As the baby grows up, a nursing mother has to solve issues related to the completion of breastfeeding. Even experts do not give unambiguous answers to them. In order for the weaning period to pass naturally and painlessly for the child, the mother must know whether her baby and herself are physiologically ready for this.
When to stop breastfeeding
Now more and more pediatricians are recommending physiological weaning, in which the process occurs naturally, without harming the health of the mother and child.
The timing of natural completion of breastfeeding is individual for each baby. Breastfeeding can only be finished when both the baby and the mother are ready for it.
Mom can judge the baby's readiness by the extinction of the sucking reflex. The child forgets to kiss the breast during the day when he is busy with games. After complementary feeding, the breast does not always require. The number of applications is reduced to 2-3 times a day.
The child no longer so badly needs the presence of the mother. He can even sometimes go to sleep without her.
These signs indicate that you can gradually end breastfeeding. This usually happens when the baby is 2-3 years old.
But age cannot be a guideline. If your baby does not calm down without sucking, often wakes up at night to kiss the breast, cannot fall asleep without sucking, then he is not yet ready for weaning.
You should not end breastfeeding if all baby teeth have not yet erupted in the baby, there are signs of malaise or manifestations of diathesis. In all these cases, the child's immunity is weakened. During this period, he, more than ever, needs protection, which is given by the enzymes of mother's milk.
The mother's readiness is evidenced by the natural decrease in lactation. The breast is no longer so full of milk. Breaks in feeding are easily tolerated, even if they are 12 hours or more. This indicates that the mother's body is ready to stop feeding.
How to end breastfeeding
If you decide it is time to stop feeding, make sure that it does not become stressful for the baby. There is no need to rush. It is important to do everything gradually, showing maximum care, patience and love.
To begin with, limit the number of feedings during the day. For example, give breasts only when you wake up and lay down.
As you get used to, gradually remove the morning attachments. It is easier for a child to distract from the desire to suck in the morning if the mother is not there when she wakes up. So train him to wake up on his own.
Go away on business more often so that the baby gets used to your absence and reacts calmly to it. When the baby learns to fall asleep without breast during the day, you can take the next step. Leave only night feedings, the baby's need for them is the last.
In order to complete the period of breastfeeding as carefully and comfortably as possible, wait until the last milk tooth erupts, the child will calmly fall asleep by himself and will not wake up at night.
