As per WHO a mother should feed the baby for at-least 2,5 years of their age. But its a choice that every mother and baby makes and if a mother chooses to wean her baby then she must have all right tools up their sleeves.
One of the simplest methods, according to specialists, is to gradually reduce the frequency of nursing. Stopping abruptly might result in breast discomfort, engorgement, clogged ducts, and even mastitis, a severe infection of the breast tissue.
1. Wait for the right window:
You can wean at any time between 6 and 9 months and five years. However, it is strongly advised that you nurse your child for at least six months. You must ensure that the baby is not unwell and not going through any growth spurt, Choosing the right time to start the weaning process is very crucial for both the mother and the child.
2. Start at a slower pace:
Dropping a nursing session is a good place to start. Depending on your child's age, you can replace this session with water in a sipper , a glass of milk, or a little snack. You can drop another session once your youngster has adjusted. These are some tips that will help you:
Skip the feed: Instead of breastfeeding, check how your baby behaves when you give him water or a cup of milk. For children older than a year, you can also provide pumped breast milk, formula, or cow's milk as a weaning diet. Remember to wean yourself off of nursing gradually over a few weeks. This will give your child time to acclimate to the new situation. It will also benefit you because your milk production will gradually decrease without leaving your breasts engorged. Gradually increase weaning food as you reduce breast feeding.
Shorter Breastfeeding Session: Limit the amount of time you nurse your infant. Make it five minutes if your baby is nursing for 10 minutes. Weaning foods might be a healthy snack or formula, depending on the baby's age. Bedtime nursing, on the other hand, may be more difficult to cut short because it is frequently the last to leave.
Distract and Delay: If you only feed your baby a handful of times a day, try delaying breastfeeding. This strategy works effectively with older children who are able to think. If your child begs to nurse, reassure him that you will do so soon and divert his attention to something else. You could tell your youngster to wait until night instead of breastfeeding early in the evening.
Maintain that special bond: Breast milk is more than just a food source. Breast-feeding can also provide comfort to babies who are stressed or afraid. During nursing, many newborns fall asleep.
Comforting a newborn during weaning can be done in a variety of ways, including:
offering a pacifier diverting a baby who wants to nurse by playing, singing songs,
going for a stroll and rocking the baby
giving the infant a teething ring cooled in the freezer if the baby is teething
setting a new nighttime routine that aids in the baby's sleep
It can also help if the infant is comforted by another parent or caregiver. Infants who are being weaned may try to feed aggressively. Allowing someone else to console or feed the child will moreover encourage him to wean off.
3. Introduction to pump (if you haven't used it before): If you're pumping, make the interval between sessions longer and pump for a lesser period of time each time. This will assist your breasts in adjusting to the lower demand by generating less milk.
You can ease the soreness with a cold compress and improve the situation by wearing a supportive bra.
If your child is upset with the change of events, divert him while nursing by giving him toys or doing something else with him. You can give them additional cuddles in a warm blanket to make them feel better.
Consult a lactating specialist if you plan to stop breastfeeding abruptly. He or she may be able to prescribe medication to help with reduced supply.