Weaning Baby from Breastfeeding

One of my wonderful readers suggested to me the other day I write a post about weaning baby from breastfeeding. To be honest, the opposite has been on my mind. As I begin to prep for my next baby to arrive mid-April, I’m thinking about how I’m going to be breastfeeding again. It’s been more than a year since I weaned my second child! Here’s some thoughts I have on ways to make weaning go successfully and comfortably for both you and your baby.

Weaning Baby Gradually

Some things in parenting are better done cold turkey, like potty training. Others are better done gradually, like weaning. Weaning done gradually will benefit you because your milk supply will taper off instead of cause you pain from engorgement. Weaning gradually will benefit baby because they will not feel a sudden lack of physical connection to mom. I think it’s most important to wean your baby from breastfeeding at night. A lot of times the reason moms can’t wean breastfeeding babies is because that child is still using the breast as a vehicle to sooth themselves to sleep. Their moms say baby is completely weaned except for one feeding before bed. This feeding should not be the last to go, it should be the first.

After removing night feedings, start offering milk (whatever you choose to give them, most pediatricians suggest whole milk) in a cup or sippy at meal times. This will get your baby accustom to the taste before you start replacing feedings.

Tip: Offer breastmilk in a sippy so your baby gets used to drinking from a cup before transitioning to milk. Then, you can even mix breastmilk with milk to gradually get baby accustom to the new taste.

The last step in this gradual plan is to increase food offerings and start removing feedings. However often your baby would nurse is now how often they should eat. Most children need something every 3 hours, so plan consistent meal times and snacks, offering milk in a cup at every one. I would say you could replace feedings with snacks/meals at a rate of one per two weeks to be nice and gradual.

How to Dry Up Your Supply

For some moms, their supply is abundant and can cause problems when they try to wean. Weaning gradually will help your body regulate, but there are some other things you can do to help your milk dry up. Remember that breastfeeding is all about supply and demand: if you need more, nurse more, if you need less, nurse less. DO NOT pump out your milk because you are engorged. Instead, combat engorgement with a few of these suggestions:

• Take a hot shower
• Cuddle your baby skin to skin
• Massage your breasts

These actions will initiate milk letdown and relieve pressure/pain you feel from engorgement without turning the faucet on full force.

A few natural remedies that help your body dry up milk supply:

• Sage tea (according to wikihow, “Sage contains a natural estrogen that is reputed to dry up your milk supply.”)
• Cabbage (applying cabbage leaves to your breasts reduces swelling as the natural enzymes in cabbage decrease tissue congestion by dilating local capillaries (small blood vessels) improving the blood flow in the area)
• Herbs like red sage, periwinkle, garden mint, and herb robert (according to breastfeeding-problems.com).

If you are feeling swollen and sore but don’t like the letdown heat gives you, cold packs help relieve discomfort and reduce swelling as well. It’s up to you if you prefer cold or hot. I found applying cold cabbage leaves to my breast to be the most helpful in weaning discomfort.

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Give Extra Attention

Be sure to give extra attention to both baby and yourself during the weaning process. Baby will have a hard time losing out on that skin to skin cuddle time with mom. They will need physical reassurance in the form of cuddles and lots of hugs.

Also give extra attention to yourself during this time. It is normal for moms to become a little depressed and feel inadequate during weaning. For some, it may feel liberating, but for others, it may feel like you no longer serve as important of a purpose in your baby’s life.

Weaning should give you a chance to refocus on yourself and remind yourself you are more than a milk machine.

I like to do something special like schedule a massage or pedicure, get my hair done, or shop for flattering clothes. These things I don’t do for myself often and they help me feel like I am reclaiming my body.

The process of weaning baby from breastfeeding can be difficult on you and your child. The most important thing you can do is take it slowly. Most women’s supply dries up in about 2 months, but it is normal for women to sometimes take up to two years for their breasts to completely stop producing milk. If you have any thoughts or questions about weaning your baby, please leave a comment below!