This post is all about How to gently stop breastfeeding
Finally, it’s time to wean your child!
This beautiful journey has to end because your little one will grow up one day.
Breast milk is the ultimate source of nutrition for your child and, you must be proud of yourself for providing him with that. The time duration for breastfeeding doesn’t matter. What matters is your effort to benefit your child.
Are you planning to wean your child and looking for helpful ways to do so?
Look no further!
In this article, we will be sharing a few helpful tips to make your journey easy.
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Few tips to help you wean
Know when to stop breastfeeding
According to the Pediatricians, you must breastfeed your child for the first six months. You can introduce solid food around 6 months of age and, you can wean your child after that whenever you like.
Children older than one usually take breastfeeding as supplementary nutrition or a source of comfort.
Replace or distract
Mothers know their child’s feeding schedules. Whenever you feel like your child needs to breastfeed, distract him with a snack or an engaging activity. You can take him out for playing or distract him with a toy.
You can also replace your breast with a glass of milk or juice. Distraction and replacement are delay tactics that help you decrease the number of times your little one would ask for your breast.
Don’t forget to offer your child plenty of juices, nutritious food to keep him healthy.
Postpone breastfeeding
Postponing breastfeeding can help your child find other alternatives. It is good to make breastfeeding rules with your baby, like not asking for feeds outside or counting till 10 to stop a feeding session.
The delaying tactic helps children get busy in other activities and, their need for breastfeeding also subsides.
Children do not always want to be fed because they are hungry. They need it whenever they are tired, sleepy, and overwhelmed. Distractions can help overcome unnecessary feeding sessions.
Go slowly
Some people like to go cold turkey with breastfeeding. It can cause massive episodes of crying and tantrums from the child and breast engorgement. You need to go slowly with the weaning process.
Try to wean with one breastfeeding session at a time. Once you think your child doesn’t need the feed anymore, decrease the number of feeding sessions.
It will help your breast to adjust to the new changes. You won’t feel breast engorgement as your body will adapt breast milk supply according to the demand.
Start weaning with daytime feeding:
Children enjoy cuddling and snuggling with their mothers during breastfeeding. As the child grows up, nursing becomes more about comfort and security. Nighttime feeding is the most comforting thing for the child.
It is good to drop them off at last. Start with the dropping of daytime feedings and, once you think your child has left breastfeeding during the daytime, switch to nighttime feeds.
Plan fun activities:
It is good to plan for fun and creative activities to distract your child while weaning.
Keep your child busy during the daytime with fun and engaging activities so that he cannot think of breastfeeding.
Observe your child’s interests and have different activities like painting, outdoor playtime, and reading books.
Replace feedings with cuddles
You need to understand that your child will have a hard time during the weaning process and, he might tend to get clingier.
Make time for more cuddles and physical connection because that is the time when your child needs it the most.
Breastfeeding is more about the emotional and physical connection. So, replace the feeding sessions with cuddles and let your child feel your physical touch whenever he feels overwhelmed or upset.
Learn to say no
I know the motherly instincts in us do not allow us to say no
But establishing rules and telling your child no is an essential thing to do.
You can respect your child’s feelings and distract him from other activities. If he persists in having a feed, learn to say no.
Resistance to weaning
Children do not understand why they can’t have your breast anymore. Weaning is a hard thing for your child and, he will resist it. You have to be patient and consistent.
Your little one might stop eating solids for a few days but, you need to be consistent and offer them food at mealtimes. Once your child is hungry and knows there is no option left, he will start eating again.
Understand your emotions
Breastfeeding is not only close to your child but you as well. The feeling of happiness, independence, sadness, and nostalgia will flush in. The only thing you can do is be kind to yourself and understand your emotions.
It is best to talk to fellow moms and discuss your feeling. Validate your emotions and take your partner on board. Let him support you emotionally in this and help you as much as he can.
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Out of sight, out of mind technique
Out of sight, the out-of-mind technique is going out of your child’s sight once the feeding time arrives. If the child doesn’t see you anymore, chances are he might get engaged in other activities and forget about feeding.
You can leave your child with a family member, babysitter, or spouse.
Relieve the discomfort
Weaning your child will cause discomfort. It can cause blocked milk ducts and breast engorgement.
You can relieve the pain by pumping your breast. You can also place cabbage leaves to prevent soreness and engorgement.
Your milk will dry slowly and naturally. So, it is good to take your time and wean slowly.
Final words
Breastfeeding is a beautiful journey. Like everything, it also has to end one day or the other.
You can slowly start the process and go with the flow. Include cuddles and a lot of physical touch with your child during the day to replace the need for breastfeeding.
I hope these helpful tips will make it easier for you to wean your child and help you adjust his nutrition in a better way.
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