WRITTEN BY
Christy Jo Hendricks, IBCLC, RLC, CLE, CCCE, Doula
Christy Jo Hendricks, IBCLC, is an international speaker, health educator, inventor, and author with over two decades of experience supporting families across hospital, public health, WIC, community, and private practice settings. She is the creator of a state-recognized IBCLC Prep Course and founder of Lactation University. These programs have successfully prepared hundreds of lactation professionals. Christy Jo is a recipient of multiple national and professional awards. She currently serves families and mentors future IBCLCs in Southern California.
Weaning Schedule is up to You and Your Baby
Questions surrounding weaning begin circulating as soon as people find out you are breastfeeding. These inappropriate invasions of privacy may get you questioning your goals or thinking that there is a designated time to wean. The only one who can decide the best time to stop nursing is you. Only you understand your situation, your baby, and what is best for your family.
Ideal Breastfeeding Duration and Benefits
If you are looking for the most evidence-based, up-to-date information, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding 2 years or longer as mutually desired and the World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding up to 2 years and beyond. This advice stems from the studies on health benefits of full-term breastfeeding. Risk reduction is often dose-dependent. Some risks are lowered with any amount of breastfeeding, and some require a longer breastfeeding duration to receive the full benefits.
Reported ranges show a risk reduction of obesity (24%), gastroenteritis (64%), and Type 2 diabetes mellitus (40%) with any amount of breastfeeding. If you continue breastfeeding for 1-2 months, you reduce the chances of SIDS (36% for more than one month of breastfeeding and 50% with more than two months). Continuing to breastfeed for 3-4 months results in more risk reductions, including: ear infections (50%), asthma (40%) and respiratory tract disease (72%).
There is no specific time you should feel pressure to stop breastfeeding. Even with complementary foods, breastmilk provides 29-40% of the energy, 43% of the protein, 36% of the calcium and most of the vitamins a child needs after the first year. The benefits of breastmilk do not expire.
If you have decided that it is time for your breastfeeding journey to come to an end, there are some gentle ways to support a natural weaning progress. Natural weaning helps your baby emotionally and helps you avoid engorgement and discomfort.
Weaning Before Age 1
If the baby is a year old or younger, try to vary your routine. If your baby usually nurses to sleep, play with your baby and distract him until he falls asleep on his own. Do not wear clothing that is easily accessible. Babies get good at accessing their milk and if you are wearing a high-necked shirt or turtleneck, it makes it more challenging. During the early stages, practice the “don’t offer, don’t refuse” method. If your baby wants to nurse, allow the nourishment, but don’t purposely entice your baby to nurse.
Weaning the Older Child
The older child can be reasoned with. You can explain that milk is available at special times and you can set boundaries. Some moms find nap time and nighttime nursing stays intact and other sessions cease. After this schedule is honored for a week or so, nursing can be reduced to once a day and then disappear altogether. You can also purchase a toddler cup and provide breastmilk in the cup. Some toddlers like to decorate the cup with stickers to make it extra special.
Maintaining Your Bond After Weaning
The decision to stop breastfeeding can be a mutual agreement between you and your baby and although the feeding at the breast may end, the bond will last a lifetime.
