How to stop breastfeeding a child

After listening to the advice of pediatricians, psychologists and parents, a young mother is confused by the number of different tips. Some say that weaning the baby from the breastyou can at the age of 12 months, others - you have to wait until 2.5-3 years. It would seem that one should not interrupt the subtle psychological connection between mother and baby too early, but it is also not necessary to delay the onset of this moment.

Do not forget that the mother's body may also not be ready to excommunicate the baby from the breast. A woman should clearly understand what the lactation process is and at what stages it is divided.

Stage of formation (the colostrum). This period begins a few months before the birth of the child. Mammary glands begin to be prepared for milk production. Even after the birth of the baby for 2-3 months, the mother's body should be adjusted to the needs of the baby. During this period, periodic swelling of the breast and the appearance of painful sensations. This can scare mom, and she begins to translate the child into artificial mixtures.

Stage of mature lactation. At this stage, the work of the mammary glands is fully adapted to the needs of the child. There is no need to express milk or supplement the child with mixtures.

Stage of lactation involution. This stage begins in no way earlier than through1,5 years after childbirth. Most often this period occurs in the interval from 1.8 to 3.5 years. Milk, which stands out during this period, is very similar in composition to colostrum. It contains a large number of antibodies, hormones and immunoglobulin. It is during this period that you can stop breastfeeding your baby.

Breaking a baby from a breast during a mature lactation can not be, the immune system of the child during this period still does not function fully, and the baby depends entirely on the mother's milk. In addition, this process will also affect quite painfully on the mother's body.

The stage of involution can be determined by certain characteristics. During this period, the mother's body beginsto produce less milk, so the baby begins to suckle more actively, thus stimulating the work of the mammary glands. In addition, a woman after feeding a child may experience fatigue and drowsiness.

To determine if your body is ready to excommunicate the baby, leave the baby with relatives for a day. If during this time your breasts are not filled with milk before the appearance of painful sensations, you can begin to wean the baby from breast feeding.

So how to stop breastfeeding? For this you can use the old methods: spread the nipples with mustard or greens. Do not forget that every time a child instead of delicious milk will feel bitterness in his mouth, it will be a stressful situation for the baby.

You can start gradually wean the baby from the breast. Give him a mixture or plain milk. If the child refuses such a meal, try giving him a bottle of expressed breast milk. If the baby will cry and demand a breast, ask that one of the relatives feed him. Often this works. In extreme cases, you can skip one feeding, and the hungry child will eat from the bottle.

The most difficult thing is to stop breastfeeding at night. But this also must be stopped. The next time a child wakes up at night and begins to cry, he should be reassured by his father, not by his mother. Here it is necessary to show perseverance and not rush to the child to lull him.

Also it should be taken into account that it is not necessary to give up breastfeeding the child during the period of the baby's illness, or if he only recently recovered. It is not recommended to wean the baby from the breastearly spring or in the summer heat. During this period, the risk of catching a viral cold or intestinal infection increases. Also, the period of dentition is associated with the weakening of the immune system, so the child needs additional antibodies to fight the body with infections.