How to end breastfeeding? For many mothers, this problem becomes the number one issue. It is more correct to apply in this case the concepts of “refusal” (independent completion of breastfeeding by the child) and “excommunication” (the initiative to finish breastfeeding comes from the mother). In both cases there are objective and subjective reasons.
How much can you give breasts?
If you refer to the World Health Organization, then, in her opinion, a reasonable period of breastfeeding is until the baby is two years old. This is explained by the fact that, in the mother’s breast milk , when the baby is in the second year of life, it contains antibodies that prevent most diseases, which the baby is undoubtedly susceptible to, and enzymes that make it easier for the baby to digest adult food in the future. And this is not to mention the minerals and vitamins that enter the children's body in an easily digestible form.
How to End Breastfeeding
To begin with, it is worth deciding at what age you are going to do this, since it is psychologically necessary for the baby to prepare for this stage:
- Age up to six months. You will need donor milk or an adapted milk mixture and a dummy. The thing is that the sucking in a child is very pronounced, and it acts soothingly.
- Age from six to nine months. Until now, adapted milk formula or mother's milk remains a priority, however, it will be easier to accustom a child to adult food. To do this, it should be introduced in very small portions solely as a guide, and not as a substitute for the main food. The dummy remains in the "diet".
- Age from nine to twelve months. Adult foods before mother's milk should be increased. At the same time, it’s time to give a spoon or a cup instead of the bottle he so loved. However, be sure to follow the behavior of the child: if you feel that adaptation is still proceeding at a very slow pace, it is better to refuse such significant complementary foods and continue to feed with the natural method - mother’s milk.
- Age from a year and a half years. This is the time of the complete transition of the child to adult food, but with a pronounced preservation of the sucking reflex, he may need a dummy.
At a later age, the breast for a child is no longer a way to fill his stomach, but a kind of bridge between him and his mother.
Practical tips
So, you have decided on this step, and now it remains for you to learn how to end breastfeeding in practice.
The golden rule before action: take your time! In no case can this be done, otherwise the mental health of the child will suffer. As a rule, excommunication may require a period of several weeks to several months - all individually. The whole process comes down to observing the behavior of the baby. As soon as you “caught” the time in which the baby does not need almost any breasts - remove the feeding and replace it with a walk, a game or something else similar. Distract essentially. As soon as this cleaned moment of feeding becomes the norm, again follow the baby and cancel another application. And with such small steps you will reach the final result.
I want to believe that now the question of how to end breastfeeding will not be a dead end for you.