How to wean a baby off breast milk
Experts explain strategies to help mums ease the transition from breast milk to other food
According to the World Health Organisation, a baby should be on a diet comprising exclusively of breast milk for the first six months of his or her life. Thereafter, other – nutritious - foods should be introduced.
Giving water to young babies puts them at risk of diarrhoea and malnutrition. Water may not be clean and cause the baby to have infections. Giving water may also cause the baby to drink less breastmilk or to stop breastfeeding early and therefore cause malnutrition. If mothers give water instead of breastfeeding it will also cause the mother to have less milk in the future.
Source: World Health Organisation
The time of weaning – or de-latching a child from a breast – is a vulnerable one and requires gentle manoeuvring for the emotional health of both mother and baby. Malin Ghavami, Lead midwife/Head Nurse at baby and child healthcare provider Nightingale Dubai, says: “Plan to stop breastfeeding at a time when there are no major changes around you in life, if possible.”
Should my diet change if I want to stop breastfeeding?
No, says Ghavami. “You can eat and drink as usual when you stop breastfeeding. Reducing fluid intake does not affect the amount of milk, but can instead cause you to have a lack of fluids.”
“Milk production decreases as the baby sucks less and less. In the end, the baby usually gets tired of the breast and does not make an effort to grab the breast and start sucking.
“There are medicines that reduce milk production that can be used if necessary. They are prescribed by a doctor,” she adds.
How to wean a baby
Do it slowly, say the experts. “You can decrease one lactation session at a time/day, wait for a few more days before you can remove another breastfeeding session. Continue until the milk has decreased and you have no problems with your breasts. It is common for the breasts to become tense for a few days after breastfeeding has ended,” says Ghavami.
“For some, it works well that the person who breastfeeds sleeps without the baby for a few nights, and that a partner or other close relative sleeps with the baby. They can also feed the baby if necessary,” she adds.
Dr Anuradha Ajesh, Specialist – Paediatrics at Bareen International Hospital, offers the following steps:
- Start with add-ons. At six months of age, introduce complementary feeds alongside breast milk. After six months, the baby needs more nutrients, which the baby can’t get from breast milk alone. The weaning process continues until breast milk is fully replaced by other foods.
- Plan ahead and discuss it with the child. Explain to them that they are going to become a toddler from baby. Can use story books to explain the transition.
- Agree for a timeframe like by their next birthday. Remind them about the stop date when the occasion gets nearer.
- Pick the right time to wean. Don’t wean when a child is ill.
- Don’t offer, but don’t refuse. This will help to stop breastfeeding gradually over time.
- Replace breast milk with other milks (formula feeds if the child is less than one year of age and cow’s milk or similar if more than one year of age.)
How to handle a tantrum mid weaning process
No one likes change, least of all little babies. Be prepared for hiccups and tears and a few tantrums. But there are some things that you can do to ease the transition.
“Babies consider mums as their part and they nurse not only for food, but also for emotional comfort, sense of security and love. When child shows tantrum, ignore it and distract the child. He or she will slowly understand that tantrums will not work for breastfeeding. Give them a lot of attention and love. Slowly the child will understand, even if breastfeeding is stopped, mum will still love them like before,” suggests Dr Ajesh.
“Provide alternatives at the time of breastfeeding,” she adds. “Suggest some interesting activities at the time child used to breastfeed like going outside, offering some food the child likes, reading storybooks, etc.”
Tense painful breasts – how can I mum avoid these during the weaning process?
Ghavami offers a few tips for the mum. She says, “It is common for breasts to become tense when you reduce breastfeeding. Even tenser they can become if you need to finish abruptly. Here's what to do if your breasts hurt:
- Take a warm shower, lightly stroke your fingers over your breasts and let the milk drain out by itself.
- Dip the nipples and part of the areola in a bowl of warm water. The milk will flow out by itself. You may need to get the milk out of your breast a few times during the first phase if your breasts feel uncomfortably tense and filled. Just massage the milk out until the discomfort disappears, as otherwise it may continue to stimulate and produce more milk.
- Massage lightly over your breasts if you have difficulty getting the milk out. For example when you notice small lumps of milk in your breasts that are not dissolved by the warm water.
- You can take pain medications containing ibuprofen or paracetamol if you are in pain. Read more about medicines for pregnancy and lactation before you do.
- It is good to use a bra that is tightly attached for the first time, such as a sports bra. But don’t use a bra with underwire as the wires can press against the milk aisles and cause engorgement. This is especially true if you need to finish breastfeeding quickly.”
It usually gets easier within a week, she adds.
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