Weaning from the breast

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You could feel that the time is right to stop breastfeeding at any point and for a number of reasons for example:

You need to return to work and don't want to pump
Your baby has teeth and this is becomming painful
Your baby has reached an age where you feel it is no longer appropriate
Your baby has reached the age you wanted to feed until

Whatever the reason and age of your baby, you CAN wean them from the breast. Obviously, the older the baby the more difficult this may be - but a little perseverence will get you there.

Weaning a young baby

Stopping breastfeeding a younger baby is easy in many ways - they rarely refuse a bottle, as its easier than what they are used to! However it can be harder on you - Both emotionally and physically.

What NOT to do...

Don't feel guilty, or let others make you feel it! Whatever your reasons they are valid and you are perfectly entitled to them!

How to go about it:

If you can, drop one feed at a time a few days apart. This is a more gradual way of stopping and will be less painful for you. If you do have to stop suddenly for whatever reason - you may find your breasts are quite uncomfortable - take some paracetamol if needed, but try not to express unless you have to as this will make the drying up process take longer. A cold compress may help reduce discomfort.

Weaning a baby over 9 Months

Weaning an older baby can be more tricky.. they are used to the breast (and probably not a bottle) and may be stronger willed about their feelings on the matter! You have a few options with how you work weaning, depending on your preference - but the key is to be consistent. If you try one thing and baby isn't interested, don't give up! Baby won't suddenly become poorly just becasue (s)he has missed one milk feed!

Express breastmilk into a cup and offer it as a drink with a meal - to get baby used to drinking it from a cup. Then once baby is accepting it, introduce in the morning, and finally evening.
If older than 12 months, you can give cows milk from a cup - it may be a good idea to get daddy to give baby their milk for a few days at whichever feed you decide to drop - if baby sees you, they are going to associate it with the breast.
Allowing baby to self wean is another option - this is entirely up to you, but may require another year or more of feeds before baby decides to stop, so you need to be prepared for that!

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