Comments on: How do I go about stopping breastfeeding?

By: Terry W

Terry W — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 03:33:44 +0000

I would start by only nursing her three times per day for 3-4 days. To replace the other feedings, I would give her a cup of cow’s (whole) milk. Also, giving your child a cup of water some of the time is good as children do fill up on milk and sometimes will not eat food. Then, I would only breastfeed twice per day for 3-4 days. Then, I would drop to breastfeeding once per day for 3-4 days. I would cut the nighttime feedings last. I would avoid giving your 15 month old a bottle as this will be another weaning process to have to go through.

By: lona b

lona b — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 02:45:07 +0000

Check with the health departments lactation specialist. That person can give you the most informed advise next to your own mother. Check with both.

By: debyellowdebra

debyellowdebra — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 01:48:01 +0000

Hi Pam, I breastfed my two kids until they were about 17 months. I wanted to stop but felt so emotional about it. I couldn’t stop thinking about it and I cried all the time. I loved having them in the bed and feeding them. My kids loved being fed so I felt guilty, but one day I decided, “tonight I am stopping feeding and that’s it” It was hard as baby wants mummy’s milk, but be strong and just do it. After about three nights they get the message that there is no more milk, and just keeping saying to babes, “sorry but there is no more milk from mummy now” and offer an alternative, (beaker with water)
You can wean them off gradually but either way your boobs get engorged and they hurt for a bit.
You will be sad, but once you have done it you kind of have a different relationship with your child, one that doesn’t involve the dependence of the feed. It is a lovely change.
You could wait to see if baby stops, it is your body so it’s up to you. I think they would feed for ever if they had the chance because it is so nice for them, but remember it is a habit they have been forming since birth and to stop it, you need to be firm.

Enjoy it and good luck.

By: marcy m

marcy m — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 01:39:53 +0000

stop one feeding for the first week than 2 and so on night-time being the last to go.yes you may get a little emotional about your baby not needing you so much ,but you’ll get over it

By: AlongthePemi

AlongthePemi — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:56:48 +0000

You’re not breastfeeding her that much now anyway. I would just let her stop when she is ready.

By: Jennifer B

Jennifer B — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:33:28 +0000

Why are you stopping? I got emotional when my daughter stopped at 10 months, because I loved the bond and her dependency on me. Usually the easiest way to stop is when the baby loses interest, because they drink less and less each time and then your milk will slowly dry out with no pain or uncomfortableness for you. That is what happened to me. And by the way, I think there is nothing wrong with nursing her to get her sleepy. I did that and this type of dependency is good. People who don’t breastfeed give their little ones bottles or juice before bed.

By: BRENDA B

BRENDA B — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 23:54:29 +0000

Don’t listen to the people that say give a bottle. At 15 mos there is no reason she should be on a bottle. But please do it gradually. I don’t have any experience on this because my children weaned on their own but if you do it quickly you risk getting engorged and getting an infection and your daughter doesn’t know what’s going on. Maybe try giving her a cup of breastmilk or regular milk when she wants to nurse and do that once a day, slowly up the amount. Hopefully that will help..good luck!

By: amberwavessss

amberwavessss — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 23:21:03 +0000

Only nurse when the baby goes for it. Don’t offer or suggest nursing to your child. When she wakes up at night see if she’ll setle herslf back to sleep, or if she needs you, comfort her without nursing. If you stop gradually you shouldn’t have a problem with engorgement.

By: gilmore_catz

gilmore_catz — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 23:00:17 +0000

When I stopped breastfeeding my son I did it gradually. One night I would breastfeed, next night bottle feed. Eventually he did not prefer one over the other. This was the point that he became really attached to his blanket though. I think he may have traded one comfort for another, which might not be a bad way to approach it if you are concerned about her getting upset at night. Because I slowly stopped breastfeeding I never had any problems with my breasts becoming sore. As for the emotional part of it, I was a little sad about losing that closeness with my baby. I figured though that this was just his first step towards growing up and that I needed to start learning how to cope with that.

By: hortencia g

hortencia g — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 22:23:44 +0000

have you tried giving her a bottle, pacifier, or sippie just take it away little by little i bet its as hard as getting child of a bottle my oldest drank one until he as 3 1/2 yrs old