How do I stop breastfeeding??

Question

Someone please help....My daughter is almost 11 months and I still breast feed, I have no pump whatsoever. I really don't know how to go about doing so..I'm at work all day and the only time she does get to feed is during the nite. Also, if I'm only feeding a couple of feedings during the nite, shouldn't the milk dry up? I know when your getting ready to wean your breast become engorged...but I really need some advice.

Answer 1

Hi. My son is also 11 months and we're also weaning. This is my second son. With both my son's when I started weaning, I put the formula or milk in a sippy cup. I used the soft spout cups that Nuby makes. They both seemed to like those because the spout is soft like a bottle, but it is in the shape of a sippy cup. Later when I gave them "regular" sippy cups, they had no problem with the cups.
Here's what I did to wean my first son. I dropped 1 breastfeeding every 3 days and replaced it with formula or whole milk. (My doctor said it was fine to start him on whole milk at 11 months, but the books all say 12 months). I didn't feel overly full, but I did feel the "let down." I made sure I wore a supportive bra and nursing pads. And when I felt the tingly "let down" I just crossed my arms across my chest. With my first son, as soon as I got down to just 2 feedings, I started to "dry" up. I still offered him my breast, but he'd eat for shorter periods of time. As soon as I didn't feel full any more, I stopped offering the breast. I never really felt engorged like when your first milk comes in, because I weaned slowly. That's the process I'm in now with my second son, but he keeps asking for my breast by pulling at my shirt, so it's going a little slower. He does take formula out of a cup for one feeding though.

Answer 2

Hi there,
I had the same "problem" with my daughter. It was even a little more complicated because she won't drink milk from a bottle, a cup or whatever. It was hard because she wanted just to breastfeed. And doctors will tell you that milk is going to produce if she keeps sucking even if it is a little bit. The only way to stop milk production is to stop breastfeeding. Try to do it first one night yes and one night no. If someone help you on a weekend keeping your child away from you for that night, will be great. Pump your milk or extract your milk manually if your breasts gets unconfortable. Eventually the milk will dry out. I bet that for the next night you will have less. And so and so. But you really want to do it to success! Good luck!

Answer 3

As long as you are getting the stimulation to make milk, no, they won't dry up on their own. Some children only nurse a couple of times per day for a very long time.

Is there a particular reason you are considering weaning? If the two of you are happy with how things are now, there is no reason to wean just because she is approaching 12 mos. That's actually the minimum time the AAP recommends nursing.

The gentlest weaning method is "don't offer/don't refuse" and if you aren't working on some kind of set timeline, it could work well for you.

Distraction and substitution can work well also. "Head her off at the pass" with another suggestion or an offer of a snack/drink before she asks to nurse.

Changes in routine can work well too. If she nurses to sleep, let dad take over bedtime, for example.

If you wean slowly and gently, you will be less likely to experience engorgement.

The links below may be helpful.

Answer 4

The best thing you can do is talk to a lactating specialist. You have to completely stop for the milk to dry up. If you don’t want to spend money on a pump, and he is used to the bottle and the formula then just don’t allow him back on. If he is not used to the formula and the bottle I would get him used to it or a sippy cup that is leak proof, and get him used to it, before you take away the breast milk. Or you can spend about 20 bucks on a hand pump (tho not the best type of pump) and give him your milk via bottle.

Best of luck to you

Answer 5

Your milk will dry up when you stop nursing (if you pump, you will still have milk). You may get engorged, especially at night, when your nursing times are. But, ultimately, your body will dry up when it realizes there is no baby nursing. I nursed my 2 children until they were 15 mos. I never had a problem weaning... I just stopped nursing. If I was too uncomfortable, I would nurse and try quitting again the next day.:)

Answer 6

Normally you would start weaning her by substituting a bottle for the breast. At 11 months she should be drinking from a sippy cup and sleeping through the night and not waking for feedings. Be sure she is eating a well balanced diet.

You may need to have your husband comfort her back to sleep in the middle of the night without a bottle. Have a cup of water handy to quench her thirst.

peace

Answer 7

I run breastfeeding support groups, and will gladly walk you through it or answer any questions you have....the best way is to take them away slowly, one feeding at a time. There is no need to give her sugar water, a bottle is easier to take than the breast, and if you pump and give her the milk, she will accept it. You could bypass a bottle at 11 months and give her a sippy cup, soft spouted ones are easy to use, and a 'nuby' was my daughters favoite. A great hand held pump is Avent Isis...its not uncomfortable, its easy to assemble and clean, and it is one handed. Feel free to email me or im me with any questions, I'll respond asap.

Answer 8

Google le leche it is a web site to answer breastfeeding questions you can even call Representatives in your area. I would slowly substitute breast milk for a bottle of formula . no cows milk until 1 year. each 3/4 days substitute another breast bottle with a formula bottle. this way your breast reduce slowly and don't swell up and hurt, believe me it is really painful if that happen not to mention you leak uncontrollably.

Answer 9

Have the doctor give you some pills to dry them up or just stop breast feeding. The body will know it's over and stop producing milk. The problem is it will be painfull. The pills are the best choise.

Answer 10

Thats a tough one. You could try and switch her to formula, THEN wein her off the bottle/milk. My sister said that her son just refused the breast one day around 10 months. He decided it was time to quit. First definitely work on getting her to sleep through the night without any feedings.