Weaning a Toddler From Breastfeeding

Weaning a child from your breast is part of a natural breastfeeding experience. It should be done gradually. Additionally, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding for at least the first year of life. So, when is it time to wean a toddler, that is only for you the mom and baby to decide. Sometimes, your baby will help you decide called baby led weaning. Other times, it will be the mom who decides. Unfortunately, there are times when an unexpected situation comes up and you have to abruptly wean. Lactation Suppression, abruptly stopping to breastfeed may cause problems by causing certain physical changes too fast in the body. However, for many reasons, sometimes breastfeeding needs to be stopped immediately. Things that can be done to help minimize discomfort are: wearing a good support bra, drinking only to quench thirst, taking Vitamin B6 for five days can help reduce engorgement, use cold and remove the base of a hard vein and gently pound the leaves for 20 minutes at a time, and lastly express some milk to relieve discomfort.A warm shower can help relieve discomfort. You can express milk for comfort level only and this can also be done in the shower. I had to abruptly stop breastfeeding my child when his brother was diagnosed with cancer. The doctor told me that I would be living in the hospital and I could not bring my other son with me. So, overnight I was forced to stop breastfeeding. Luckily, he took the bottle because I breastfed him 100%. But, sometimes, life throws us very hard curves and we are faced with decisions that we wish we never had to make. You can email me for advice if you have to abruptly stop breastfeeding. Gentle weaning is always the best way to go. If possible, allow several weeks to wean.You can introduce a cup to help wean your child off your breast. Make sure the toddler is drinking well before you stop breastfeeding. You can start to shorten breastfeeding sessions. Breastfeeding less starts to help your body adjust and produce less milk. Start eliminating breastfeeding sessions one by one, taking away sessions that your toddler doesn't care about much first. Probably early morning,nap time and bedtime feedings will be the last sessions to give up. Introduce other foods into your baby's diet.You may want to explain to your toddler that he is growing up now and he needs to drink from a cup. In conclusion, weaning is a personnal decision that only a mom and her family can help her make. Breastfeeding a toddler provides comfort, security, closeness and stability. However, you can find plenty of other things to do with your toddler to provide these things for him when you wear. Lastly, try to spend a little extra time with your toddler while you are weaning him and give extra hugs and kisses to him.This will provide the extra cuddles and warmth that he may miss by not breastfeeding.