When you’re a nursing mama, there will inevitably be a time when your breastfeeding journey comes to an end. And while every breastfeeding person’s decision about when to wean will be different—and let’s face it, sometimes the baby decides for you—there are a few things to know as you transition your baby away from the breast or stop pumping.
When Should I Wean My Baby?
There’s no age at which you should wean. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusively breastfeeding (or giving your baby expressed breastmilk) when possible for the first six months after birth and continued breastfeeding for one year or longer, but it’s a very personal experience that involves both you and your baby.
Changes in breastfeeding start naturally around six months when solid foods begin to be introduced to baby’s diet. However, there are a lot of reasons aside from hunger that your little one might want to breastfeed. Some want to nurse before they fall asleep, others breastfeed for comfort and connection. And while some babies might naturally lose interest in nursing, others might want to breastfeed until well into their toddler years.
The other factors at play are your own feelings about breastfeeding or pumping. It can be a lot. Some mamas love it, some not so much. No matter what, it can feel overwhelming at times and it’s common for moms to feel “touched out,” or tired of sharing their body with their child. As long as both you and your child enjoy breastfeeding, there’s no reason that you need to stop. But, if one (or both) of you wants to stop, go for it mama.
What’s the Best Way to Wean from Breastfeeding?
Slowly shortening and reducing breastfeeding sessions over the course of a few weeks or months is the best way to go when possible. The main reason? Gradually reducing breastfeeding sessions is a gentle way for your infant to adjust and develop new routines and expectations. Another benefit to gradually eliminating or shortening nursing sessions is avoiding engorgement and all of the complications associated with it like clogged ducts and mastitis. As you drop breastfeeding and pumping sessions, your body will make less and less until you no longer produce breastmilk.
Other weaning strategies for pumping mamas include gradually reducing the amount of time spent pumping during each of their sessions. Shorten each pump time by a few minutes, give your body a few days to adjust, then continue to drop time from your sessions until there is no longer milk to pump. You can also start to spread out the amount of time in between your pumping sessions, then drop sessions from your schedule as your body adjusts.
Gradual weaning can also help your little one get used to the taste of infant formula or cow’s milk, and help them adjust to drinking from a bottle or cup rather than at the breast. Weaning cold turkey doesn’t give them a chance to practice and adjust to all of these new experiences and ways to get nourishment.
If your baby is confused or frustrated by the changes in your typical nursing schedule, here are a few things to try to help distract them:
- Start by eliminating a breastfeeding session that isn’t as important to your baby, such as a daytime session that you can replace with a snack or a fun activity.
- Shake up your routine in order to distract them. For instance, head out on a walk instead of staying at home during a typical nursing session. Taking a walk, playing with a new toy, or reading a book are other ways for your baby to interact and spend time close to you. Try to redirect their attention before your baby expresses the desire to nurse.
- Try not to sit with your baby in the chair you usually nurse them in when giving them a bottle. Break out a new toy to divert their attention and develop some new habits, such as reading a book or playing on the floor together. Though your breastfeeding relationship is ending, your baby continues to have a desire to be close and connected with you. This is an opportunity to create new ways to have special time together that include hugs, cuddles, and expressing love.
- Certain nursing times may be more important to your baby, such as at naptimes, before bed, or first thing in the morning. You might start out by shortening the length of these session and eliminating them last. You may find that you still want to nurse at these times even if you have weaned off other breastfeeding sessions. You can choose if you want to wean entirely or reduce the times you nurse.
- Ask other family members or support people for help, especially at bedtime or nighttime when you typically offer a feeding. Having someone else to attend to baby can help keep them distracted and less focused on wanting to breastfeed.
Is Weaning Uncomfortable?
It can be, depending on how often you’re breastfeeding or pumping. If you do find that your breasts become engorged and painful as you try to wean, don’t panic—it’s normal (but definitely uncomfortable). In order to take some of the pressure off, try hand expressing into a towel or during your shower, or pump just enough for some relief. Hot showers may cause you to feel more engorged, so it may help to keep your back to the water. Also, be careful not to pump for too long, as this signals to your body that it needs to create more milk.
You can also try using a cool compress, gel pack or ice pack to help relieve any discomfort or swelling. Another thing some weaning mamas swear by? Placing clean, refrigerated cabbage leaves on their breasts! Cabbage leaves are known to help relieve pain and swelling and even to help decrease milk supply. Simply place torn up or whole leaves in your bra as you go about your day, then swap them out when they become wilted.
What Should My Baby Drink After Weaning?
If you’ve decided it’s time to wean a baby younger than one year old, it’s important to ensure your child is drinking infant formula in place of the breast milk they were previously getting. Contact your pediatrician and they can advise you on how much formula your little one needs.
If you’re weaning a child older than 12 months, give your child two to three 8-ounce cups of whole cow’s milk or fortified unsweetened soy milk per day, along with water. While there are toddler formulas and milks on the market, there’s no reason to purchase these unless instructed by your child’s provider. If using a milk alternative, chat with your baby’s provider to understand if the vitamins and minerals provided are sufficient for baby’s nutritional needs.
Whether you’re ready to be done breastfeeding or not, weaning can be a tricky and emotional time for both you and your baby. Chat with your provider or a lactation consultant if you have any questions or concerns, and inform baby’s provider about the change in their main source of nutrition. We’re wishing you luck!