How I Knew It Was Time To Stop Breastfeeding

Getting started with breastfeeding is painful and it gets worse if you get a cracked nipple. But once you get on with it, I’m pretty sure you will agree with the fact that there is no feeling in this world that can replace it. Breastfeeding is not just to feed the baby but it is a very important catalyst that triggers the emotional development between the mother and the child (1). This becomes a significant problem when it’s time for you to stop breastfeeding- you miss the bonding. Even so, there will be a million doubts in your mind regarding when to stop breastfeeding and how to do it. Worry not, because we’ve got your back.

What Is Weaning?

If you’ve been trying to explore the final stages of breastfeeding, you would have definitely encountered the word “weaning.” So, what is weaning? Weaning generally means getting accustomed to something different (2). In our context, it means getting the baby detached from breastfeeding and introducing other food items. The process is a complex one that involves nutritional, immunological, and biochemical changes (3).

Types Of Weaning

There are two different types of weaning that can occur and you need to know well enough about them in case you’re entering the final stage of nursing. Remember that weaning can occur in different ways for different people and you cannot really think everything through according to your assumptions.

Natural Weaning (Infant-Led Weaning)

This type of weaning occurs when the infant starts consuming more of complimentary food items other than your breastmilk. This means that your little one will want to eat larger portions of a variety of food items that you provide or he/she discovers while others eat. If you’re okay with natural weaning, it will take two to four years for your baby to become completely independent from nursing (4).

Planned Weaning (Mother-led Weaning)

Planned weaning is when the mother stops nursing the baby without any signals from the baby. This is also a gradual process and you cannot just stop breastfeeding the baby in a day or within a week. Some of the common reasons for planned weaning include getting back to work after maternity leave, another pregnancy, the eruption of baby’s teeth, lack of milk, painful feedings, and transition to feeding by another caretaker. This kind of weaning may result in the complete stopping of breastfeeding before you intend to actually stop nursing the child altogether (5). You can always seek the help of a doctor in case you have issues with nursing and weaning.

Weaning From The Mother’s Perspective

Many women find it difficult to adjust to the fact that their baby doesn’t need their breastmilk anymore (6). The sudden independence your baby enjoys may not feel very good from your side and some women feel that their child doesn’t need them anymore. Of course, it is pretty normal to feel this way since you are going to miss the prolonged emotional bonding time and the amazing hormonal effect during nursing. It’s even harder if the baby loses interest first and retracts from nursing.

Weaning From The Baby’s Perspective

Weaning can sometimes be really hard on the baby if it is initiated by the mother. You may have many reasons to plan the weaning and it kind of becomes difficult to go on with breastfeeding after one or two years. However, it is important to make sure that your baby is not adversely affected by your decision. Most of the time, nursing is accompanied by a lot of snuggling, comforting, and sleeping together. When you suddenly stop nursing, your baby is deprived of all these things as well, and he/she might feel rejected. To avoid this, put in some extra effort in comforting your baby and sleep along during bedtime for a while. In other words, make the transition smooth (7).

You may experience a bit of anger and rebellious behavior from the baby’s side during the whole weaning transition (8). Try to make things as easy as possible for the baby during this period because this detachment is probably harder on them than you. Try to introduce new ways to bond with your child during different stages of growth so that the emotional bond doesn’t get weaker during the transitions from one stage to another.

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