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Medical Video: Breast to Bottle: Tips to Help The Transition
The reason for mothers weaning children is different. So even with the timing. However, the weaning process usually starts when the baby first receives food other than breast milk.
The first six months of a baby's life is the recommended period for babies to get exclusive breastfeeding. However, at least you have to breastfeed until your baby is one year old for optimal nutritional intake. After one year, you can start introducing your child to 2% cow's milk. Many babies never "drop" bottles but prefer to use them directly sippy cup at this age. If you plan to introduce bottled milk, it will be a little difficult if your baby has never been given a pacifier before. Your child may experience difficulties at first, especially when the mother tries to give the bottle to the baby. At this age, your child associates breastfeeding with security and comfort, so that "separation" from the mother's breast can make the baby confused and upset, because there are sudden changes in the routine. To get around it, try asking father or other family members to give you bottle milk, while you wait outdoors. Once accustomed, the mother can take over, but the baby must get a lot of hugs, caresses, and encouragement to replace the loss of physical contact with Mother. At this age you can also skip breastfeeding through a bottle and switch directly to a sippy cup containing breast milk and then cow's milk.
After the baby has learned to breastfeed from a bottle or cup, it is easier to separate the baby from breast milk. The time needed to wean babies will vary depending on the emotional and physical needs of the child and mother. If your baby adapts well to this change and you are ready to transition, you can wean completely in one or two weeks. For the first two days, replace one breastfeeding session with one cup or one bottle of milk formulaper today. On the third day, use a bottle or cup for two feedings. On the fifth day, you can add it to three or four bottles or cups of breastfeeding.
After you have stopped breastfeeding completely, breastmilk production will end very quickly. However, if your breasts are still enlarged, you may need to remove milk in the first two or three days to relieve this discomfort. Gradually weaning by reducing one breastfeeding session will help to minimize swelling. Within a week, this discomfort will subside.
Many women prefer to delay the weaning time, which is when their baby is fully prepared. Breastfeeding provides closeness between mother and child which is difficult to replace in other ways and you may be reluctant to stop the intimacy. You can do a combination of breast milk with formula milk until the age of one year, and breast milk with 2 percent milk in a cup over the age of one year. Some babies lose interest in breast milk between the ages of nine and twelve months, or when they learn to drink from a cup. Keep in mind this does not mean your child rejects you, but rather because he has grown more independent. At times, babies experience periods of breastfeeding strikes for several days. Then without warning or any reason, the baby will continue breastfeeding as if nothing has changed.
If you want, breastfeeding can continue as a routine even after the baby is over one year old.
