I have gotten a lot of calls lately about weaning. Is it that time of year? Most of them are from moms who are feeling pressure to wean because someone in their family (or worse; a doctor) has been critical of breastfeeding. This is despite the AAP's statement that "Breastfeeding should continue to at least a year and thereafter as long as mutually desired." The WHO recommends breastfeeding to at least two years. Why? Many of the health benefits are dose related. The longer (or more exclusively) you breastfeed, the greater the benefits. It is OK to respond to your baby. It is OK to respond to your infant. It is OK to keep nursing beyond.... (such and such a date.) But what if Mom wants to quit? Think gradual. Drop one nursing every 2-3 days. If you are feeling full, nurse or pump partially. Don't put yourself at risk for a breast infection. There are many different techniques that moms use when they are weaning. I like Diane Bengson's book, "How Weaning Happens" or Huggins and Ziedrich's book, "the Nursing Mother's Guide To Weaning." I you change your mind about weaning then pump or nurse more to increase your supply. If you have having any difficulties, an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) can help you. Find your closes IBCLC at www.ilc a.org. Weaning. It doesn't have to be an all or nothing thing. What about partially weaning? As soon as an infant has solids, they are already in the process of weaning. This usually happens around 6 months but can be later for some babies. If a baby is weaned before 1 year it is important to wean to formula. Society has many pressures that we put on moms to do things "right". Well, in breastfeeding... there usually isn't only one "right". My wish for all of you mom's out there is that you navigate this process, rejecting someone else's version of how breastfeeding ought to be, and find your own version of "right". When to wean? How to wean? You'll know it when you feel it. It will feel just right.

Tags: Weaning Older Infant Baby Breastfeeding Pressure Relactation

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