How and When to Stop Breastfeeding
79How Much Is Enough?
The American Academy of Pediatrics wants you to breastfed for at least a year. However, before we send mothers everywhere packing for a guilt trip, remember that the thick, nutrient rich substance known as colostrum is present in the very first milk produced by a new mother. First milk contains highly concentrated antibodies and helps to prevent jaundice and also makes your new baby produce that first adorable poopy. But remember, the good stuff is there at the very beginning.
If you breastfeed for even one day - congrats to you. Pat yourself on the back and go from there. After a week or two, colostrum gives way to regular breast milk. Continuing to breastfeed is one of the healthiest and intimate things you can do for your baby, but at some point, you've got to stop. There are no booby-breaks in Kindergarten.
When Should I Stop?
There are only two people who can tell you it's time to stop - your baby and you. If it's your baby's idea to wean, he'll let you know. He may be restless at the breast, sucking for a while then turning away. He might play with the breast without latching on. If he shows interest in others while they are eating or drinking from a cup, he may be ready.
Even if your baby is still perfectly happy at the breast, you've may have had enough and that's okay. Breastfeeding gets old. Working moms suffer through pumps and uncooperative childcare providers. Moms at home may have other children to care for. Sometimes you just get tired, milk production drops, and baby needs a supplement. The best reason I know to stop? Nipple as teething ring.
Breastfeeding can be a grind. Whatever length of time you have offered the breast has benefited your baby and when it's time to move on, do so confidently.
Get This Kid Off Me!
A gradual decrease in time at the breast is best. Once you begin to supplement with a bottle, you'll be surprised how quickly the little traitor switches loyalty. Your baby loved breast milk, but the easier flow of a bottle is just as nice. If she rejects the bottle at first, try different nipples. You also may want to express some breast milk and mix it with formula, gradually changing the ratio until she gets used to the new taste.
Most children will self wean by age two or three, and much younger once they start eating other foods. If you're having trouble convincing an older child to give up the breast, appeal to her pride. Big girls drink from a cup. When she reaches for your nipple be firm and cheerful. All gone!
Still Leaking?
Weaning your child, whether your idea or his, is one thing. Stopping lactation may be another. Downsize the milk factory slowly to prevent engorgement. If milk is still plentiful, wear a snug bra and avoid stimulating the breast. However diligent you are, your baby's cry can send you streaming. Try letting milk out a little at a time to relieve the pressure. Or get into a warm shower and let nature take over. If it still hurts, apply cold packs and take some ibuprofen. Stay away from drugs that dry up the supply unless you absolutely must take them. Pretty soon your breasts will get the message that their productive days are over - at least for now.
Deciding when to stop breastfeeding is so personal. Talk to other mothers, get the facts, get support for your decision. Once you've made your choice, feel good about it. And if you still can't decide, consider this - if your kid can hold a cookie in one hand, and grab your breast in the other, it may be time!
Read More
Here's a great article about one woman's freedom from breasfeeding:
PrintShare it! — Rate it: up down flag this hub
Yes, mixing in breastmilk works for a lot of women. I did the breast pump thing when I worked at a big accounting firm. One day in the elevator, one of our cute young grads complimented my "cool new laptop case". You should've seen his poor young face when I told him what it was! At least my employer provided a pumping room. It was still very hard. Congratulations, Miranda, and everyone else making a smooth transition.
Great advice, I breastfeed and was wondering when and how I was going to get my boobs back!
I breastfed my first two kids but they also drank a little formula from a bottle. My third baby is exclusivly breastmilk and we are doing the breastfeeding thing so good. I hate to take her off even if I'm ready, she so enjoys it. I love to see her cute little cheeks suckeling away but I would aslso like to see my husbands cute little face suckeling. I think my third is my last so we'll go with it until she says so or until she goes to school (not).
I have never gotten my daughter to latch, and since day one I've pumped. In the beginning it was OK, but now that I've been at work and stress keeps mounting I know it would make my life easier, but I feel guilty. I think nine months has been long enough.
I just had my third son 6 weeks ago and after a month of nursing, I have been experiencing some warning signs/symptoms telling me I was heading for the painful mastitis infection I experienced with my second son. I felt a tremendous amount of guilt b/c I was able to nurse my first son for 10 months and my second son for 6 months before the infection kicked in. After talking to many other mothers in my support group and discussing options with my nurse I decided to try a method an elderly grandmother gave me. You just get some raw cabbage leaves, place them in the refrigerator or freezer (depending on your painful engorgement) and wrap your breast in the leaves, wear the tightest bra you can and of course keep your breast pads handy for the leakage and change out the cabbage leaves after they wilt. My milk dried up in 4 days!
I just had my third son 6 weeks ago and after a month of nursing, I have been experiencing some warning signs/symptoms telling me I was heading for the painful mastitis infection I experienced with my second son. I felt a tremendous amount of guilt b/c I was able to nurse my first son for 10 months and my second son for 6 months before the infection kicked in. After talking to many other mothers in my support group and discussing options with my nurse I decided to try a method an elderly grandmother gave me. You just get some raw cabbage leaves, place them in the refrigerator or freezer (depending on your painful engorgement) and wrap your breast in the leaves, wear the tightest bra you can and of course keep your breast pads handy for the leakage and change out the cabbage leaves after they wilt. My milk dried up in 4 days!
I'm beginning to stress. My baby is almost 12 weeks old and I have breastfed exclusively except for the odd bottle if I've been under the weather and my mum's had him for a few hors. He's thrived but now he's not bothered about either. He stops when he wants not when the guidelines say. What is wrong? I'm worried he will not feed at all or he'll lose weight.
It's my experience that babies eat when they are hungry. If he's still wetting and soiling diapers, you are probably fine. If he goes too long or loses weight, see your doctor immediately. But don't worry yourself on what he may do. If he has thrived before he may just be going through a phase. Ask the doctor, but don't get upset about it.
I have nursed all 8 of mine..some weaned at 8 months some at 3 years...You are exactly right it is an individual decision. One thing to make sure of htough is that baby still gets lots of cuddle time!
Thank you so much, I was really worried about when to stop and how to get him to stop, this has helped me alot to understand, because my son refuses to take a bottle or pacifier but he does drink from a sippy cup. He is 14 months and this is the first time I breastfed now I feel more comfortable that it takes time. Thank you
my daughter is a year and a half and she has never taken a bottle and the only way she goes to sleep at night is with my breast and that is all she wants even during the day and i am a single mother so i have no father figure to help at night... everyone keeps telling me that she should not be breastfeeding anymore but i dont think she is ready to be weaned and i dont even know how to start with it....
Hi, I exclusively breastfed my daugther until she was one year old. Suddenly the day of her first birthday she decided to stop breasfeeding and started drinking from a cup!!
My son was also a breastfed baby and never took any formula milk until he was at least 9 months.
I must say that both babies never had any tummy or sleeping troubles!! And both of them had a very advance development.
Keep it up moms, breastfeeding is the best present you can ever give to your baby.
My wife plan to give for an year but my son haven't drink. he takes only four months. it is too short but no other options.
Hi everyone, I need some advice about weaning my baby from the breast. She is 10 months old and breast feeds regularly throughout the day and night. If I decide to stop now ( as she bites me !) should I give her cows milk or formula milk and is it wise to give it to her in a bottle or a cup?
Hi....My daughter now is 1 year and 6 months and I'm still breastfeeding her. I tried giving her formula milk but she always throw it away. My family notices that she's not that fat or big like her older sister but she is an active and happy child. I'm starting to wonder is it because of breastfeeding or is my breastmilk not enough for her. I'm now thinking if I should start to wean her or what? Honestly, I enjoy breastfeeding her because it is our bonding moment. But I am bothered on what my family notices.
If anyone had engorgement as bad as I did while trying to stop my production, you must try the LaMa Bra. It's a super comfortably bra with pockets inside the cups that hold chilled gel packets against the breasts...simply heaven for me..during the day and even more at night. You can get more details at http://www.lamabra.com and surely better than the frozen peas I was using!!! happy days all
Interesting about the breast feeding. I never did when our kids were born doctors were bushing formula. They have all grown up and are healthy adults. My daughter was breast feeding her first baby and she was having such a hard time the baby was screaming all the time. I finally told her to try formula our granddaughter seem to be hungry. She was she latched right onto the bottle. She wishs she could have continued with breast feeding but it doesn't always work out. It is the best for the baby.
Enjoyed your hub.
When I was a first time Mom way back when, I felt a lot of pressure from others to nurse exclusively. I found with my second and third child that it really was best to follow yourself and your babies instincts. Thanks for the great hub!
I just want to say to all breastfeeding mothers, do not let society dictate when, where, and how long! It is truely a personal choice. I adopted my son 6 years ago, and I prepared myself to breastfeed him before he was born. He was 15 minutes old when the nurse gave him to me to feed, and I was incredibly blessed to be able to breastfeed successfully. I never had to give him any extra formula, and he thrived! A real wonder to me (and many others). I decided then that I will ween him naturally, and let nature run its course. It took almost 5 years!! But I am thankful for every special moment!
Nice hub. I keep saying that I should wean my daughter (16 months old) but it's so easy now (we got off to a really rough start, and at one point I didn't think I'd make it to my original goal of breastfeeding exclusively for at least six weeks) and we both still enjoy it so much. I am looking forward to having my body back though!
Excellent information about breast feeding here. I nursed all five of mine, from six months to 24 months being the longest. So, I understand the conversation well.
Write On!
I worked full time from the time my daughter was 6 weeks old, but I pumped and she had no problem taking a bottle of breastmilk while I was away. The problem came when we took a vacation when she was 6 months old. I nursed her for the whole ten days that we were away, then when we came back she wouldn't take a bottle while I was at work anymore. Fortunately she was old enough to mix breastmilk in with cereal, so there were no worries about her not getting enough, we just started weening. It made me sad to know that was the beginning of the end of nursing..
it was horrible advice!!!
Very nice advice
I breastfed all three of my children. The first was for the longest---she was almost three before she gave up the night-time feeding...that was 9 years ago. The second weaned himself off at 8 months. The third nursed for 18 months. With all, I supplemented with occasional bottles. I was easier on myself after the first. I worked full-time with the first and part-time with the second and pumped like a mad-woman while I was at work. It was very stressful, but I'm glad that I didn't give up. There is nothing like breast-feeding for enhancing the bond between a baby and a nursing mother, if possible.
I still breastfeed my 2 and a half year-old. She's still very much into it, and I'm happy to do it for as long as she wants (well, within reason - and I'm not sure yet how I define "within reason"!) If she had her way she would still feed on demand and it would be for most of the day, but I've had to reduce it to twice a day as I wasn't getting anything done.
It's true what you say about appealing to their pride. She's old enough to understand that she doesn't actually need to feed all the time and has been quite good about it. And if she wants to feed at a time when we don't normally feed, she will normally settle for a cuddle, which is nice!
I really enjoyed your hub, thanks!
I really appreciate this hub, and the advice given. I am 5 months along and have really been stressed, wieghing the breast feeding vs. bottle feeding options. I know that breastfeeding is best, but I will be returning to the office after 7 weeks leave and really, it sounds like pumping isn't going to be at ALL practical. I'd also like to include my husband in feedings, and I know he wants to be included, so I'm thinking that we might pump for the first 6 weeks I'm home and do a combination breast/bottle breast milk feeding to see if that works. Then, I won't feel so awful about the exclusive bottle feeding when I go back to work. Honestly, I have friends who are still nursing their children at 4 years old and it sortof grosses me out--and (vanity speaking) their boobs and their bodies look awful. They have no time to themselves and they always feel stressed about EVERYTHING. One refers to herself as the "human milk machine". Not for me :)
This is great information.
My son can stay on the breast throughout the night. He wakes up about 3 times and each time he's start searching for the nipple. Sometime I tell my husband to try soothing him to sleep but he refuses saying "he'll cry".
Thank you so much - I was crying as I was reading your hub. I breastfed my son till he was 1 year and 1 month...it was he that told me "No Mummy" when I tried to breast feed him and I was in tears, but thankful now that I could at least feed him till that age. He started walking at 8 months of age & out of nappies by 18 months. My son is now nearly 10 years and is a very talented soccer and golf player, excelling at school and is a size 16, not overweight, just very tall and well built. My daughter is nearly 5 months old and have recently started her on formula. I was not producing enough milk to satisfy her. It took a while for her to take to the bottle though, I had to keep persisting. Then one day she took the bottle in its entirety and loves it, sleeps longer and plays happily without whinging. I was sad the day she took it and still do feel bad for not maybe trying hard enough and keep comparing her to her brother & thinking she may not end up as smart. After reading your hub though, & other peoples comments I feel a lot happier about our decision and am looking forward to watching her become her own person. She rolled at 4 months and holds her head extremely well...I even give her farex and baby food (loves sweet potato), she watches so intensely when we eat and swollows. I have no doubt that she will grow perfectly and will stop comparing breast babies to bottle babies and take every day as is comes - Thank you
You're Welcome!!!!
I'm so glad to hear this article is helping a few of you feel better about your choice of when to stop breastfeeding! There will be more to come soon.
Hi,
I am so reassured to find out that so many other moms out there are just like me. I am having trouble weaning my 1 year old daughter. (I breastfed my first one till she turned 2&1/2.) People keep telling me that I am foolish for continuing to breastfeed for so long 2nd time too, nursing after 1 year is'nt good for me, I am a sure candidate for osteoporosis and that it proves I am not a strong person mentally. God knows if all this is true but I simply freaked out. I tried to stop nursing, but eventually gave in when she cried sooo hard. I have decided to try it once again when she is 18 months old. But fpr now, I've decided against it. It saved me from agonizing so much over it. Thankyou so much for helping me decide.
I have been pumping since my son was born, he never latched on. My milk supply has decreased and he gets formula. I want to stop pumping for several reasons. I would like to start losing weight.Sometimes when I pump I only get a few onces so I feel like im wasting my time. I feel guilty for wanting to stop. I keep thinking he is going to be mad or think I gacve up on him
I exclusively breastfed my son for the first 3 weeks of his life then pumped/bottlefed for the 4th week. I then went to bottlefeeding for the next five weeks. My son cried instantly when I took him off the breast after a feeding. I am now convinced that I was not producing enough milk. Stopping breastfeeding was very sad for me and when my son was 8 weeks I decided to relactate. However at that time, my son refused to take the breast. I have been on domperidone and fenugreek and have exclusively pumped breastmilk for him. I now wish to stop as he is approaching 6 months....however, I still feel guilty...WHY? I think people place to much emphasis on breastfeeding. While I think it is a natural choice, I dont think it is the only choice. Mothers should not feel guilty about bottlefeeding their babies. It has taken me many months and many tears to come to terms with the fact that I didnt want to exclusively pump breastmilk for a year.
I think any mother who attempts breastfeeding has done so before she loves her child and should NEVER feel guilty about her decision to stop when she is ready.
I am tring to stop breastfeeding to my 20 months old baby girl. It is very hard on her and me. I feel really bad for putting her in this position. I wish I never brestfeed her. My Milk supply is very liittle and I mean not even 1OZ. I dont think she is getting enough. She is not taking bottle and never have. I tried to ween her but it is not working. she cry and stop eating too. I am very confused and don't konw what to do.
Need little advise
Thanks
I am trying to stop breastfreeding my 11 month old son. I am having troble because all he know is my breast. I dont know if i should try to go cold turkey on him or just try to limit the breastfred to once a day until my milk slow down? The problem is that one of my breast is always much fuller than the other and the engorement is hurting so bad. I dont know what to do? I want to know how long does it take for your breast to stop getting milk and go back to regular again? I need a little help. Can somebody help me?
Fatty boy : I would say that you should limit you feeding. Going cold turkey really does not work and it puts lot of strees on you and your child. I have tried that and did not work, I started breast feeding angain and now feeding her only at night. My daughter does not take bottle at all, she doesn't even like that teast of regular milk. I can tell you only what I know and I think limiting is working for me so far. Trying to stop breastfeeding is very hard for the mother and Child. So take it easy and keep trying.
I must say my 1 year old daughter is not trying to wean anytime soon. I can get her to drink juice from a bottle but milk, no way! It has been hard emotionally to see her breakdown so hard when I refuse her the breast and I just give in everytime. I wish there was some magic button you cuold push to make them just stop..lol. I have enjoyed this experience but I am ready to bring it to an end.
Its been a while since I'm trying to stop my baby from breastfeeding. I thought she might be too old for that and I'm kinda pressured by the comments of friends and relatives. I'm so desperate that I even tried putting garlic and calamanci extract on my nipple, but to my dismay my daughter suck on my nipples as if it doesn't have a bad taste. She is now 2yrs & 3 months old, a this point she come to me twice a day to breastfeed, that is at nap time and at night time. After reading your article, I was relieved knowing that it is just ok as long as we both wanted to do it. Thanks!!!
My boy is almost 9 months old and I plan to stop breastfeeding soon. These 9 months I have to eat ALOT just to produce milk for him and im so out of shape. I feel very unhealthy too with my big tummy.
That cookie and a boob thing... yep, that is why I am weening my 18 month old. He doesn't care for regular milk, but he will get use to it, I'm sure -- or he can drink water!
my son is turning 1 and i really want to stop breastfeeding.he drinks water out of a sippy cup and even sucks out of a a straw. i started to put milk in the cup and he wouldnt take it.. he hated it. he eats food like chicken nuggets, fruit, rice, and other things so i know he gets full.. its just heartbreaking to hear him screaming and crying in his crib knowing that he wants me. but i am not giving up.. this is my third time trying. i just want to know if there are any easy suggestions that my help
I wish I could make some suggestions but I can't... I am also having the same problems I hav a 16month old, and she refuses to give up breast feeding. Sometimes I don't mind and other times I just can't function I feel like she is not even getting milk and is just sucking for comfort, I have to eat and especially drink more to produce more milk its just frustrating luckily I have a husband that loves us and cares for us so sometimes when it gets really bad and I can't do it he will take her and walk with her to comfort her. I will say this ending breastfeeding is a two person battle it helps if you have another half
So happy to hear that it is ok to breastfeed until 2 yrs and beyond.
Just an observation though: When a child is old enough to physically pull out the mother's shirt, pull the breast out of the bra and .....we all know the rest, I think it's time to start weaning the child....specially when the toddler does not really drink the milk because he/she is on full solids for all meals + 3.25% milk feeds. And when you child is old enough to give each boob a unique name, it is really time to stop. My friend's child is starting to embarass her now.
can someone please help..... I stopped breastfeeding 3days ago but i just cant watch my baby cry endlessly and she wont take milk. Is my breastmilk still good for consumption? it still flows but im scared its soured.
can someone please help..... I stopped breastfeeding 3days ago but i just cant watch my baby cry endlessly and she wont take milk. Is my breastmilk still good for consumption? it still flows but im scared its sour.
lillian: YES! Your milk is very much still good for consumption! If you are still producing and baby wants to nurse then latch her on. You are just fine. :-) I hope all is well.
I think I am on empty and my son is only 5 months. He really seems to cry like he is not getting enough. I have tried some formula, but he seems to break out with everything. He started on solids, but I was hoping to nurse at least until 6 months. What am I doing wrong?
Hi, struggling mom. I had the same problem with my baby who is now 22 months old (and still nursing). Before nursing, try giving your baby 1-2 ounces of formula (just enough to satisfy his hunger) and then switch him right back to breastfeeding. Try this for 2 days. Carrot juice increased my milk supply. Try it. Good Luck!
BTW- There are many benefits of nursing so don't give up. My daughter hasn't had any ear infection and only had 1 viral illness. At 20 months she could count 1-10. At 21 she can identify her alphabets. At 22 she can pronounce the numbers and letters clearly.
Thank you helpful mom! I have tried your suggestions and even found that carrot juice is not as bad as I thought it would be. Now since he is starting solids how much should I be breastfeeding? Also, how much carrot juice a day did you drink? What about orange carrot juice (grocery store no longer has just carrot)? I honestly did not realize how much I would enjoy feeding my son. I am hoping to continue longer than I had original intended to do so. Thanks again for the advice.
My daughter is 23 months old now, as she is approaching 2 yrs of age, she is more inclined to breast feeding, I am suffering almost the whole night being a working mother. She easily drinks from the cup as well, but doesnt seem to leave the breast. will someone help me out what to do?
ishi, i am having the same problem with my 22 month old son. he sleeps in bed with me. i havent slept through the night since i was about six months pregnant because he wants to nurse at night for comfort to fall back to sleep three or four times per night still! i am tired from lack of sleep. i want to quit, but he does not. i try to offer something to drink in a cup and this occasionally works. i dont know if i should just stop him cold turkey since he just wont accept being weaned slowly.
I have 5 children Emma-8, Julia-6, Olivia-5, Hannah-4, Paige-3. I stop breastfeeding Emma and Julia at 11 months,Olivia at 13 months,Hannah at 10 months.Paige is still being breastfed to this day.Paige is 3 and 4 months. I almost got her to stop but she starred again. I tried all the options up above plus more. She loves it i breastfeed her at 8:00, 12:00, also untill she goes to bed
im a mom to be and all this advice has helped me come to terms with breastfeeding. it was scary to think about at first, kind of awkward to talk about but im feeling more comftorable with the idea. i no that i dont want to breastfeed for over 6 months, the advice posted has helped alot with learning how to switch from breast milk to formula. my mother inlaw said that it wasnt possible to switch b/c it would make the baby sick. but i am convinced that she was wrong. thankyou for the tips and helpfull advice.
My child is 9 years old and she still instists on breastfeeding!
I have three children Koresa 4, Alivia 3, and Nakodan who is turnind 1 on Dec.24th. I did not breastfeed my two girls but i did breastfeed my son Nakodan. My son was a month old when he was diagnosed with hydrocepalus caused by aqueduct stenosis. We spent two weeks in the Children's Hospital in Minneapolis after he had brain surgery. Since then he had 3 other brain surgerys Threw all of the surgerys I still breastfeed my son. It was very hard and stressful and I stayed strong because I knew it was the best thing for Nakodan at the time. Nakodan loved to breastfeed. Just only 3 weeks before hes birthday he made the decition to stop nursing. I fell that I should have breastfeed him longer because of what he went threw. I am hurting more then he is right now.
|
*NEW* MEDELA SWING BREASTPUMP ** BPA FREE **
Current Bid: $109.95
|
|
NIB CHERUB 2 IN 1 AUTO ELECTRIC & BATTERY BREAST PUMP
Current Bid: $80.71
|
|
The Nursing Mother's Companion: Revised Edition
Price: $9.43
List Price: $14.95 |
|
Breastfeeding Made Simple: Seven Natural Laws for Nursing Mothers
Price: $10.43
List Price: $16.95 |
Miranda Marquit says:
3 years ago
One way we were able to help my son when I had to go back to work was to start out by mixing formula into the breastmilk. I pumped (even at work on my lunch break), but we all knew that I would dry up from the stress and the schedule. So, gradually, from the beginning we did morning feedings and evening feedings on the breast, and everything else on the bottle. My son became comfortable with both, and gradually upping the amount of formula mixed in with the breastmilk eased him into the taste. By the time I went dry when he was four and half months old, my son had no problem making the switch to bottles of formula.