when and how to stop breastfeeding
Welcome to the only page on the internet (as far as we are aware) that will give you the facts on stopping breastfeeding without the guilt! The decision of when to stop breastfeeding – or wean - is a uniquely personal one and there is no right or wrong answer. It would be churlish not to point out that often mums stop feeding before they are ready, and factors that play into this are related to the individual, the environment, and our society. But only you and your baby should decide when you want to stop.
It is also important to note that some women are advised to stop feeding for medical reasons. This page is not about stopping breastfeeding for medical reasons and is more about stopping when you decide to. Medical cessation is complex and person centred. If you have any questions about stopping for medical reasons, then please get in touch.
Firstly, breast milk or formula milk provides the main nutritional input for the first 12 months of life. Whilst solids are introduced around 6 months, they don’t substitute milk, and indeed, most babies won’t take to 3 square meals a day until they’re a little older. So, if you are dropping breastfeeds and your baby is less than a year old, you need to up the bottle feeds. We recommend that you do this gradually as this is the best way to avoid engorgement, blocked ducts and mastitis.
Some babies take to the bottle straight away, others will point blank refuse.
Reducing Regime
There is no right way to stop, and frankly your baby is in charge. So, while we can make some suggestions, it is likely you will find your own unique way. The most common regime is to take out one feed at a time and replace it with a formula feed. Most mums will start with a day time feed but you can choose any feed you want to drop. If you have an unwitting eager partner, handing over responsibility for the 3am feed could be sweet!
Ideally, you should leave about three days between dropping a feed to allow your body to regulate. Once you've dropped one feed then you can drop another.
‘What happens if my baby drops a breastfeed but they don’t pick up a bottle feed?’ we hear you cry (and probably hear you cry). Unfortunately, if this happens you are officially in Bottle Refusal Hell. This struggle is real. Trust us, we’ve been there, done that and got the hellfire scorched t-shirt to prove it.
Luckily, there are some things you can do that may help:
Get advice from your health visitor or lactation consultant. They will be able to give you support and point you in the right direction if needed.
Try different bottles. If your baby has refused one bottle, try another. Get advice what bottles have worked for others; teats matter! If they really are hating the bottle then, depending on their age and head control, you could try a cup or spoon feeding.
Try different temperatures. Some babies like warm milk (never heat over body temperature), some like cooler milk, and some like cold milk.
Try different milks. If they are over 12 months then you can mix it up with cow’s milk, oat milk, any milk! Under 12 months you are restricted to infant formula milk, but different brands will taste differently. The ready made taste different to the powdered. A babies taste buds develop around 6 months, so they might start to show preference around then. If you are a pumping mum, try mixing breastmilk with formula milk in decreasing volumes until they are eventually on a full formula feed.
Try different times. Try when they are hungry, try when they are full, try when they are sleepy and when they are wide awake.
Try different people. It might be sending your baby crazy to smell you and not be given the boob. So get partners, grandparents, friends - anyone who is willing - involved in offering a bottle. Make sure you leave the room. Not only may it help your baby to settle, but it will be much less stressful for you too.
Try different environments and positions. Some babies like to be still, others to be rocked. Some like noise and familiarity, others like quiet, unstimulating environments.
Mix formula into EVERYTHING. If they are already on solids mix formula with food. It will become really sloppy and disgusting looking, but it will allow them to get used to the taste. Mix it with breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks.
Things you have tried once before, revisit them.
Finally, and most importantly, try and relax. This is going to be the hardest one of all to do. It can be a very stressful time when you want to stop breastfeeding but don’t panic, they will eat when they want to. As long as they are hydrated (producing wet and dirty nappies) and getting plenty of cuddles they will be fine and, trust us, you will be too.