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Is baby ready to begin the weaning process and stop breastfeeding? Certified lactation consultant at Intermountain American Fork Hospital gives moms suggestions.

(PRUnderground) November 30th, 2024

Mothers that are breastfeeding their baby might wonder if either they or baby are ready to begin the weaning process and stop breastfeeding. Just as deciding to breastfeed is a personal decision, so is weaning.

Benefits of breastfeeding

For years clinical research has shown breastfeeding infants have decreased rates of lower respiratory tract infections, severe diarrhea, ear infections and obesity. Breastfeeding is associated with lower risk of sudden infant death syndrome, as well as other protective effects.

The antibodies in breastmilk help protect babies from illness. Breastmilk has just the right amount of fat, sugar, water, and protein to help your baby continue to grow.

Breastfeeding is also a great benefit to the environment and society. Breastfeeding families are sick less often and parents miss less work. Breastfeeding does not require the use of energy for manufacturing or create waste. There is no risk of contamination, and it is always at the right temperature and ready to feed. As long as you breastfeed, you and your baby will reap those benefits.

How long to breastfeed

In 2022, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) updated their recommendations for breastfeeding to highlight the benefits of breastfeeding beyond one year. In the past the organization had recommended breastfeeding for one year. But this new guideline brings things in line with what the World Health Organization has recommended for years.

Breastfeeding recommendations from the AAP:

• Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months. There is no need to introduce infant formula or other sources of nutrition for most infants. Beyond six months, breastfeeding should be maintained along with nutritious complementary foods.

• There are continued benefits from breastfeeding beyond one year, and up to two years especially in the mother. Long-term breastfeeding is associated with protections against diabetes, high blood pressure, and cancers of the breast and ovaries.

Some reasons you may want or need to wean your baby

Sometimes women may need to wean their baby, or they may choose to wean their baby. Talk with a lactation consultant and ask about what options you might consider. Some reasons moms may start to think about weaning might be:

1. Returning to work. Often you can still breastfeed after returning to work, by pumping milk when you’re away from your baby. Current U.S. laws require employers to allow time and place for pumping milk.

2. Concern about taking medications that would transfer into breastmilk. Most medications are safe to take while breastfeeding. Ask your provider or pharmacist about your medications and breastfeeding.

3. Medical concerns. If you or your baby needs to receive medical treatment and are concerned about whether you can continue to breastfeed, talk to your doctor or a lactation consultant. If you have a baby in the Neonatal ICU, you can pump your milk. Breastmilk is especially beneficial for preemies.

4. Traumatic circumstances may mean you need to stop breastfeeding, such as when you have a stillborn baby or a baby that dies as an infant.

Two ways to wean your baby gradually

Sometimes your baby will lead the weaning. Or sometimes mom can lead the weaning. But the best way to wean is to do it gradually. Abrupt weaning is hard for baby and for mom.

Weaning before six months is harder than when your baby is older. If your baby is eating solid food, they will gradually become less interested in nursing.

There are different methods to wean your baby. The latest information on weaning states that a mom should wean gradually to help avoid trauma to the infant, avoid a breast infection (mastitis) and to make it more comfortable for the mom. You can put cold packs or green cabbage leaves on the breasts to help with pain or discomfort.

1. Baby lead weaning. Don’t offer to nurse your baby, but don’t refuse if your baby wants to nurse.

2. Drop one feeding at a time. Start with the feeding your baby will miss the least or their least favorite time for feeding. You can drop one more feeding per day about every 3-7 days. If you drop about one feeding per week, your milk supply will decrease gradually, which is more comfortable for you and then your baby can adjust gradually too.

Challenges with weaning

Sometimes a baby is difficult to wean. You can use distraction and do another favorite activity with your baby at the time you’d usually nurse. You might have to change locations or avoid the place where you usually nurse.

Emotions surrounding weaning

Some mothers feel a deep sadness when they wean because it means their baby is moving on to another stage of life. These feelings are normal. Make sure you give extra love, hugs, and attention to your baby as they wean. You can start new habits like playing or reading a book together.

If you have to wean your baby and you’re not ready, you may feel anger and sadness. This is normal. When you wean your baby, you may also feel a little more freedom. Weaning means you’re free to leave your baby for longer periods of time if you have someone you trust who can watch your baby.

If you’ve had to wean your baby due to a traumatic experience, such as a loss of your baby, you can pump your milk and donate it for other babies. Many Intermountain hospitals in Utah are donation sites for the Mountain West Mother’s Milk Bank which has guidelines for accepting donations of breastmilk.

For more information about virtual or in-person lactation consultations in Utah, visit the lactation support webpage at intermountainhealth.org.

About Intermountain Health

Headquartered in Utah with locations in six states and additional operations across the western U.S., Intermountain Healthis a not-for-profit system of 34 hospitals, approximately 400 clinics, medical groups with some 4,600 employed physicians and advanced care providers, a health plans division called Select Health with more than one million members, and other health services. Helping people live the healthiest lives possible, Intermountain is committed to improving community health and is widely recognized as a leader in transforming healthcare by using evidence-based best practices to consistently deliver high-quality outcomes at sustainable costs. For up-to-date information and announcements, please see the Intermountain Health newsroom at https://intermountainhealthcare.org/news.

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