How Do I Stop Breastfeeding?

The answer to this question depends on a multitude of factors including where you are in your feeding your journey.

For some stopping breastfeeding is a process which occurs gradually and automatically while the consumption of solid foods increases. For others it can require more intentional decision-making or require urgent intervention

.

Things to know:

• The WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of a child's life and continuing to feed following the introduction of solid foods until 2 and beyond if mum and baby wish it. No one has to breastfeed if they don't want to. Depending on their age and alternative to breastmilk may need to be provided.
  

• Stopping breastfeeding can impact your breast health and you deserve adequate guidance to navigate this e.g. how reducing the likelihood of developing blocked ducts while weaning.

  
  

• Sometimes we'd like to continue breastfeeding but other challenges such as lack of sleep push parents into thinking stopping feeding is their only option. It is possible to make changes to breastfeeding without ending your journey. A good consultant will work to understand your motivations around stopping feeding and the specific challenges you are facing so that they make recommendations which work towards your desires.

  
  

• Not every medical professional is up-to-date on what procedures and medications are compatible with breastfeeding.

  You can check advice from the Academy of Breastfeeding medicine and national organisations such as das Bundesamt für Strahlenschutz and discuss this with your doctor.
  

  Embryotox and Reprotox are also very useful tools for checking medications and breastfeeding.

• It's possible to take a break from feeding rather than stopping entirely and you can take a break for whatever reason, whether it's taking a trip away, going back to work, need a medical procedure or are in pain. This can look different depending on the age of your baby, the length of the break and your needs as a parent. A lactation consultant can support you to identify if a break is actually necessary and to make a plan for such a situation Some questions you might have:

  • How will my baby be fed in my absence?

  • How do I maintain my supply?

  • How will my baby sleep without me?

  • How do I protect my breast health while I'm away?
    

• Stopping breastfeeding can have an impact on your mood. Hormone changes can lead you to feel overwhelmed, sad or lonely or have trouble sleeping, among other things. This may last for a few weeks.

Ok but How Do I Actually Stop?

You focus on replacing the needs met my breastfeeding.

Nutrition

Generally you start to reduce feeds as your child's consumption of solid foods increases.

In the first year, it is important to continue to feed your baby on demand. Remember the WHO recommendation that breastmilk forms part of baby's diet until at least 2 years of age - therefore if you are weaning before that, you need to make sure that baby is receiving appropriate alternative calories.

Comfort and emotional regulation

Babies also feed for a variety of reasons. This may mean you need to work with your child to provide them alternative sources of comfort and emotional regulation and find other strategies to support them with sleep.

How fast?

This depends on your motivation for stopping. In an ideal world this is a slow process matched to the lactating parent and child's needs. Especially if you need to stop quickly, please seek professional support.

It's a personal thing

For advice personalised to your situation consider speaking to a lactation consultant (ideally one also qualified in children's sleep if you want to make changes to night feeding).

For more detailed but less tailored advice, consider a Weaning Workshop.

References:

World Health Orgnisation (WHO) Breastfeeding Recommendations https://www.who.int/health-topics/breastfeeding#tab=tab_2