How do I go about stopping breastfeeding?

Question

I'm planning on stopping breastfeeding my 15 month old daughter soon, but I don't know how to go about it. I don't know anything about it, so please forgive my innocence of the subject. Does it hurt? Am I likely to get overly emotional about it? Or do you think that maybe I should just wait and see if she loses interest in breastfeeding?
I only feed her at night to get her sleepy, and then again if she wakes up during the night. Please don't give me lectures about her having created a dependancy on me to go to sleep, I know that this has happened.
I'm just after advice.
Thanks in advance :)

Answer 1

Hi Pam, I breastfed my two kids until they were about 17 months. I wanted to stop but felt so emotional about it. I couldn't stop thinking about it and I cried all the time. I loved having them in the bed and feeding them. My kids loved being fed so I felt guilty, but one day I decided, "tonight I am stopping feeding and that's it" It was hard as baby wants mummy's milk, but be strong and just do it. After about three nights they get the message that there is no more milk, and just keeping saying to babes, "sorry but there is no more milk from mummy now" and offer an alternative, (beaker with water)
You can wean them off gradually but either way your boobs get engorged and they hurt for a bit.
You will be sad, but once you have done it you kind of have a different relationship with your child, one that doesn't involve the dependence of the feed. It is a lovely change.
You could wait to see if baby stops, it is your body so it's up to you. I think they would feed for ever if they had the chance because it is so nice for them, but remember it is a habit they have been forming since birth and to stop it, you need to be firm.


Enjoy it and good luck.

Answer 2

I would start by only nursing her three times per day for 3-4 days. To replace the other feedings, I would give her a cup of cow's (whole) milk. Also, giving your child a cup of water some of the time is good as children do fill up on milk and sometimes will not eat food. Then, I would only breastfeed twice per day for 3-4 days. Then, I would drop to breastfeeding once per day for 3-4 days. I would cut the nighttime feedings last. I would avoid giving your 15 month old a bottle as this will be another weaning process to have to go through.

Answer 3

When I stopped breastfeeding my son I did it gradually. One night I would breastfeed, next night bottle feed. Eventually he did not prefer one over the other. This was the point that he became really attached to his blanket though. I think he may have traded one comfort for another, which might not be a bad way to approach it if you are concerned about her getting upset at night. Because I slowly stopped breastfeeding I never had any problems with my breasts becoming sore. As for the emotional part of it, I was a little sad about losing that closeness with my baby. I figured though that this was just his first step towards growing up and that I needed to start learning how to cope with that. :-)

Answer 4

since you don't do it all the time, i assume she has a bottle during the day. this should be very easy for you to do. try giving her a bottle when she goes to sleep at night, hold her while she's feeding on it that way she still feels the comfort of your arms. you can go on breast feeding her during the night because that will just be easier for you. just remember that your milk will dry up very fast if she doesn't wake up in the night that often. the only thing that might hurt is if your breast get engorged, and if you want to stop breast feeding completely do not pump. your body has to realize it needs to stop producing milk and this is a trigger for that. i'm not gonna lie to you this WILL hurt but hopefully it won't last very long. i think that every mother gets emotional when they stop breast feeding because this is a bond you and your child have created and you hate to see it end. but remember all endings are the beginning of something new and wonderful

Answer 5

Why are you stopping? I got emotional when my daughter stopped at 10 months, because I loved the bond and her dependency on me. Usually the easiest way to stop is when the baby loses interest, because they drink less and less each time and then your milk will slowly dry out with no pain or uncomfortableness for you. That is what happened to me. And by the way, I think there is nothing wrong with nursing her to get her sleepy. I did that and this type of dependency is good. :) People who don't breastfeed give their little ones bottles or juice before bed.

Answer 6

i finished with my daughter at 14 and a 1/2 months-I in easy words stopped as i changed into 1/2 way by ability of my second being pregnant and likewise she wasn't even feeding for lengthy in the course of the nighttime so i presumed i could give up so theres a lot less fuss once the toddler comes My second is now 17 months and im nonetheless breastfeeding him and we both like it. i incredibly do not want to give up despite the indisputable fact that it yet he will be ultimately turning 2 quickly so i plan on preventing by ability of round that aspect and then ill attempt to certain and provides you him some contained in the bottle or maybe with.

Answer 7

Don't listen to the people that say give a bottle. At 15 mos there is no reason she should be on a bottle. But please do it gradually. I don't have any experience on this because my children weaned on their own but if you do it quickly you risk getting engorged and getting an infection and your daughter doesn't know what's going on. Maybe try giving her a cup of breastmilk or regular milk when she wants to nurse and do that once a day, slowly up the amount. Hopefully that will help..good luck!

Answer 8

stop one feeding for the first week than 2 and so on night-time being the last to go.yes you may get a little emotional about your baby not needing you so much ,but you'll get over it

Answer 9

Only nurse when the baby goes for it. Don't offer or suggest nursing to your child. When she wakes up at night see if she'll setle herslf back to sleep, or if she needs you, comfort her without nursing. If you stop gradually you shouldn't have a problem with engorgement.

Answer 10

Give her a bottle with half breast milk and regular milk at first then gradually take the breast milk out. Try a sippie cup if she doesnt take the bottle and warm it up as usual. I did this and my breasts got rock hard, so I wrapped myself with gauze real tight until they went down.