10 Reasons to Think Twice about Weaning
You and your child will know when it is time to wean from the breast. Here are ten circumstances that may not necessarily be a good reason to wean:
- A breastfeeding problem you haven’t solved. A mother in the midst of a breastfeeding crisis can genuinely feel as if the situation is hopeless. If you have yet to discuss your problem with your pediatrician or lactation consultant you may believe that weaning is the only solution. Remember that babies are hardwired to breastfeed and that almost all problems are fixable with the right knowledge, so don’t give up before you’ve worked with an expert.
- Return to work. Considering all of the benefits of breastfeeding even if you can supply a portion of your child’s nutritional needs you are offering them a great advantage. Many mothers have successfully balanced work demands with the ability to continue to supply breast milk to their child. A solution may be as simple as expressing your milk more often.
- A single medical opinion. Many times health care professionals not knowledgeable with your particular situation can provide less than helpful advice regarding solutions to your breastfeeding questions. One common area is with regard to taking medication while continuing to breastfeed. If your desire is to nurse your child be sure to seek out other medical opinions before making a final decision.
- Mother or child is ill or hospitalized. If the child is ill this can be a very bad time to wean as your breast milk is one of the best nutritional sources for your baby. If it is you that is ill or injured, with some exceptions, you can continue to breastfeed or at least express milk for you child until you have recovered.
- Pregnancy. While some children may choose to wean themselves should you find yourself pregnant, there is no harm done to you as a mother to continue to breastfeed throughout your pregnancy.
- Baby has teeth. In many places babies are breastfed well past the age of teething, If your child begins to bite your nipple or breast when nursing there are steps you can follow to alter that behavior.
- Baby is on strike. If your baby decides to go on nursing strike this is not the same as choosing to wean. A change of your diet or in your behavior can cause your child to push the breast away. several simple steps can help bring them back to the breast.
- So baby will sleep better. There is no evidence that weaning or starting on solid foods helps babies sleep longer or better.
- To encourage independence. There is no evidence that earlier weaned babies are more independent than babies that nursed longer.
- To make your life easier. There is no evidence that making a change like weaning will simplify your life. While you may no longer have the feedings to worry about your child may develop other behaviors that counteract any time savings, eg. trouble sleeping, or more illness.
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