfeeding then you have two main choices, with all sorts of variations between. Decide what will work best for you and your baby. Make sure you take it slow so your milk supply can adjust, or you may end up with engorged breasts or blocked milk ducts.

Never Offer, Never Refuse Is the most gentle way of weaning a baby and can take a very long time. As the name suggests it involves giving your baby a feed whenever they ask, but not offering if they don't ask. This can be a slower process.

Dropping One Feed At A Time is a more active way of approaching weaning and will be a little quicker. Choose the time of day when your baby is least interested in breastfeeding and drop that feed first. Once your breasts and your baby have adjusted, which could take a week or two, then you can drop another feed. Try and distract your baby at the time when the feed is being dropped by getting out of the house, having friends to play with or substitute the feed with a favourite snack or drink. You will be much more successful if you can keep one step ahead of your baby and have a distraction ready before they have a chance to think about breastmilk!

Grief And Depression After Weaning

Some mothers feel very sad or have mood swings after weaning, even if they weaned by choice. Click here for more information.