When and How to Stop Breastfeeding?

If you are a lactating mother and searching for cool tips and tricks to start the weaning process. If you have to come to the right blog because you must study your child wisely and his choices and preferences regarding his taste. We know that every child is different, and so is development also.

Understanding how to stop breastfeeding?

Before diving deep into the topic of how to stop breastfeeding. You need to know a few facts that are given below: 

• Your baby should be more than 6 months old for the weaning process. 
• It is a must that you have exclusively provided breastfeeding for the first 6 months. 
• You don't need to know how to stop breastfeeding after 6 months. Instead, you can do both at the same time to protect your baby from infection.

If you are unsure that you may be able to breastfeed your baby. You should consult a doctor who will track your child's development to advise you on the precise diet of your baby. This blog will aid you in understanding effective tips on how to stop breastfeeding. 

Also Read: Benefits of Breastfeeding For Mom & Baby

Tips that how to Stop Breastfeeding 

Now we can gather all the points that Breastfeeding becomes easier to stop and what are the things you keep in mind after stopping breast milk for your child. 

1. You should know when to stop breastfeeding

You will notice that your baby starts giving clues that you can stop breastfeeding. Find out what these factors are associated with: 

• When your baby starts holding his/her head in an upright position. 
• Your baby always tries to snatch your food. 
• Your baby is interested in Breastfeeding. 
• Breastfeeding becomes inconvenient for both the mother and the child. 
• Your baby requests more solid food. 

Also Read: Breastfeeding Facts for Moms

2. Slowly and Gradually Stop Breastfeeding 

The process should be slow because if you abruptly how to stop breastfeeding. Then it might affect the nutritional status of your child. Let's explore What are the factors that you should keep in mind are as follows: 

• If you stop immediately, you will not allow your child to grow in taste. This may result in the deprivation of vitamins and minerals. 
• It should be a gradual and side-by-side process because you cannot provide all the food and whole on the very first day of weaning. 
• Breastfeeding helps digestion, so our child faces problems with weaning food. Then your breast milk will ease the process of digestion and make the child tolerant to the food. 

3. Provide Emotional Support to Your Baby 

While stopping Breastfeeding, your child may feel detached from you. Therefore, be sure to provide love by touching his back and hand and kissing on the head and hands. You can spend quality time by singing a lullaby and always try to tell your child from time to time how much you loved her or him. Even mothers feel saddened, too, because oxytocin also decreases with the increasing weaning process. 

Also Read: 10 Foods To Avoid While Breastfeeding

4. Always Set a Time for Weaning

Do not mess with timing because your child needs frequent small meals. It is important to wean at regular gaps because it may cause dehydration and underfeeding. Always be cautious about how your child is reacting. Schedule your meals according to your child's preferences because your child is at a developing age. If it is possible to provide partial feed to the baby, it helps him/her to develop taste buds. 

5. Consider the preferences of the child to stop breastfeeding

Every child's tastes are different. Therefore, forcing something a child doesn't want will not satisfy the appetite. However, you blend it with other products to minimize the pressure on you and your child to finish the meal. Cook according to what your child wants to eat. I know it might be quite difficult; however, knowing the taste will help you give all the supplements and vitamins to your newborn. 

6. Accept the fact that your baby can deny Breastfeeding

Your baby can deny Breastfeeding. As they show less interest, babies are interested in colorful slippers and cups. They also get fascinated with different colors of dishes. If a baby is hungry, he/she will not look for her mother to feed. He/she whatever is served in the bowl. Babies show interest in a variety of dishes if they are really hungry. However, do not feel saddened if your baby denies you taking your breast milk. 

Also Read: New Moms: Breastfeeding difficulties & challenges

7. Try to distract your child to stop breastfeeding

This is one of the most effective tips on how to stop breastfeeding. Suppose you want to change the habits of your child and shift to weaning food. Then try to divert your child through play-ups, singing, and small activities. In those activities, you can start your weaning process. And in no time, your child will finish a bowl with distraction therapy. 

8. Use pumps to stop breastfeeding

However, the women producing a lot of milk feel uncomfortable. They can be used to prevent breast milk leakage and also preserve the milk for later use. Moreover, through the pumps, it becomes easier to reduce the amount of breast milk. In the end, women can control the production of milk. 

9. Manage engorgement to stop breastfeeding

Holding on to Breastfeeding can be painful for some women. There are many ways that a mother can reduce the pain of the breast by following a few steps: 

• Apply cabbage leaves which reduce inflammation.
• Take NSAIDs for pain. 
• Apply warm or cold compression to the breast. 
• Massage breasts gently. 
• Use supportive bra

When is it a must to know how to stop breastfeeding?

There is no doubt that the female body goes through many changes from pregnancy to breastfeeding. Let's discuss some conditions that mothers have problems with providing Breastfeeding to her/his child are: 

• Less production of milk over time
• Expecting another baby again
• On some medications
• Sore or painful breasts
• Breast Cancer
• Going back to routine work

Outlook

Many women find it difficult to provide what they need to take some steps on how to stop breastfeeding baby. You can contact the Pediatrician if you have doubts about the weaning process. Moreover, you can contact a Gynecologist if you find any abnormalities in your health. Your health is important as a mother, and you must fully take care of yourself. So never underestimate any problem or have queries, do ask or appoint a child specialist at Credihealth.

Also Read: Common Breastfeeding Questions - Answered!