How Do I Stop Breastfeeding?

Please, please research the benefits of longer-term b-feeding. It's really good for you (lowers b-cancer risk), as well as for baby (increased immunity, among countless others). It's really worth it to b-feed as long as baby's interested, especially for the comfort and stability it provides baby. It can be really traumatic for a baby to be weaned when they're not ready.

Some sites:
AskDrSears.com
Mothering.com
www.llli.org/nb.html

Good luck.

You don't say why you're wanting to stop, so it's hard to recommend the most effective method of weaning. I will say that you've done a great job making it to 6 months of breastfeeding. You do know that 6 months exclusive breastfeeding is just the first part of the recommendations for breastfeeding? Now is the time when the weaning process is supposed to begin. Weaning begins when you introduce anything other than the breast, including foods and juice. This would be a good time to introduce a cup. Forget the bottles as they're more hassle down the road and starting a cup now develops good habits. I would recommend the soft spout Nubby cups. Start with a little water and let her play with it to get familiar with it before adding cut juice or anything else. In the next month or so as your baby takes more solid food you won't be nursing as often anyway, so unless you're looking at being totally weaned at the minimum recommended age of 12 months, you're not going to need formula unless you are using it already while you're at work. If you're wanting to continue but have other things getting in the way and weaning seems like the easiest way, please contact me in a private message. I'd be happy to help you off the clock to help you find a solution that works for you if you really want to continue but feel you don't have any other options. Helping moms find ways to make breastfeeding work for them is what I do for a living. I'm not a LC yet, but I'm working towards it and would be happy to help you continue or wean.

I started by replacing one breast-feeding session with a bottle. Don't pump to replace that feeding because then your body won't know to slow down milk production. Once you feel comfortable with that, replace another one, etc. I saved the early morning feeding and then the bedtime feeding for last, that way during the day you can give a bottle and not worry about feeding in public. I held onto the bedtime feeding until my supply was very low. It took me about two months to wean completely off and I started at 6 months. Good luck!

I think Daniel's advice is very good, but you should consider weaning to a sippy cup instead of a bottle. I started my dd on a sippy at 6 months for juice and water. Also, start with a mid-day feeding, or middle of the night feeding if she still wakes. Are you really sure you want to wean? It is so good for mother and child to breast feed for the first year. I know it can be a bit limiting to your schedule, but you only have another 6 months to go. With both of my children I would nurse in my car if I was out with them.
There are a few natural times for a child to want to wean themselves. Which my be easier on her, I think that one is actual around 6 months. My dd deceided she didn't want to nurse anymore around 11 months, she just had better things to do, which made it easy on both of us ;0)
I am currently nursing a 6 month old boy and nursed my 3 year old for her 11 months. I still hold those moments close to my heart. I can still remember all that time that we shared, the breast is just so much more personal than the bottle. I know it isn't for everyone, just make sure that the choice is right for both of you... good luck.
Kami

Hello,
I found that the best way is to stop one feeding a week and supplement that with a bottle or a feeding of baby food. Continue to hold your daughter in the nursing position because that will make it easier for her to adjust also.
I hope that this helps. Good Luck.
L.

Do you still want to use breast milk or switch to formula is one question that needs to be addressed if you still want to use breast milk then pump and use a bottle if you switch to formula then just start using a bottle but for yourself when you stop breastfeeding you will need to take a towel or sheet and tie it tightly around your breasts for a few nights to help stop milk production plus to keep from making a mess of the bed as you will leak.
S.

Hi D. J,

Have you called the La Leche League to ask for help? They are available for all kinds of questions regarding breast feeding. Good luck. D.

I don't know if you pump at all. I just moved mine to pumping and a bottle, mixing in formula to the breast milk a little more each day until she liked the taste. I was down to only nursing in the morning and nighttime. Then, I simply held her close and cuddled her while I gave her a bottle and snuggled her, just like when she was nursing. A lot of times they just crave the closeness. I acutally had to introduce a pacifier at that age, because mine really enjoying the sucking, but after a few days of popping the pacifier in after the bottle, and holding her against my warm skin, she was content.

I am a mother of one 6 yr old who was sooooo hard to wean. I also have three sisters and almost all of my friends who also breastfed and went through this process. Most of us did not wean until 1 or 2 years old, which is a little more difficult. But the general consensus is to make sure the child will take the bottle (usually easier if given by someone else) and then wean her one feeding at a time, leaving the night feeding for last. In other words, gradually replace a feeding with a bottle until you are only nursing her at night time. Then that feeding may be the most difficult to wean and you will just have to go for it and deal with the consequences -- but don't give in once you start. It will only make it harder for both of you.
I wish you the best of success.

Well, be prepared for engorgement if you stop cold turkey. But it should go away...but then I'd just start by eliminating one feeding a week...like a bottle for breakfast instead of breast...then the next week eliminate lunch as well till you only have nights then walla...your done. As long as your baby does well with a bottle you shouldn't have a problem. Your baby is now able to start baby food now too so I don't see it being a big problem...I am a believer on breast is best and cheaper, but you have to feel confident and you know what will work for you and do it!!! Good luck and take care

The best way to begin the weaning process is to go slow. You don't want to give yourself mastitis due to engorgement and you don't want it to be a traumatic experience for your daughter. If your daughter is nursing let's say 8 times a day then you will want to pick one of those nursing times and replace it with a bottle of formula(ask your doctor which brand is best for her). But only replace one feeding every 2 or 3 days or longer depending on your child, the weaning process will take a couple of weeks maybe a couple of months depending on the needs of the child. During this time you will want to make sure that you are giving her extra attention
and love to substitute for the closeness you shared while nursing.
Took this info from The Breastfeeding Answer Book 3rd Edition.
D. Richards Le Leche League Leader