When to Stop Breastfeeding or Start Weaning
There is no specific age for when to stop breastfeeding and consequently start weaning. Since breast milk is the best form of food and nutrition for babies, some mothers choose to continue breastfeeding till their child is approaching toddlerhood. Though, as mentioned in the previous section, a child will need to begin eating solid foods or drinking formula milk when breast milk no longer fills their tummies, and they need other sources of nutrition.
The time that your breast milk is no longer enough to satisfy your child’s hunger can be your signal to begin weaning. For a majority of women, this occurs when the baby is around six to seven months of age, though some children start as early as four months, while others start later. There are times that your child will prefer other foods to breast milk or they will reject your breast during feeding sessions and not eat.
Sometimes this “nursing strike” happens because the baby is becoming distracted by their surroundings, and as their senses develop, new tastes and sensations become exciting. During this stage, you can choose to breastfeed your child (when they want to breastfeed) apart from adding formula or solids to their diet. You can also express breast milk, and feed them through a baby bottle.
Be sure that your child is rejecting your breast because they have had enough breast milk and want something else or because there is no more milk and they are still hungry. Sometimes children refuse to breastfeed because they don’t feel well. Other times you may have changed the soap or deodorant you are using and they are not accustomed to the smell, or you’re about to have your period. If these are the reasons why your child refuses breast milk, they may not be ready to wean yet.
Giving your child breast milk for as long as possible is what will be best for them nutrition wise, even if they are already mixed feeding. It’s also the cheapest way that you can provide milk for your child. If you find that you are “running out” of breast milk at the same time your child begins eating solids and drinking formula, this means a natural weaning process has begun. Try to match this natural weaning by practicing some of the weaning methods discussed in this book in order to make the transition smooth and easy for your child.
The decision to stop breastfeeding directly and start weaning is yours to make. As a mother, just make sure that the transition is good for your baby, and in a way that is not difficult or traumatic for either of you.
Weaning your child will give you more time to do other things, and at the same time it gives others a chance to feed the baby. Expressing breast milk and feeding through a bottle or introducing solids can be your partner’s chance to feed the child as well. This means that weaning can actually open up avenues for paternal bonding, and even sibling bonding, both of which are good for your baby.
Next Article: How to Wean Your Child
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