Weaning: You must know that!

When weaning, the baby is no longer breastfed and is instead introduced to complementary foods. You can find out here what you need to know and observe!

Breastfeeding: Breast milk as the best food for the baby

Breastfeeding and breast milk as food are very valuable for the baby. Not only does breastfeeding in itself create a strong bond between mother and child and provide a sense of security, but breast milk also provides all the valuable nutrients and immune-boosting ingredients. Breast milk also prevents allergies and infectious diseases. Basically there is nothing better than breast milk for the baby, but how long the mother breastfeds the baby often depends on personal circumstances!

Weaning: When is it time to stop breastfeeding?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the baby should be fed only on breast milk for the first six months and thus be fully breastfed. After the first six months, supplementary food is introduced in addition to the main source of nutrients in breast milk, as the baby now requires larger quantities of nutrients. However, it is recommended to continue breastfeeding until at least the second year of life. Additional important nutrients are supplied via the supplementary food.

Weaning is initiated as a process: The baby is gradually accustomed to complementary foods in addition to breast milk until the breast milk is finally completely replaced. You and your baby decide when this process is finally completed. There are mothers who are forced by external circumstances to stop breastfeeding, or babies who turn more and more to complementary foods. It is also possible that breastfeeding will continue to be good for both mother and baby and will remain an integral part of their food intake for longer than the norm. The decision lies entirely with mother and baby and no one should feel pressured or have to justify themselves from the outside. Complete breastfeeding occurs when the baby is only fed porridge or solid food and no longer receives any food through the breast.

Reasons for weaning:

• Mother’s health reasons / taking medication (check with the doctor whether the medication is harmful during breastfeeding)
• The breasts do not produce enough milk
• Need for greater self-determination
• The baby itself loses interest in breast milk or becomes distracted too quickly while breastfeeding
• Starting work: Even though breastfeeding breaks are stipulated by the Maternity Protection Act, regular breastfeeding can sometimes be difficult in the workplace.
• Your child gets teeth and puts them in

Weaning: How does it work?

Weaning should be gradual and not abrupt.
If you stop breastfeeding from now on, the following problems may occur:

• Mastitis (inflammation of the breast)
• Blocked milk ducts
• Swelling of the mammary glands
• Strong emotional stress for the baby
• Overstraining the baby’s digestive system

Natural weaning after the sixth month

• When the baby reaches the age of six months, he or she will be given additional supplementary food. As a result, breastfeeding is reduced on its own to a few breastfeeding meals a day. If you decide to reduce the frequency of breastfeeding yourself, you can gradually skip one breastfeeding meal and replace it with a bottle of baby food. Healthy snacks can also be provided. Note: Do not drink cow’s milk before the age of one year!
• However, it is still possible that the baby is always looking for the breast and is irritated by the lack of closeness that usually occurs during breastfeeding. In this case it can help to eat the snacks together with the baby and to integrate a lot of cuddling time into the daily routine. Playing can also be distracting and helpful.
• After some time, the number of breastfeeding meals will decrease and their duration will decrease. The body will then adapt automatically with the milk production and the baby will lose the desire for the breast itself. During this time you increase the supplementary food. Nevertheless, such a process can be very emotional for both of you, which is why a lot of closeness is so important during this time.
• If you want to go back to work, pumping can be a good solution for you and your baby. Over time, you can reduce the amount of pumping.

Tips for gradual weaning

• At the beginning of the weaning process, you can mix the baby formula with some breast milk to make it taste more familiar to your baby. It may take a while for your baby to get used to the porridge.
• Reduce the duration of breastfeeding slightly and then serve additional fruit porridge.
• Choose the time of weaning carefully: If the introduction to the daycare centre is emotionally demanding for the child, he or she may feel insecure about weaning.

Weaning before the sixth month

• Sometimes women have to stop breastfeeding before the sixth month. In this case, only one breastfeeding meal a day is replaced at first – preferably in the late afternoon (when you usually have less milk in your breast) – and gradually more breastfeeding meals are omitted. Instead, give a bottle of baby food.
• The breasts will feel sensitive and uncomfortable during this time, as milk is still being produced. To reduce the uncomfortable feeling, you can express some breast milk. However, make sure that you do not pump too much, otherwise the production of breast milk will be steadily increased again.
• Your body registers after a few days that it no longer needs to produce so much milk. You can then replace one breastfeeding meal every day thereafter. Depending on this, the baby can then be completely weaned.
• However, a solution may also be to simply breastfeed less and add infant formula if the baby is willing to do so. This way you can maintain the benefits of breastfeeding but minimize the number of breastfeeding meals.

Sudden weaning

Health factors, the intake of medication or a physical separation sometimes force the mother to suddenly stop breastfeeding. To prevent swelling of the breasts and pain, the breasts should be pumped out by brushing or using a breast pump – but only as much as is necessary to minimise the discomfort, otherwise milk production is stimulated again. If necessary, painkillers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol can also help with sore breasts. But please consult your doctor about this! You can also get help from a lactation consultant.

Tips to reduce milk production:

• Massage the breasts from time to time if necessary and pump small quantities of milk to prevent milk congestion
• Cool the breast with cooling compresses – the cold helps to prevent breast inflammation
• Drinking weaning sage tea
• If it is necessary for health reasons, the doctor can also prescribe appropriate medication or homeopathic remedies for weaning
• A cloth, wrapped tightly around the breast (it must not pinch off!), hinders milk production by reducing the blood supply to the breasts