How Do You Know When its Time to Wean Breastfeeding?

Ah, it really is a time-old question, isn’t it? And it IS a difficult question. I would say that it truly differs from mom-to-mom and each situation. First and foremost let us cover the basics…

First, it is recommended and strongly encouraged to breastfeed (exclusively, ideally) until your baby is at least 6 months of age. This loads the baby up with natural immunity and it also helps to set the stage for normal, healthy gut health (this is true particularly for those exclusively breastfeeding).

If you chose to, you don’t even have to give solid foods to a baby in the first year. The only reason why we “start solids” is because babies start showing interest and reaching for food on our plates around 6 months of age. Breastmilk is biologically normal and fully sufficient for a baby until they are 1 year old!

How to Know When to Wean

My first, and likely most important, sign is that it is no longer enjoyable to you. You are finding that you are dreading breastfeeding. Or, maybe it isn’t the whole breastfeeding session, but you start and everything is going fine and within 5-10 minutes you are wanting to stop the feeding short. This is definitely something to pay attention to! It is a strong indicator that you are getting to the point that it is time to wean.

Breastfeeding should be an enjoyable experience, empowering for you — knowing that you are giving your baby the milk that only you, his mother, can give — and growing the bond between the two of you.

Second, do you notice that your baby is stopping short during feedings and coming off, disinterested? For example feedings used to take 15-20 minutes regularly and now he is feeding just 5-10 minutes? This is a sign that your baby is beginning to wean. One important point here is that it is possible that it is not waning interest but it could be a noticeable drop in supply! If you do not wish to wean this is a time that you should start pumping 3-4 times a day after you breastfeed to trigger your supply to rebound.

Another sign is when breastfeeding just becomes irritating.  You still enjoy it overall, but you find that your baby on your nipple and suckling is just irritating to you! It doesn’t hurt but the baby on your nipple just bothers you.

Getting Pregnant

Finally there is another reason that more of a timing issue. Are you wanting to have another baby? Have you had difficulty getting pregnant? Has your period returned yet? Continuing to lactate and having high levels of prolactin can prevent your period from returning. However, even if your period has not yet returned you could get pregnant (seeing as we ovulate before our cycle returns). If your period has not yet started again and you are wanting to have another baby soon, this is for sure a time to consider weaning. If it has not returned you will likely need to wean in order to have cycles return, and ovulation, for conception.

This is a hard issue for many moms. Do you want to continue breastfeeding or do you want your children close together in age? I think the happy medium for many moms is to wean at age 2. It can take 3 months or so to get your period back. For many moms it may be 18 mos, then you’d probably have another baby when your oldest is 2 1/2. For other moms it may be 9-12 months of age.

Ultimately this is such a personal decision. Here at Simply the Breast, I prefer the baby-led weaning. As discussed in this post, there are clearly other reasons that may lead you to wean and that is OK. Always remember that the as much breastfeeding and breast milk as you were able to give your baby is more breast milk and bonding they received than had you chosen the alternative.

Need Help?

Do you want help determing if its the right time to wean? Feel free to contact me for a consultation.

Contact Simply the Breast today to schedule an appointment if you would like to discuss weaning or need assistance with breastfeeding.