A few questions that we were recently asked about
weaning. We have answered based on our own
experiences as a mums.
- if i cut back the number of feeds per day, can i still feed
him in the mornings or will my supply go down?
We suggest that in the first week, you just cut down one daily
feed. It can often be the day time feeds that are easier to
cut out first, as the night/morning feeds are also comforting.
For example: in the first week that you start weaning, cut
out the midday breast feed offer a bottle instead). Start on
Monday and just stop doing this midday feed from then on. The first
day or two, you'll notice that your breasts will be a little
engorged. You can relive this using heat packs, hot flannels.
Don't breastfeed your baby though (at the midday feed), your
breasts will regulate and adjust after the first day or two and
will stop producing milk for the midday feed. Continue with
breastfeeds at other times of day, and you will still have enough
milk. By dropping one feed at a time it allows longer to
adjust. The following week, you might consider dropping the
afternoon feed (as well as the midday feed that you've already
stopped). And continue like this.
- how long of a period should i wean over and do i just drop
a feed and swap it for a bottle
It can take several weeks to wean your baby, but just do it
slowly to minimize the chance of getting mastistis. As described
above, just reduce one daily feed per week.
- should I keep the same number of feeds per day if he is on
a routine or will formula change things
Yes we suggest that you keep the same number of feeds, and just
switch breastmilk to formula - though this does depend on the age
of your baby and if they want to drink. The formula that you
use will give you instructions on the volume to offer your
baby. When switching over you may also notice that baby's
bowel motions change.
- Should I avoid introducing solids and weaning at the same
time or is that fine
We recommend that you only try to change one thing at a time.
Both to reduce the stress on you and your baby, but also so
that you can monitor how baby tolerates the new formula or the new
food. If you are doing both at the same time, it will be
difficult to isolate what any problems are caused by.
When the lady wrote this email to me asking these questions, she
didn't specify the age of her baby. So just to also clarify,
the Ministry of Health recommends that babies are exclusively
breastfed for 6 months, and after that breastfeeding continues with
the addition of solids.
However as mothers we know that this is not always possible, and
sometimes other mums need a little help for their own
situation.