According to the WHO, breastfeeding should last for 12-24 months or for as long as both the mother and the baby want. Choosing when to start weaning is different for every mom, but for all mothers, weaning your child off breastmilk can be a daunting task.
From breast to bottle
While some moms opt to do it "cold turkey" and just stop breastfeeding abruptly, it can have adverse effects such as breast engorgement or depression. That's why it's best to take it slow and steady so you can gradually transition your child from breast to bottle.
They key to weaning is that you have to be consistent. Whichever method you choose to wean your child, the key is to always be consistent. If you're trying to limit the number of times you breastfeed per day, then make sure to stick to it, with no exceptions.
You also shouldn't limit yourself to just trying out a single method. Moms use different techniques or methods that they find work the best for them. That's why you should be open to trying out new things or taking some weaning tips and adapting them to suit you and your baby's needs.
Go to the next page to learn how other moms wean their babies!
How do other moms do it?
We looked around online, and we also asked other moms for some tips that they can share when it comes to weaning their baby, here are a few of them:
Great idea! A gradual transition takes some effort, but it's good for helping your child ease into bottle feeding.
Here's another one, this time it's about baby-led weaning (BLW), which is basically giving your child solid instead of pureed food to wean them:
Go to the next page for more weaning tips!
Relieving pain during weaning
For one reason or another, some mothers experience pain or swelling whenever they start to wean their child. That's why it's important to know not only how to wean, but how to take care of yourself during this time.
Here are a few tips that you can follow to ease your weaning woes:
- If you feel pain in your breast because you're breastfeeding less, you should express some of your milk. You can use a breast pump or express milk by hand if your breasts are starting to hurt because you're not breastfeeding.
- Don't bind your breasts to "dry up" your milk supply. Binding your breasts is an outdated practice and it can cause breast abscess, breast infection, or plugged ducts.
- You can use pain relievers such as ibuprofen. If the pain is too much, even after expressing milk, then you can try using pain relievers. Make sure to consult your doctor about it first, especially if you're still breastfeeding.
- Use cabbage leaves as a cold compress as well as to stop your milk supply. If you feel pain or swelling in your breasts, then you can use cabbage leaves as a cold compress. Scientists still don't know what exactly happens when you use cabbage leaves, but they're pretty effective.
- Some herbs can help "dry up" your milk supply. Herbs such as sage, peppermint, and even cabbage leaves can help dry up your milk supply when you're weaning your child off breastfeeding.
READ: Baby-led weaning doesn’t increase the risk for choking
Sources: babycenter.com, mayoclinic.org, justbreastfeeding.com, kellymom.com
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