Engorged breasts weaning how long

Breastfeeding can make life easier if you are coping with illness. If you suddenly stop nursing your baby, your body continues to produce milk. A good way of slowing milk production gradually is to pump or hand express just enough milk at regular intervals to avoid discomfort.

In this way milk production will slowly decrease. It also makes it more comfortable to hold, carry and cuddle your baby if you need to distract him from nursing. The younger your baby is, the more care you will need to take to reduce your milk slowly and gradually.

Aim to produce a comfortable fullness in your breasts by expressing less often than your baby was nursing. This fullness will then help slow your milk production. You might need to express at night too to start with. As well as cutting out a whole expressing session every two or three days, you can also reduce the time at each session. Expressing less milk each time will also help limit how much milk you produce.

Hand express or gently pump enough milk to make your breasts comfortable. Make sure you drain milk from each part of the breast. A sore lump might indicate a blocked duct or the beginnings of mastitis. If this happens, try massaging the lumps or expressing a small amount of milk. This might reduce the lumpiness.

If your baby is older than six months and developing well, you might decide to try night weaning while still breastfeeding during the day. You can choose what works best for you and your baby.

If any of these 3 things are not true for you, breastfeeding might give you less protection from getting pregnant. It's a good idea to consider other forms of contraception. Make sure the food is smooth and runny. Avoid adding salt or sugar. To check for adverse reactions, introduce one food at a time. Keep offering that same food for 2 or 3 days before introducing another.

Start with approximately half a teaspoon. Gradually increase the amount over days or weeks, allowing your baby to set the pace. Never force your baby to eat. Foods to choose when weaning your baby Suggestions for foods to start your baby on include: 5 to 6 months of age — the food needs to be smooth in texture.

Appropriate solids include iron-fortified baby rice cereal mixed with breastmilk or formula, and finely mashed fruits and vegetables such as banana, pear, apple, pumpkin, potato, avocado and carrot. Begin with half a teaspoon and gradually increase to 2—3 tablespoons, using a soft teaspoon for feeding.

Start widening the variety of their meals by including foods such as well-cooked meat, chicken, fish, rice, pasta and cheese. Offer your baby solid food before his or her breast or formula feed. Allow your child to feed themselves. Foods that encourage biting and chewing include finger sandwiches, steamed vegetable sticks and strips of well-cooked meat. After weaning , it is recommended that your child continue to have 3 or 4 milk drinks per day or a dairy equivalent. Engorged breasts Your breasts may become engorged during the weaning process.

It may help if you: express a little milk from each breast, either by hand or with a breast pump make sure your bra is supportive, well-fitting and comfortable apply cold packs or a frozen face washer to each breast check your breasts regularly for red and tender areas or lumps, as this can indicate inflammation or infection mastitis. Give feedback about this page. There are various ways to distract your child from the change in her feeding patterns. Some mums offer a drink and a snack instead, which you could share to bring a feeling of closeness.

You could also alter your daily routine, play a favourite game, or replace a feed with a cuddle from you or your partner. Some children will take longer than others to feel happy with the change, but things will get easier over time. Stopping breastfeeding naturally over time. If you choose to let your toddler decide when to stop breastfeeding known as baby-led weaning or natural-term breastfeeding , the weaning process is likely to be slow and gradual.

Over the months, her feeds will probably become shorter and less frequent, while some mums report their child simply losing interest one day. Then she seemed to forget when we were on holiday.

Six months on, she sometimes wants to latch on, but knows the milk is gone. You may find it tough emotionally, though, so make time for plenty of cuddles and bonding moments. It was the best scenario for us, although I was quite emotional. Some women find a breast pump easiest for this, while others prefer to do it by hand.

While your breasts may feel swollen and tender at first, they will adapt. Your breast milk contains something called feedback inhibitor of lactation FIL. When your baby stops breastfeeding, FIL tells your body to slow production, but it may take a few days or even weeks for your breasts to adjust. Taking paracetamol or ibuprofen can help to relieve any pain although ibuprofen has contraindications for those with asthma. I held her tightly against me for reassurance while giving her a bottle.

After a month, she seemed OK with it. This means you could conceive while still nursing your child.