Breastfeeding is one of the joys of motherhood. Some women breastfeed their children for six months, others for a year or even longer. The World Health Organization recommends that infants exclusively breastfeed for the first six months of life and get introduced to solids afterwards. However, the larger question most mothers ask themselves is when to end the cycle. So, if you’re a mother and wondering about it, we enumerate several ways how to stop breastfeeding.
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How to Stop Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding doesn’t stop at once. It’s done for several weeks as you monitor your milk to decrease in supply gradually. This gives you time to introduce your baby to other foods. Here’s how you can do it naturally.
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Stop Breastfeeding
Replace breastfeeding with the bottle every few days. Once the baby gets used to it, use the bottle more frequently and phase out breastfeeding.
Additionally, continue to practise what you did when your baby was breastfeeding. For example, if you talk to the baby when feeding it, continue talking to it when it is in the bottle.
Also, when introducing them to food, establish a breakfast routine and keep the baby close as they eat. You can hold them just as you did when they were breastfeeding, so they can still enjoy the warmth they got when breastfeeding.
This process also affects you due to changes in hormones. Women experience “weaning blues” leading to mood changes. Some women feel depressed and sad. If this happens, talk to your medical provider for more guidance. Additionally, engage in activities that uplift your mood.
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How to Stop Breastfeeding Without Pain
One of the downsides for mothers who stop breastfeeding is the pain that comes with it. However, you don’t have to experience it. When weaning, express the excess milk into a bottle to avoid breast discomfort. There isn’t a scale of how much milk you should express, as it depends on your comfort level.
The one thing you mustn’t do is express all the milk because the body will continue to make the same amount. The idea is to decrease the amount gradually so that some of it can be expressed so that the body generates less and less until the day it stops.
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Having swollen or engorged breasts is a normal part of weaning a baby. To deal with the pain, apply a compressor or use painkillers.
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Is There a Problem if I Stop Breastfeeding Abruptly?
When you stop breastfeeding abruptly, your milk ducts might get clogged, leading to breast soreness. You can ease this by applying a warm cloth over the breast or visiting a healthcare provider.
Another medical condition that occurs as a result of an abrupt stop in breastfeeding is mastitis, a breast inflammation that can cause infection. The lack of expressing milk causes mastitis. If you have a lump on the breast, soreness, burning breast pain, flu-like symptoms and nipple discharge, you might be suffering from mastitis.
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Helping Your Baby Through the Weaning Process
Your baby will find it difficult when you stop breastfeeding. You will also find it difficult. How can you help them and yourself?
- Cuddle your child.
- Give your child a pacifier.
- Give your child solid and liquid foods.
- Change your bedtime routines if it includes breastfeeding.
Takeaway
We hope this article gives you ideas on how to stop breastfeeding. It’s a gradual process that will challenge you and your baby. Be patient and follow these steps on your weaning journey. If you need it, seek medical advice from a professional.
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