How To Stop Breastfeeding

There comes a time when a mother decide to wean her child from breastfeeding. Some children stop breastfeeding naturally. But many children may not agree with this decision and refuse to let breastfeeding end. It becomes difficult to stop breastfeeding as the time passes, particularly, if they are above one year of age. This is due to the emotional attachment they feel when they are close to you. When you stop breastfeeding, they will feel vulnerable.

Important Aspects To Consider When You Stop Breastfeeding

• General health and immunity of the child
• How to manage your milk production
• Impact on the feelings of the child.

Not Very Desirable Ways To Stop Breastfeeding

Cold Turky

One thing you should not do is go cold turkey (stop abruptly in a single day). It will surely upset the child terribly, as the child feels very insecure and leads to tantrums. Besides it will result in the mother’s breast filled continuously with milk with no outlet and this can create great pressure, discomfort and even infection. One way to relieve pressure is to use breast pumps to empty the breasts.

Medication

It is better to avoid medication.

Separation

Mother goes away on a vacation or a business tour. On her return, it is assumed that the child will have forgotten breastfeeding. But most children will demand milk when they see their mother. Moreover, separation creates a deep impact, as the child perceive it as desertion. The child will be devastated by the mother’s absence and mourn her loss. This can create a terrible void for the child and cause psychological, as well as emotional harm that might last lifelong.

Sabotage The Taste Of Milk

Mothers can apply foul tasting liquid, herbs or spices on the nipple. But this is distressful to both the child and the mother. Basically, in addition to offering nutrition, breastfeeding is about giving comfort and building trust between you and the child. Instead of the tasty breast milk, if the child gets some bitter and horrid substitute, the child will feel betrayed. It can also cause damage to the child’s stomach.

Change in Taste Of Milk Due To Pregnancy

As a result of mother being pregnant again, the taste of the breast milk can become less tasty and this discourages the child. But is not a sure method, as there are lots of children, who still continue to nurse.

Better Method To Stop Breastfeeding

It is better to gradually stop breastfeeding, by initially dropping one feed in a single instance. Give some other supplements to make up for the loss of this feed. The child might cry, which you have to learn to ignore. Although hard, you have to do it, as it will teach the child that it is not possible to get whatever the child wants in life. Slowly increase the number of dropped feedings until it is reduced to one feed. Decrease the duration of these feeding sessions until you conclude the breastfeeding process. This gradual reduction helps to decrease the quantity of milk made, until the supply will dwindle out.