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Babies can be breastfed from birth up to two years and beyond. But there are many personal reasons why parents choose to stop breastfeeding at any stage.
We know that choosing to stop breastfeeding isn't always easy and the process can be very emotional. So, we've gathered some tips and information to support you when you decide the time is right to transition way from breastfeeding.
Breast milk has great benefits for babies. Both the WHO and UNICEF encourage breastfeeding on demand for the first six months, and in Australia, the National Health and Medical Research Council recommends exclusive breastfeeding for around six months until solid foods are introduced. They also advise that if possible, breastfeeding should continue alongside solid foods till 12 months and beyond.Â
Some babies decide when they're ready and will naturally start decreasing the number of feeds they have when they start weaning. The truth is, the decision to wean off breastfeeding is a very personal one and no two parent's experiences are the same.
When and however you approach moving away from breastfeeds, it's best to take the process slowly so that your baby has time to get used to the change in their diet and routine, and so that your breast milk supply can reduce gradually.
Even though the benefits of breastfeeding are widely known, and the World Health Organization recommends that you only give your baby breast milk for the first six months, you can choose to stop breastfeeding at any time.
You shouldn't compare yourself to others, and instead, do what's best for you and your baby. Breastfeeding parents choose to stop for several reasons. For example, they may be:
If you're unsure whether you need to or should stop breastfeeding, don't hesitate to ask a healthcare professional for further advice and support.
Whenever you choose to stop breastfeeding, it's so important to remember that you've given your baby a great start in life. No matter how you're feeling about the process, remember to share your thoughts and emotions with others - you're not alone!
When the time comes for you to wean your baby off breastfeeding, there's no right or wrong way to do so. However, lots of parents find that stopping breastfeeding happens gradually as their little one grows and begins to eat solid or pureed foods.
It's important to note that guidelines state that milk feeds shouldn't completely stop once they're eating solids.
If you and your baby have decided it's time to wean and your little one is younger than 12 months old:
If you and your baby have decided it's time to wean and your little one is 12 months or older:
From the age of six months, little ones can drink sips of water alongside their meals.
The timeline for stopping breastfeeding and drying up your breast milk isn't a set one and can take anywhere between a few weeks to months - the journey is different for everyone. Overall, the best advice is to tackle the transition gradually and be patient with yourself, your baby, and your body.
Natasha said that "with [her] second child, [she] solely breastfed for about six months and then started to try and give her formula after that, which she refused. Ending breastfeeding with her was really hard - [she] had to wait until she was about a year for her to take on formula milk".
And Gianni told us that weaning her daughter "from breastfeeding was actually pretty hard. [She] cut down daytime feeds, but [her little girl] just would not let go of her night feeds for about two months. [She] had to take a step back and let [her baby] take the lead. Once she was ready, she took to drinking from a cup very easily".
By the age of 12 months, most little ones get enough nutrition for their growth and development from their meals through the day, and some parents choose to gradually phase out night-time feeds as a starting point when it comes to stopping breastfeeding.
Some babies find breastfeeding at night comforting and according to La Leche League, most evidence suggests that night-weaning is best left until after baby is around 18 months - and it may be easier to cut down on feeds at this age.
If your little one still wants to feed during the night for comfort, but you'd like to move away from directly breastfeeding, you could try using a bottle to give them expressed breast milk or formula.
If you're looking for support to continue your breastfeeding journey, you can reach out to a lactation consultant or a breastfeeding support group. Other parents are also a great place to turn for help and advice. If you're experiencing problems when trying to stop breastfeeding, you should seek advice and support from your health visitor or a breastfeeding specialist.
As a general rule, the longer you've breastfed, the longer it will take for your breast milk supply to dry up. If you don't pump or breastfeed, your body should stop producing milk gradually over time, but it won't happen straight away.
You may decide to wait and let your breast milk supply dry up naturally. Alternatively, you may consider certain medications that can speed up the process. Parents who experience the loss of a baby often want to stop producing milk as soon as possible.
Birth control medication and decongestants can sometimes help speed up the process of drying up your breast milk supply, but every situation is unique. You should discuss the process and your options with a lactation counsellor or your health care provider before you choose a route that's right for you.
These additional tips can also help stop breast milk production:
Some people experience discomfort and fluctuating emotions during the weaning process. These tips can help provide relief:
Yes, you can. Stopping breastfeeding doesn't have to be permanent. But starting again can take time and does depend on how well-established your milk supply is. Not everyone will be able to go back to producing enough breast milk to meet their baby's needs.
These tips can help you restart breast milk production:
You should reach out to your midwife, health visitor or a breastfeeding specialist for help if you'd like to start breastfeeding your baby again.
It's best to stop breastfeeding gradually. Not only does this give baby time to get used to the changes to their routine and diet, but it can also be beneficial for your body.
If you stop breastfeeding too quickly, you may encounter side effects like clogged milk ducts, engorgement and an infection called mastitis. To avoid these uncomfortable conditions, it's best to wean your baby off breastfeeding gradually and seek medical advice to help you choose the best way for you.
Hormonal changes and the fact that breastfeeding can burn up to an extra 500 calories a day sometimes mean that some mums lose weight while breastfeeding, and these factors can also mean that some people put on weight when they stop breastfeeding. However, this isn't a guarantee, everyone's different and some women actually lose weight after stopping, the most important thing is that you maintain a healthy diet and stay active.
Weaning off breastfeeding is emotional for everyone involved. Here are some tips to help your mini-me cope with the transition: