 Dr.
Jane Morton,
Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at Stanford University School
of Medicine, is an expert on nursing premature infants as well
as a
member of the Breastfeeding.com medical advisory board. Dr.
Morton has answered many of your breastfeeding questions.
Dr. Morton works one-on-one with new mothers at the
Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford University,
teaching moms how to breastfeed successfully. In 1997, Focus
Magazine named Dr. Morton one of the "Best Doctors in the
Bay Area," and she was again selected by her peers as one
of "Silicon Valley's Best Physicians" as reported in
The Sane Jose Magazine in 1999.
 Is 3 1/2 months too early to
stop breastfeeding?
| NAME: |
Carol |
| BABY'S NAME: |
Jenna |
| BABY'S AGE: |
3 1/2 months |
|
BIRTH WEIGHT: |
6 lbs 14.5 oz |
|
CURRENT WEIGHT: |
about 12.5 lbs |
Is
3 1/2 months too early to stop breastfeeding my baby. I wonder
if nursing her is going to make any difference if I quit now.
Dear
Carol,
From a strictly medical point-of-view, the younger the baby the
more important it is for he or she to receive breastmilk. For
the premature, the benefits of breastmilk may be even more
important than to the term baby. The more immature the baby, the
greater the need for the protective features of breastmilk. The
American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that for ideal
nutrition, the baby be exclusively breastfed for the first six
month, and that nursing continue after the introduction of
solids up until at least six months.
The ideal age to wean a child is a commonly asked question.
Although I consider myself a strong advocate of breastfeeding, I
also feel strongly that, even more important than breastfeeding,
is having a mother feel privileged and thrilled to take care of
her baby. For some mothers, breastfeeding is not as emotionally
rewarding. Frequently, it is difficult for these mothers to feel
comfortable expressing their feelings about the without feeling
somewhat guilty. In my own practice, I want my mothers to be
able to open their photograph album, look at the pictures of
their little one, and be able to feel in their heart of hearts,
"Oh wasn't that fun… wasn't it such a lovely
experience for me to take care of my baby at that age."
If
breastfeeding interferes with that feeling, I think it is a
shame.
I don't know why you are considering weaning your baby at this
age. If it is for work reasons, I think it is not difficult
finding time to express milk to leave for your child. I also
know that for the working mother, breastfeeding before you leave
for work and as soon as you come home can be a wonderful,
intimate, and relaxing beginning and end of your workday. So, I
would encourage you to at least try this if you are considering
weaning only because of work.
Ideally, weaning is a mutual decision between mother and baby,
and most women find their children are quite different. One
seems to enjoy nursing for a longer time than another. If
weaning is a unilateral decision, ideally it is the baby's
decision. In a situation in which the mother unilaterally
decides to wean, hopefully she can feel positive about her
wonderful contribution to her baby, knowing that she did the
best she could.
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outcome of any services and/or advice you are given.
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person or entity for any loss or damage caused, or alleged to be have
been caused, directly or indirectly by the information or ideas
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