Breastfeeding - weaning from the breast
breasts; breast feeding; breastfeeding; weaning; expressing; mastitis ;
Contents
Weaning begins when the first solid foods or fluids other than breastmilk are offered. Sooner or later every breastfed baby will move to taking other foods.
The term weaning can be used to describe the normal progression to starting other solid foods while the baby continues to breastfeed or weaning from the breast to infant formula for babies under 12 months of age.
Gradual and mutual weaning when you are both ready for it is ideal, but sometimes weaning needs to happen earlier or more quickly than planned. This can happen if the mother becomes unwell, when a baby refuses the breast, or if a mother chooses to wean from the breast.
Mothers often feel sad and guilty when they wean, especially when it is earlier or more sudden than expected. This can be an emotional time for both mother and baby. The following information can support you with weaning.
When to wean
- The World Health Organisation recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months (no formula or other foods) and that breastfeeding continue for up to 2 years, or more - with other foods added from about 6 months. However, breastfeeding for even a short time (a few months, weeks or days), is good for your baby.
- Some mothers gradually wean during the second 6 months when other foods are being introduced, and some choose to let their child breastfeed into the toddler years until the child decides to give it up. So you can either guide the process or leave it up to the baby.
- At any stage, gradual weaning is best, to allow you, your breasts and your baby time to adjust to the change. It is also less stressful for you and your baby.
Remember that breastfeeding is also an important way for your baby to get comfort and to relate to you. When you change how you feed your baby, you need to find other ways to do this. Your baby will need plenty of cuddles and closeness to help him give up breastfeeds, especially if you are trying to do it quickly.
Weaning
babies less than 6-8 months
- If you need to wean your baby from the breast under 12 months old, you will need to feed your baby infant formula. For information about bottle feeding babies, have a look at the Bottle feeding topics on this site (Some are listed in the ‘Related topics’ section of this page).
- Replace one breastfeed a day with a bottle to start with, then two, some hours apart, and gradually increase the number of bottle feeds as your breasts settle down. Some mothers do this over a couple of weeks or more, while sometimes it happens more quickly.
- Wear a well-fitting bra, and watch for lumps in your breasts. (See 'Overfull Breasts', below).
- Offering a dummy for extra sucking if you wish may help. However, remember if a dummy is introduced you may not be able to stop this until 2-3 years of age.
- If your baby won't take a bottle from you,
- get someone else to try,
- or offer the bottle when the baby is sleepy,
- or try a cup with a spout or a small open cup instead.
Weaning babies over 6-8 months
As your older baby becomes used to other foods and ways of eating, you can offer formula in a cup (as at this age your baby can manage drinking from a cup) or cows milk if your baby is over 12 months old. If you do not use a cup you will need to introduce a bottle.
- Start by not offering the breastfeed that your baby is less interested in. Usually the first feed in the morning or the last at night is the last breastfeed to go.
- Cut back breastfeeds by one every few days or one a week.
- You could continue to offer one breastfeed a day for several weeks or express once a day for this time.
- As you gradually reduce breastfeeds you can offer more cup feeds.
- This process can take anything from a few weeks to 6 months or more; whatever suits you and your baby.
- You can successfully wean your older baby onto a cup and solid foods without having to have the extra work of making up bottles.
Overfull breasts
- Breasts can sometimes become very tight, hard and uncomfortable (engorged) when weaning.
- Express enough milk to keep comfortable.
- It doesn't matter if it takes a little longer for your milk supply to cease; it's better for your breasts to do it slowly. You do not have to empty all of the milk from your breast, but an occasional full expression of both breasts may give a lot of relief.
- Wear a firm bra to give good support.
- Take paracetamol for discomfort if you need to.
- Cold packs or cabbage leaves may help your breasts feel more comfortable.
- To use cabbage leaves, wash them thoroughly, then chill them in the fridge first. Cut out the thick stem and cover your breasts with leaves, one or two to each breast inside your bra. Change the leaves when they become limp and warm.
- Watch for lumps in your breasts, and try to gently massage away any you find when you are expressing. A tender lump, perhaps with a little redness, may mean a blocked duct. It's worth trying to clear this as sometimes mastitis can develop. Put a hot pack or flannel on the breast before massaging and expressing, and a cold one after.
- A lumpy area that becomes very red and sore may mean you have mastitis, especially if you have a fever and feel unwell. As well as gently trying to clear lumps as above, you will need to see your doctor as antibiotics may be needed. (See the topic "Breastfeeding - sore breasts and nipples").
Sudden weaning
If you need to wean very suddenly, your breasts may become overfull and very uncomfortable after missing a couple of feeds.
- Offer alternate breastfeeds the first day and then stop feeds after the following day.
- The milk will dry up, but meanwhile you will need to express. Try to express enough milk to be comfortable about 3 times a day at first, then gradually express less often and remove less milk each time. The whole process may take a week or two.
- Wear a firm, supportive bra, and take paracetamol if you need it for discomfort. (Try the ideas above).
- Medication to dry up your milk is not usually necessary, and can have unpleasant side effects.
After weaning
- Leaking is common in the early stages of weaning, but it usually stops once your breasts settle down.
- Even when your breasts stop filling up and feel quite soft, some milk will still be present. You will notice you can still express some milk over the next weeks or even months.
- Breastmilk production will slow down and eventually stop.
- Your breasts were changed forever during your first pregnancy, so it is not the breastfeeding that alters your breast shape. It is unlikely they will return to their pre-pregnancy size and shape.
Resources
South Australia
Child and Youth Health Parent Helpline
- 24 hours per day, every day - 1300 364 100
Your local Child and Youth Health centre
- see Locations for more information.
Australian Breastfeeding Association
Helpline 1800 686 2 686 (1800 mum 2 mum) (24 hour service)
http://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/
General
Australian Breastfeeding Association
Helpline 1800 686 2 686 (1800 mum 2 mum) (24 hour service)
http://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/
Book
Children, Youth and Women's Health Service: "The Feeding Book (from breastfeeding to solids)". AUD$5.50 plus postage and handling.
Brodribb, W (2004) Breastfeeding Management, Australian Breastfeeding Association.
World Health Organisation, 'Global Strategy for Infant and Young Child Feeding'
http://www.who.int/nutrition/topics/global_strategy/en/index.html
The information on this site should not be used as an alternative to professional care. If you have a particular problem, see a doctor, or ring the Parent Helpline on 1300 364 100 (local call cost from anywhere in South Australia).
This topic may use 'he' and 'she' in turn - please change to suit your
child's sex.