Eventually, all mothers and babies must end the breastfeeding phase. Ideally, the weaning process should be gradual so that both mother and baby have a chance to get used to the changes. However, sometimes the breastfeeding phase must end quickly due to lifestyle changes, medical conditions, or the mother's absence, and a smooth transition is not possible in these situations. Caregivers who experience this should not be discouraged. While suddenly weaning a baby is more difficult, there are always ways to get through it with minimal discomfort.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Helping Babies Switch From Breast Milk
Step 1. Decide what foods are right for your baby
Before weaning, you should make sure your baby is getting enough food without breast milk, and this type of food will vary depending on his age.
- Babies under 1 year of age should switch to formula to get most of their caloric needs. They need about 100 calories per 1 kg body weight each day, and because they can't digest cow's milk, they must get their nutrition from commercial formula.
- While babies over 6 months of age can start experimenting with solid foods like baby porridge, remember that "foods before age 1 are just for testing." Solid foods before the age of 1 year generally do not provide many calories and are not sufficient to meet the nutritional needs of infants.
- After 1 year of age, you can give whole cow's milk and solid foods, as long as he is used to eating a variety of solid foods. Babies between the ages of 1 and 2 need 1,000 calories per day divided between three small meals and two small snacks as well. Roughly half of those calories should come from fat (mainly from cow's milk, cheese, yogurt, butter, etc.) and the other half from protein (red meat, eggs, tofu), fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
Step 2. Prepare transition foods
Babies eat every few hours so they should be fed immediately to replace breast milk.
- If you need to stop breastfeeding immediately, provide a variety of food options to make the transition easier.
- If your baby is less than 1 year old and has never had formula, consider buying some formula (and baby food if he is older than 6 months). Ask your pediatrician for recommendations, but remember that you may need to try different types of formula until you find one that works. Each type has a slightly different taste, some are gentler on a baby's tummy, while others are not or just not that great. So your baby may be more tolerant of one particular formula than another.
- If your baby is one year old or older, buy whole cow's milk. If for any reason you think your baby is sensitive or allergic to cow's milk, you need a milk substitute that provides enough fat, protein, and calcium for your baby's developing needs. Talk to your pediatrician, and discuss whether you should try goat's milk or full-fat soy milk with added calcium, both of which are available at most grocery stores.
Step 3. Get support
The baby may not want to be weaned and may hesitate to accept the bottle or suction cup from his mother because he associates the mother with breast milk. So it's a good idea to enlist the help of another trusted adult with bottles or food during this transition period.
- Ask the baby's father or another adult he knows for a bottle or suction cup. Many babies refuse a bottle from their mother, but will accept it from someone else because they don't associate that person with breast milk.
- If your baby is used to eating at night, ask the baby's father or another adult to bottle feed them for a few nights.
- Having friends, parents, or grandparents at home can help during this period. Your baby may be frustrated by your presence, and there may be times when you need to leave the room or leave the house to give yourself a break.
Step 4. Make sure the baby is getting enough nutrition
Babies who are young or have not yet learned to drink from a bottle or suction cup are especially vulnerable to malnutrition during the transition period.
- Pay attention to the level on the side of the bottle or suction cup to make sure your baby is getting enough nutrition at each feeding.
- If your baby can't suck or doesn't know how to suck on a bottle or cup, you should try a medicine dropper or feed him straight from the cup. This last practice may be difficult if the baby is very young, but it can be done with patience.
Step 5. Use age-appropriate language to explain this transition
Very young babies won't understand the weaning process, but older babies and toddlers tend to understand words before they can talk and may be able to understand simple explanations.
- When your baby is looking for a breast, say "Mommy doesn't have milk. Let's get some milk," then immediately ask for a bottle or suction cup.
- Explain consistently. If you say you don't have milk, don't breastfeed and offer to suck. This will confuse the baby and prolong the weaning process.
- Toddlers can accept diversion when they ask for breast milk. "Mama doesn't have milk. But Papa has. Let's ask Papa for milk," is a diversion you can give to a toddler who can find his own Papa and ask for milk in a suction cup. Toddlers who usually breastfeed for comfort, not hunger, may need a different way of diversion. Try taking him outside or finding a toy he's never played with to distract him.
Step 6. Be patient
Weaning is usually a difficult time both physically and emotionally for babies and toddlers, and they may not behave normally for several days.
- Remember that breastfeeding provides more than just nutrition. This phase also allows the baby and mother to cuddle for some time each day. Make sure your baby continues to receive extra hugs and attention during this transition, which is important for emotional and social development, as well as a sense of security and belonging. This will make them feel safe and know that stopping breastfeeding doesn't mean a lack of love or security.
- Disturbances in sleep are normal, especially if the baby is accustomed to suckling before naps or at night. You have to be persistent, but patient.
- If your baby continues to whine and your patience is starting to wear off, take a break. Ask a trusted friend to watch your baby while you shower or go out for coffee. If you feel overwhelmed, put your baby in a safe place such as a crib and close the door. Take a few deep breaths and calm yourself down. You can go out for a while and take care of yourself.
Part 2 of 3: Drying Milk
Step 1. Be prepared for a lengthy process
Draining the milk supply suddenly takes a long time, about a week to get comfortable again and up to a year for the breasts to stop producing milk (although at that point milk production is minimal).
This process can be painful, the breasts are swollen and painful as in the beginning of breastfeeding. Taking ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help reduce discomfort
Step 2. Wear a bra that fits
A high-impact sports bra can help compress your breasts and slow milk production, but be careful if the bra is too tight.
- Bras that are too tight can cause painful blockage of the milk ducts. Wear a bra that is no tighter than what you normally wear to exercise.
- Also avoid underwire bras because they can cause blockage of the milk ducts.
Step 3. Take a shower with the shower running down your back
Avoid direct flow of water to the breast and choose warm water, not hot water.
The warmth of the water can make the milk drop and stimulate milk production
Step 4. Tuck the raw cabbage leaves into the bra
Cabbage is known to help dry up breast milk, although there isn't enough research to figure out why.
- Wash the cabbage leaves and tuck them into the bra, directly in contact with the skin. You can use leaves that have been refrigerated or at room temperature.
- Leave the cabbage leaves in the bra until slightly wilted, and replace with new leaves. You can continue this process as needed until the milk is dry.
- Or, you can reduce the pain with an ice pack.
Step 5. Express breast milk as needed
Expressing breast milk by pump or manually can stimulate increased milk production, but is sometimes the only way to relieve the pain of swelling.
Wait as long as possible and express a little milk just to relieve the pressure. Try to express the milk manually by pressing the breast slightly with your hand just above the areola
Step 6. Know that there is no evidence that drugs or supplements can help dry up breast milk
There is no evidence that drugs, supplements, or herbs can be used to drain breast milk faster. There may be anecdotal evidence that decongestants aid in the weaning process, but there is no scientific evidence to support it. Talk to a doctor if you want to try. The danger may not be there, but it is less likely to accelerate the drying of breast milk.
There are many women who use herbs such as sage, jasmine, and peppermint to help drain the milk supply. Make sure you discuss this option with your doctor, and again, keep in mind that there is no evidence that herbs have any effect
Part 3 of 3: Understanding the Process
Step 1. Know that your breasts will be swollen and full of milk
Your breasts are heavy and sore, and you will feel uncomfortable.
- This swelling is very painful. Your breasts will feel sore, tender, and very tight, and that lasts for two to three days. If your breasts are warm to the touch or if you see a red line, or if you have a fever over 38°C, call your doctor right away as you may have an infection.
- Maybe you will also experience blockage of the milk ducts that often occurs when you stop breastfeeding suddenly because your breasts are swollen. Blockage of the milk ducts may feel like something is binding in the breast and be painful to the touch. This blockage can be treated with a warm compress and a light massage of the swollen area. See a doctor if your condition does not improve within a day as it may be a sign of infection.
Step 2. Know that the milk will leak out for a few weeks
This is common during the weaning process, especially after the baby has missed several feedings and the breasts become swollen.
- Milk may leak out if you hear your baby cry or think about it. This is normal and will not last more than a few days.
- Buy a breast milk pad to absorb the leaking milk.
Step 3. Know that you will likely gain weight when you stop breastfeeding
Breastfeeding can burn extra calories so you will gain weight unless you also reduce your calorie intake.
- Since weaning is a tough process for your body, it's best to start cutting calories gradually, not drastic diets.
- If you want to consume the same number of calories as breastfeeding, you will need to increase your activity level to burn them off.
Step 4. Recognize that hormonal changes during weaning can affect mood
It may take the body a few weeks or more to return to its pre-pregnancy state and in the meantime the hormones may be out of balance.
There are some women who experience the postpartum baby blues. It is characterized by irritability, anxiety, whining, and generally feeling sad. Sometimes these feelings lead to depression. Call your doctor if you don't feel like your usual self
Step 5. Get support if necessary
Weaning is a physically and emotionally strenuous process, and you may need to talk to someone.
- Talk to a friend or a lactation consultant about the weaning process and what you're going through. Sometimes you will feel calmer when you know that what you are experiencing is normal.
- Consider contacting La Leche League International for extra help and support. Their website https://www.llli.org/ is easy to understand and a very helpful resource for mothers who want to wean a baby.
- If you feel helpless or hopeless, or if the guilt or anxiety starts to feel overwhelming, seek emergency help or make an appointment with your doctor to discuss options you can take to manage your anxiety.
Tips
- Avoid holding the baby in the same position as the breastfeeding position. Babies will expect to suckle when placed in their usual feeding position and may be frustrated if they are not given a breast.
- Avoid open tops that show cleavage or bust. Babies associate the breast with suckling and will be frustrated if they can see it, but shouldn't suckle.
