Remember when you first held your baby? All you were probably told is that breastfeed is best for the little one. So, you stayed up every night, for long hours, nursing your delicate baby with cracked nipples, wondering if there’s an end in sight. Sure, over time, breastfeeding became easier and you must have started liking the bonding now, but wouldn’t you simply love to slip into a sexy non – nursing bra once again (well I did!)? Or maybe, having your kiddo not pawing at your shirt all night long? Maybe it’s just time to wean. Like all the good things and feelings, breastfeeding needs to come to an end too. But, when? That’s the big question. Here are five points to help you know that this is the right time to stop (and not feel guilty about it either). I made my decision wisely, and so should you. We’re mothers after all, and we know what’s best for our darlings.
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A gradual decrease in the frequency, as well as the length of the nursing sessions, is a sign of the baby being ready to wean. It just means that your little one doesn’t just want it anymore. Other factors that may indicate the same are drinking from a cup and getting a major part of nutrition from solid food. A major sign can be the baby’s refusal to breastfeeding for two weeks.
As per lactation consultants and obstetricians/ gynecologists, until kids are 12 months or older, they don’t self – wean. Usually, if signs of weaning are observed before the baby is one-year-old, it can be a nursing strike (some kind of a rebel these kids can be!), usually resulting from teething, illness, stress, routine changes like holidays, etc. and is usually temporary. But if the kid is older than a year, he may be ready to wean.
This might sound very basic and simple, but if as a mother, you decide not to continue any longer, it probably is time to stop breastfeeding. Any time that you feel like you are done, ranging from after a few weeks up to a few years is good. It is usually the mother who is ready to wean before the kid is and that is absolutely fine. (Nothing makes you selfish or a bad mother!)
Also read: How To Overcome Common Breastfeeding Issues Faced During The Initial Days
Sometimes, duty calls can be the reason to wean. But make sure you avoid the ‘cold turkey’ approach. Not nursing your little one for a complete week at a stretch is not a good idea at all! Instead, take it slow. Skip sometimes and keep your baby distracted.
While weaning is suggested by doctors in a number of situations, here are a few handful which are incompatible with breastfeeding. These include mastectomy for breast cancer or chemotherapy. If weaning is required by the mother to prioritize her health, then she must ensure that advice from a lactation consultant is involved. This makes sure that she really needs to stop nursing the kid. Also, an expert can give the right advice on techniques to wean as well as provide emotional support as it can be stressful for the baby and the mother. Though most of us stop breastfeeding anytime between 3 months to a year, in many parts of the world, it is continued for even two years or longer. It completely depends on personal circumstances, choice, and emotional requirements.
When did you know that it was time to stop breastfeeding your little charmer?
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This blog was originally published on Indian Moms Communtiy.