Advice for young mothers: how to end breastfeeding

How to finish breastfeeding? For many mothers, this problem becomes a number one issue. It is more correct to apply in this case the concept of "refusal" (self-completion of taking the baby by the child) and "weaning" (the initiative to finish breastfeeding comes from the mother). In both cases, there are objective and subjective reasons.

How much breast can I give?

If to refer to the World Health Organization, then, in her opinion, a reasonable period of breastfeeding - up to the age of two years of the baby. Everything is explained by the fact that in breast milk of the mother, when the second year of the child's life is going on, antibodies are kept that prevent most of the diseases that the baby is undoubtedly exposed to and enzymes by which the baby will be easier to digest adult food in the future. And this is not speaking about mineral substances and vitamins, which enter the children's body in easily digestible form.

How to finish breastfeeding

To begin with it is necessary to be defined, at what age you are going to do it, since the child should be psychologically prepared for this stage:

- Age to six months. It will take donor milk or a milk adapted mixture and necessarily a pacifier. The thing is that sucking at the baby is expressed very strongly, and it acts soothingly.

- Age from six to nine months. Until now, a milk-adapted formula or mother's milk remains a priority, but it will be easier to accustom a child to adult food. To do this, it should be introduced in very small portions only as an introduction, and not as a substitute for basic nutrition. A dummy is still in the "ration".

- Age from nine to twelve months. Lure of adult food in front of the mother's milk should be increased. In this case, it is time to give a spoon or a cup instead of a bottle so beloved by it. However, be sure to follow the behavior of the child: if you feel that the adaptation is still very slow, it is better to refuse such a significant feeding and continue feeding by the natural method - milk of the mother.

- Age from a year to a year and a half. This time of full transition of the child to adult food, however, with the expressed preservation of the sucking reflex of the dummy, he may need.

At a later age, the breast for a child is no longer a way to fill up his stomach, but a bridge between him and his mother.

Practical tips

So, you decided on this step, and now you have to learn how to finish breastfeeding in practice.

The golden rule before the action: do not rush! In no case can this be done, otherwise the mental health of the child will suffer. Typically, for excommunication, you may need a period of several weeks and up to several months - all individually. The whole process is reduced to observing the behavior of the baby. Once you "caught" the time that the child does not need almost in the chest - remove the feeding and replace it with a walk, a game or something similar. In fact, distract. As soon as this removed feeding moment becomes the norm, again follow the baby and cancel one more application. And with such small steps you will reach the end result.

I want to believe that now the question of how to end breastfeeding will not become a dead end for you.