I know the recommendation is to breastfeed for 2 years, but I’m feeling ready to be done. How can I wean now?
Great job making the best decision for your family! Your baby received so many benefits from your time breastfeeding.
To help make this a smooth transition for both you and your baby, a gradual weaning process is encouraged rather than abruptly weaning. It will take a few weeks to be completely done breastfeeding, but the extra time is worth it! Choose a time that is not stressful for your baby. Adjusting to a new daycare, teething, fighting an illness or going through a growth spurt are not good times to start weaning.
Gradual Weaning:
- Allows your body, breasts and hormones to adjust over time
- Slowly decreases milk supply, which decreases the risk of inflammation and infection
- Reduces baby’s stress
- Eases the emotional transition for both mom and baby
Babies need breast milk and/or infant formula through 12 months of age. Replace feedings at the breast with a bottle of formula.
Week 1: Cut out one breastfeeding session and replace it with a bottle of formula.
Week 2: Replace a second breastfeeding session (preferably the opposite time of day from the first) with a bottle of formula.
As your baby and breasts adjust, keep replacing additional breastfeeding sessions, one at a time, over the course of several weeks. The first breastfeeding session of the morning, or the ones before naps and bedtime are often the hardest for baby to let go of. Consider eliminating those last.
Avoid pumping if you can, but finding a good balance is key. Milk needs to remain in the breasts to signal your body to decrease milk production. However, letting the breasts become so full that they are hard and painful increases the risk of plugged ducts or mastitis. Use ice to decrease swelling and avoid heat. If needed, hand express just a bit to provide some relief but not to empty.
To ease the emotional effects of weaning, increase cuddles and spend more time holding your baby when they are not hungry.
It’s common not to completely ‘dry up’ for a significant period of time, but your breasts will not feel full, uncomfortable or leak excessively after the weaning process is completed.
If baby is reluctant to take a bottle, consider these four things:
1. Timing: Offer the bottle at the right time. Aim for 1-2 hours after the last nursing session, while baby is active but not overly hungry.
2. Happy Cues: Make bottle-feeding a pleasant experience by smiling and talking in a soothing voice.
3. Go Slow: Babies who are used to being fed at the breast like to take their time. Practice paced bottle-feeding to make it similar to breastfeeding. Give baby a small taste on their lips and be gentle.
4. Stop if anyone becomes frustrated. Be patient and try again later. If possible, have someone else offer the bottle to baby (Try not to be anywhere baby can see, hear or smell you.)
Choosing a bottle nipple with a wider base and a flow rate similar to your breast may help.
Can I change my mind?
If the weaning process has started, but doesn’t go as planned, increasing milk production is possible again, even if some breastfeeding sessions were cut out. Adding those back, while carefully reducing formula supplementation will cause your milk supply to rebound. Make sure your baby is getting enough to eat by counting dirty diapers, weight gain and contentment. Reach out to your peer counselor, lactation consultant or doctor for guidance.
Some moms start out with the intention to wean completely, but will change their mind as time goes on, deciding to keep the most special breastfeeding sessions of the day. Nursing in the morning and before bed takes away the need to breastfeed all day long while providing your baby with so many benefits to their immune system. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing, and your body will adjust to how much breast milk is regularly removed.