Seven weaning tips for breastfeeding mothers:
- Weaning should be a gradual process; breastfeeding should not be stopped suddenly.
- From six months, start replacing one breastfeeding session per day with a bottle or cup of formula milk (for babies under 12 months) or cow’s milk (for older babies).
- Over several weeks, progressively decrease the number of breastfeeding sessions.
- Distract the baby with fun bonding activities, such as reading, playing, or going for a walk, to divert their attention away from missing the breastfeeding session.
- Ensure that both mom and baby have time to adjust to the next stage of feeding.
- It may be helpful to consider daytime or night-time weaning. Find the rhythm that works best for your little one.
- Be aware that once you stop breastfeeding, there may be emotional and physical changes that may take some getting used to.
“Weaning too quickly can cause painful engorgement, clogged ducts, mastitis, and unpleasant hormonal shifts,” cautions Dr Sepeng.
“When a woman is lactating, hormones prolactin and oxytocin, known for their feel-good effects, are produced at higher levels. Therefore, when the baby is weaned and breastfeeding ends, the mother’s levels of these ‘happy hormones’ drop, and this can cause mood swings, sadness, and feelings of depression,” she says.
“It’s important to remember that the intensity of the symptoms can vary depending on individual factors, such as the speed of weaning, how long the mother has been breastfeeding, the baby’s developmental stage and the mother’s needs, among others.
“Once you stop expressing milk, your body also increases levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which may contribute to mood changes, night sweats, fatigue and headaches, or even migraines, which could become severe.
“Keep in touch with your maternity team and your loved ones about how you are doing, physically and emotionally. If you are struggling to cope, professional help is available to support you through this challenging time of transition. There is no need for you to feel alone.”
As a specialised maternity facility, Netcare Park Lane Hospital includes one of the country’s most respected neonatal intensive care units alongside caring and experienced obstetric teams.
Dr Sepeng says other changes to expect after breastfeeding are linked to the rise in the hormones oestrogen and progesterone, which trigger the return of fertility, ovulation, and the menstrual cycle.
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