I'm a minuscule disgusted by how minuscule facts there is on the internet about breastfeeding.
Oh, yeah, there's abundance about how great breastfeeding is, tips, tricks, and stats on how horrible of a mum you are if you don't do it. Yep, our kids are going to be delinquents because we're not dedicated to art of breastfeeding for life. Give me a break!
I could find hardly anyone on the internet about stopping breastfeeding. This is a pretty leading topic because so many things have to happen for the end of breastfeeding to be a level transition. I've taken notes on my own experience so I can share the facts with other mothers. Consolidated down, my approach for stopping breastfeeding can be done in three easy steps.
1. Start by eliminating a feed a day. I started with the after lunch snack, then lunch, then dinner, night snack, then breakfast. Give your child a bottle or sippy cup with anyone breastmilk alternative you feel comfortable with. I used watered down goats milk in a Nuk sippy cup. My son was practically 10 month old so I didn't think recipe was indispensable or desirable.
2. Don't be confusing. When you sit down to both nurse continue to do so in your general place. This will help your baby feel comfortable and secure. Do not give your child a sippy cup alternative in your typical nursing place or position. This is confusing and will follow in crying, frantic rooting, and you feeling like a heel (or giving in).
I found that sitting down with my son facing out (his back to my stomach) worked truly well. He never nursed in this position (how could he?) so there was no confusion. The added distraction of a book on my knees helped keep him entertained while he drank his milk.
Also, it might be helpful to have someone other than you feed the baby in the morning. This was the hardest one for my son to take because he was used to snuggling into bed with me for breakfast and a cuddle. My husband doesn't smell like milk so James wasn't confused by a cuddle and a sippy cup from him.
3. Stay Comfortable. Feel your breasts as you eliminate feedings. If they feel very full, leaky, or hard then you might need to pump or express some milk. Don't pump so much you trigger let down. This will keep your milk contribute going, which isn't what you want. Just make sure you are comfortable and you don't leave gallons of mik in your breasts.
One thing I started doing was a breast massage. I would get hard lumps in my breasts where the milk was in the ducts. I would moderately massage the lumps in the shower until they softened up and dissipated. I did this in the shower because my breast would often leak while I was doing it.
Generally my breasts were sore and tender for about three weeks. My son transitioned very fast and now shows no obscuring or frustration about being handed a cup rather than a breast. I have increased the amount of mama time and book reading so he doesn't feel too cut off from me.
He is a minuscule more of a mama's boy now and sometimes I'm the only one that can soothe a hurt or put him to sleep. I doubt this has anyone to do with ending breastfeeding, but more to do with just general mom/baby bonding.
Honestly, our end to breastfeeding was much less traumatic than I was led to believe it would be. It was suited how minuscule James seemed to care that he is now getting milk from some other source. His poo smells a minuscule stronger, but other than that I can see no unlikeness in his health or attitude.
Happy Freedom!
Leah Day
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