Breastfeeding Questions - Stopping Breastfeeding
I am currently breastfeeding my 13 month old baby. Yeah, I know that is very long. However, I have tried to make her stop breastfeeding since I am losing too much weight, but I am having difficulties. Any advice?
Congratulations on breastfeeding for so long. Your little girl will really benefit from such a wonderful start to her life.
My own baby is the same age and he is also still breastfed!
I breastfed my last two children until they were about fifteen months old and found that the best way to wean was to very gradually cut out feeds. Try cutting out a feed that she may not miss too much to start with, perhaps in the middle of the day.
After a few days, try losing another feed and so on until you have completely stopped breastfeeding. I found the night-time feeds most difficult to stop as they were part of the bedtime routine.
You may need to work around this by introducing a new routine. Try giving a bowl of cereal and a drink of milk or water from a beaker instead of a breastfeed at bed-time. A bed-time bath can work wonders as can a little night-light and some bed-time music!
Try not to rush things. Make it gradual so that your little girl hardly realises what is happening. Distracting her when she wants a breastfeed can sometimes work!
The World Health Organisation recommends breastfeeding for at least two years and in many parts of the world babies are breastfed for much longer! So try not to feel you have to give up because she is 13 months old. Do it only when you are both ready.
Try to eat more often and bigger portions if you feel the weight loss is related to your breastfeeding.
But, do speak to your GP if you are very concerned about your weight loss.
Good Luck and I hope this helps you in some way.
Let me know!
Sinead
