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Weaning from Breastfeeding

26 November 2024

Sooner or later, your baby will eventually wean from breastfeeding. The recommendation is to breastfeed exclusively up to six months of age, and then include supplementary food while continuing to nurse up to the age of two. Some mothers find this ideal while others breastfeed for longer periods of time.

There are several forms of weaning:

  • Natural weaning: natural weaning is the best way for ending breastfeeding for both baby and you, from a physical and emotional standpoint.
  • Planned weaning: weaning where you decide to end breastfeeding. The number of breastfeeding sessions should gradually be reduced. Distract the toddler with other food and reach out for support from the environment and family.
  • Sudden weaning: sudden weaning is not recommended, particularly due to possible engorgement, blocking of the milk duct and breast inflammation. If you are forced to wean due to a medical condition, it is important that you prepare and obtain professional advice.

At the end of the breastfeeding period, you may experience temporary changes to the shape and look of the breasts. Breasts may be more tender to the touch, smaller and thinner. They will gradually resume their regular size and firmness with each menstrual cycle, within several months or a couple of years.

The Ministry of Health recommends exclusive breastfeeding up to six months of age, followed by the addition of supplementary foods with continued breastfeeding up to two years of age. Some mothers find this ideal while others breastfeed for longer periods of time. Either way, whether you or your baby decides to wean, at some point, the breastfeeding period will end, which will have physical and emotional effects.

Natural weaning, when led by the baby, is the recommended and optimal form of weaning. Although in many cases, weaning from breastfeeding will be initiated by the nursing mother, of her own free will or because she was forced due to illness or hospitalization that forces sudden weaning. In any case, it is important that you know that any decision you make is legitimate, and the nursing staff in the Family Health Center will help you with any question or request for assistance.

Principles of naturally drying out milk

  • Express milk by pumping or extracting, solely for alleviation and not for the production of milk.
  • Warm compresses on the breast before expressing milk followed by cold compresses.
  • Wear a comfortable supporting bra.
  • Gradually reduce the duration and frequency of milk expression until there is no more need. Production will gradually stop.

Remember that the process is individual. You should not try to compare your process with the weaning process of another mother or with other children.

Possible types of weaning

Natural weaning from breastfeeding is the best method for infants and toddlers, as well as for you, from a physical and emotional standpoint. This option can be chosen at any stage of breastfeeding, from the first days following childbirth to established breastfeeding. During natural weaning, the toddler will gradually reduce the frequency of breastfeeding sessions until they stop asked to breastfeed on their own. Because breastfeeding works according to supply and demand, the less breastfeeding you offer, the less milk is produced until production completely stops.

If you decide to wean your baby from breastfeeding, you should adopt the following guidelines:

  • Gradually reduce the number of breastfeeding sessions: one session less every several days (or weeks).
  • Distract the baby with other food by offering experiential activity at times when they would normally be breastfeeding.
  • Request assistance from your partner, environment and family in feeding other meals and in distracting the baby.
  • Pay attention to yourself – some women experience depression and irritability when they stop breastfeeding. The support of a partner during the weaning process is no less important than caring for the baby being weaned from breastfeeding.

Sudden weaning is not recommended, particularly because due to possible resulting engorgement, blocked milk ducts, breast inflammation and abscesses (progression of breast inflammation). In addition, sudden hormonal changes may trigger sadness or depression that resembles postpartum depression.

If you were forced to stop breastfeeding for reasons beyond your control (generally due to health, such as before a medical procedure that you may undergo, even if only for several days), it is extremely important that you prepare yourself to the extent possible. You may receive a recommendation to use special medication to dry out milk. It is important that you know that medication has less of an effect on a person who has been breastfeeding for a protracted period of time. In addition, if you use a medication and regret it – it will be more difficult to restart breastfeeding, but it is possible with professional guidance.

Do you need professional advice from a lactation consultant or do you need to speak to a nurse from the Family Health Center? Call Kol Habriut at *5400.

You may occasionally wean from breastfeeding too early before you or your baby is ready. This may occur, for example, due to misconceptions that may affect you that come from your immediate or distant environment. This is unfortunate since if you want and are prepared to breastfeed, this is the best thing you can do for your child. Babies change, grow and become stronger. Even if some behavior appears unusual to you, such as that which may occur during growth spurts – they are no reason to stop breastfeeding, or if they are showing no sign of disinterest in breastfeeding.

Possible changes in your body once you stop breastfeeding

At the end of the breastfeeding period, you may experience temporary changes to the shape and look of the breasts. Breasts may be more tender to the touch, smaller and thinner. They will gradually resume their regular size and firmness with each menstrual cycle, within several months or a couple of years. Slightly salty milk may be secreted, particularly when the breasts are stimulated, for several months and up to one year after the end of the weaning processes, something that is completely natural and normal.

Examples of situations that do not justify weaning from breastfeeding

  • A baby that is crying a great deal or more than usual may simply be a growth spurt. Read about possible challenges in breastfeeding
  • The baby is biting. If the baby’s teeth have already come in, the baby may occasionally bite you. In this situation, carefully remove the nipple, explain in a pleasant voice that they should not bite the nipple and after several minutes, try to breastfeed once again. If they are hungry, they will breastfeed without biting. If they bite, they are not apparently hungry at the moment.
  • Night feeds are not simple. It demands remaining awake at night, and may cause fatigue and exhaustion during the day. Despite the fatigue, try to continue breastfeeding. If you are experiencing extreme difficulties, you can pump milk and share the night feeds with your partner.
  • Around the age of six months, the milk teeth begin growing in infants. This does not necessarily mean that they are ready for supplementary food and definitely not for weaning from breastfeeding. The Ministry of Health recommendation is to exclusively breastfeed up to six months of age, and then add supplementary food in combination with breastfeeding, until the age of two.
  • Environmental pressure, whether from family, friends or culture, may affect your decision. Try to do only what is good for you and your baby.
  • Back to work – you can continue to breastfeed even after returning to work. To read and for more information about
  • Back to work – you can continue to breastfeed even after returning to work. More information about breastfeeding and returning to work

Most situations mentioned are completely normal and can be made easier with training, support and tools. You should not rush to wean from breastfeeding.

Counseling, training and additional information can be received from the Family Health Center nurses and at Kol Habriut call center at *5400, Extension 9.

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