You may find that your plans are harder to execute than you anticipated, your child has their own will, or that your body has issues you may not have been aware of before. If you are interested in breastfeeding, don’t get discouraged by difficulties. You can get assistance from a lactation consultant or speak to your doctor and see what can be done. If for any reason your breastfeeding experience is cut short, try to accept the situation. It may be different with your next child.

Some reasons that may lead to an early termination of your breastfeeding experience may include:

You may have plans to be nursing your baby for x number of months or years, but your baby has his own thoughts in the matter. Some babies wean themselves at some point, while others have a harder time. If your baby looses interest in the breast, he may be ready to wean himself. It may be harder for you to accept if you had your heart set to nurse for a while longer, but as long as your baby is happy and gets the nutrition he needs from other sources, there is no need to worry. You can continue to express (pump) your milk and bottle feed it to your baby if you wish.

Some women experience dry spells, especially when returning to work. When you stop breastfeeding on a regular basis your milk supply may decrease. Also the added stress in balancing your new lifestyle, leaving your baby for longer periods of time and other emotional factors as well as fatigue, all add up and may influence your milk supply.

If you are experiencing a dry spell but wish to continue breastfeeding, don’t give up! There are ways to help your body produce more milk such as fenugreek supplements, mother’s milk tea and more. Speak to a lactation consultant to see what will be best for you.

Some new moms find that a medical condition prevents them from breastfeeding or continuing to breastfeed. If you suffer from a chronicle condition that requires you to take medication that is not safe for your baby, you may have to stop breastfeeding.

Women who have had breast enlargement or reduction may experience difficulties breastfeeding as well. This depends on the type of surgery you had. Speak to your doctor or a lactation consultant about any questions or concerns you may have.

Remember, although breastfeeding is a great way to both provide your baby with good nutrition and bonding time, there are other ways and solutions. If you find that you cannot breastfeed, it is NOT the end of the world. Remember, you may have a different experience with you next pregnancy/child.

Even if you plan to breastfeeding for a while, you may be forced to stop for different reasons. Here are a few of those:

You may have plans to be nursing you baby for ‘x’ number of months or years, but your baby has his own thoughts in the matter. Some babies wean themselves at some point, while others have a harder time. If your baby loses interest in the breast, he may be ready to wean himself. It may be harder for you to accept this hint if you had your heart set to nurse for a while longer, but as long as your baby is happy and gets the nutrition he needs from other sources, there is no need to worry.

Some women experience dry spells, especially when returning to work. When you stop breastfeeding on a regular basis your milk supply may decrease. Also the added stress in balancing your new lifestyle, leaving your baby for longer periods of time and other emotional factors including fatigue, all add up and may influence your milk supply.

If you are experiencing a dry spell but wish to continue breastfeeding, don’t give up! There are ways to help your body produce more milk such as fenugreek supplements, mother’s milk tea and more. Speek to a lactation consultant to see what will be best for you.

If you have certain chronic illnesses, you may be required to return to taking medications you could not consume during your pregnancy. These medications may be harmful for your baby and you will be forced to stop breastfeeding. Speak to your doctor before resuming any medication while breastfeeding. There may be supplements to your medication, but not all medications have alternatives that will allow you to keep breastfeeding.

Mastitis is a nasty breast infection that can infect breastfeeding moms. When infected, you will have to cease breastfeeding during treatment, which may lead to weaning altogether even if it is not your intention.

It is important to remember, that no matter what happens, you have done your best and whether you breastfeed your baby for a couple of months or a couple of years, it will not affect your relationship with your child or dictate how good a mother you are. Don’t be hard on yourself and seek medical (or other) help when needed to assure the health of both yourself and your little one.

Think before you act. If you are ready to wean your baby, try to start gradually and replace breast feedings with the bottle or solids depending on your baby’s age and current diet. Once you are left with one or two breast feedings a day, you may be ready to stop all together.

Depending on your baby’s nature and attachment to the breast, it can be a tough transition for the both of you. You may find your baby having a harder time falling asleep as he has become accustomed to breastfeeding before bed, or it might take longer to calm him down as he has grown used to expecting the breast for comfort. You should expect to face a few challenging days, even weeks, before your baby will accept this change. Make sure to offer the bottle instead and do not be discouraged if he refuses to take it. With time he will change his ways.

While your baby adapts to the changes, your body will take a little while to adjust as well. It usually takes about two weeks for your breast milk to dry out completely, and it can be quit painful for a while. Your milk production will continue in the beginning, not knowing about your decision to stop breastfeeding.

To relieve the pain and get you through this phase, here are some suggestions: wear a sports bra that is one or two sizes smaller, cold cabbage leaves in your bra will both help stop milk production and relieve the pain, you can also take Motrin if the pain is overwhelming. Do not stimulate your breasts- shower with your back to the water stream and try not to get any water on your breasts. Avoid anyone touching your breasts as they are sensitive during this phase. Lastly, do not pump, unless you want to keep your milk supply running. And stick to your decision.

If you break the weaning mid-process, it will be that much harder to wean your baby the second time around.  So before you wean, make sure you are ready for it!

You may also like:

• Are You Ready to Wean Your Baby?
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• Your Boobies, my boobies

It is really up to you to decide when is a good time to quit ‘the boob’, or when you have just had enough (which is a normal  – do not beat yourself up. You have given your baby a lot already just giving him colostrum). There is no right or wrong (or magic) age for weaning, so go with your gut feeling. Of course you want to make sure your baby has supplements (formula or solids, depending on both age and weather he has teethes). You can try those before or during the time you choose to wean your baby.

It is recommended to wean gradually, and not just stop breastfeeding altogether one day. The later way will certainly be more painful for the both of you. It can potentially be traumatic for your baby, and you will be facing engorgement and may risk getting mastitis (a breast infection). Instead, start by skipping a feeding, and replace it with formula or solids. This way your body will learn to gradually produce less milk.

Don’t be discouraged if your baby denies other foods, but try other options. For example, if your baby refuses formula, try warming it up a bit. Breast milk is at body temperature, formula refusal may be due to too many changes (both in taste, smell and temperature).

Some babies wean themselves when they are ready (even if you may not be), which saves you from having to do it for them. But if you are ready before your baby is, start slowly and together you will reach the goal!

You may also like:

• Weaning – It Is Your Choice
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