Weaning From Breast Feeding

When your baby has stopped breast feeding and gets

all of his nutrition from other sources than the

breast, he's actually considered weaned. Even

though babies are also weaned from the bottle as

well, the term weaning often refers to when a

baby is stopped from breast feeding.

When weaning is a mother's idea, it normally

requires a lot of patience and can take time,

depending on the age of your baby or toddler,

and also how well your child adjusts. The

overall experience is different for everyone.

Weaning is a long goodbye, sometimes emotional

and sometimes painful. It doesn't however, signal

fo the end to the intimacy you and your child

have developed during the nursing stage. What it

means, is that you have to replace breast feeding

with other types of nourishment.

Starting weaning

Your the best judge as to when it's the right

time to wean, and you don't really have a

deadline unless you and your child are actually

ready to wean. The recommended time for weaning

is one year. No matter what relatives, friends,

or even complete strangers tell you, there is

no right or wrong time for weaning.

How to wean

You should proceed slowly, regardless of what

the age of your child may be. Experts say

that you shouldn't abruptly withhold your breast,

as they results can be traumatic. You should

however, try these methods instead:

1. Skip a feeding - Skip a feeding and

see what happens, offering a cup of milk to your

baby instead. As a substitue, you can use a

bottle of your own pumped milk, formula, or a

cow's milk. If you reduce feedings one at a

time, your child will eventually adjust to the

changes.

2. Shorten feeding time - You can start

by cutting the length of time your child is

actually at the breast. If the normal feeding

time is 5 minuts, try 3. Depending on the age,

follow the feeding with a healthy snack. Bed

time feedings are usually the hardest to wean,

as they are normally the last to go.

3. Postpone and distract - You can

postpone feedings if you are only feeding a couple

of times per day. This method works great if

you have an older child you can actually reason

with. If your child wants the breast, say that

you'll feed later then distract him.

If you've tried everything and weaning doesn't

seem to be working at all, maybe the time just

isn't right. You can wait just a bit longer

to see what happens, as your child and you have

to determine the right time to wean together.

Poor Milk Supply

Almost all women don't have a problem with producing

enough milk to breast feed. The ideal way to make

sure that your baby is getting enough milk is to be

sure that he's well positioned, attached to the

breast, and feed him as often as he gets hungry.

Some mom's that are breast feeding will stop before

they want to, simply because they don't think they

have enough breast milk.

There are signs that might make you believe your baby

isn't getting enough milk. If your baby seems hungry

or unsettled after feeding, or if he wants to feed

often with short pauses between feedings, you may

think he isn't getting enough milk - which are often

times not the case.

There are however, two reliable signs that let you

know your baby isn't getting enough milk. If your

baby has poor or really slow weight gain, or is

passing small amounts of concentrated urine, he's

not getting enough milk.

All babies will lose weight within the first few

days after birth. Babies are born with supplies of

fat and fluids, which will help them keep going for

the first several days.

Once your baby regains birth weight, he should begin

putting on around 200g for the first four months or

so. To get back to their birth weight, it normally

takes a few weeks.

If the weight gain for your baby seems to be slow,

don't hesitate to ask your doctor or nurse to observe

you breast feeding. This way, they can make sure

that your technique is right and if they think your

baby is breast feeding often enough.

To help you with your breast feeding, here are some

ways that you can increase your supply of milk:

1. Be sure that your baby is positioned

correctly and attached to your breast.

2. Let your baby feed for as long and often

as he wants.

3. If you feel that your baby isn't breast

feeding enough, offer him more breast feeds.

4. During each breast feed, make sure you

feed from both breasts.

5. If your baby has been using a dummy,

make sure you stop him.

6. Some babies may be sleepy and reluctant

to feed, which may be the cause of problems with

milk supply.

By following the above tips, you'll do your part in

making sure you have enough milk when it comes time

to breast feed. If you are uncertain or have other

questions, be sure to ask your doctor, as he can

answer any type of question you may have.

Breast Feeding Adopted Babies

Not only is breast feeding an adopted baby easy,

the chances are that you will produce a large

amount of milk. It isn't complicated to do,

although it is different than breast feeding a

baby you have been pregnant with for 9 months.

Breast feeding and milk

There are two objectives that are involved in

breast feeding an adopted baby. The first is

getting your baby to breast feed, and the other

is producing enough breast milk.

There is more to breast feeding than just milk,

which is why many mothers are happy to feed

without expecting to produce milk in the way

the baby needs. It's the closeness and the

bond breast feeding provides that many mothers

look for.

Taking the breast

Even though many feel the early introduction of

bottles may interfere with breast feeding, the

early introduction of artificial nipples can

interfere a great deal. The sooner you can get

the baby to the breast after birth, the better

things will be.

Babies will however, require the flow from the

breast in order to stay attached and continue

to suck, especially if they are used to getting

flow from a bottle or other method of feeding.

Producing breast milk

As soon as you have an adopted baby in sight,

contact a lactation clinic and start getting

your milk supply ready. Keep in mind, you

may never produce a full milk supply for your

baby, although it may happen. You should

never feel discouraged by what you may be

pumping before the baby, as a pump is never

quite as good at extracting milk as a baby

who is well latched and sucking.

Low Supply Of Breast Milk

Almost all mothers who breast feed go through a

period of questioning whether or not their supply

of milk is adequate. Some mothers simply aren't

able to produce enough milk to meet the needs of

her baby. According to many experts, true

insufficiencies of milk are very rare.

A lot of women think their milk supply is low when

it actually isn't. Thinking this can happen if

you lose the feeling of fullness in your breasts

or if the milk stops leaking from your nipples.

Babies that go through growth spurts may want

more milk than usual, and these more frequent

feedings may leave your breasts less than full.

Causes of it

A mother's milk supply may diminish for a brief

period of time if she isn't feeding her baby

often enough due to nipple pain, or a poor latch

on technique. Illnesses or estrogen containing

birth control pills may also affect the production

of milk.

What you should do

The best way to handle a low supply of breast

milk is through a doctor's care. You should

make sure that your baby gets frequent feedings

and that nothing is wrong with your nipples or

your milk ducts. Doctors are the best ones to

ask, as they can run tests to see if everything

is fine within your body.

A low supply of breast milk can affect your

baby, although it's more of a mental condition

than anything else. If your baby isn't gaining

any weight or if he is losing weight, you

should call a doctor immediately. Improved

techniques for breast feeding will normally

help, although in some cases weight gain or

weight loss will indicate a serious concern.

In most cases, you can still nurse with a

temporary decrease in milk supply, although

frequent breast feeding is the key to boosting

your production of milk.

The First Six Weeks

Breast milk is the best food you can give to your

baby. Breast milk is a complete food source,

containing all the nutrients your baby need - at

least 400 of them to be exact, including hormones

and disease fighting compounds that aren't found

in formula.

The nutritional makeup in breast milk will adjust

to your baby's needs as he or she grows and

develops. Aside from the brain building, infection

fighting benefits of breast milk, which no formula

can match, nursing will also help to build a special

bond between you and your baby. When nursing,

your child thrives on the contact, cuddling, and

holding - which you will as well.

Since breast feedings can take up to 40 minutes or

more, you should pick a cozy spot for nursing. The

atmosphere is very important, even more so in the

early days of breast feeding when you're still

trying to get the hang of it. If you get easily

distracted by noise, go somewhere quiet.

You should always hold your baby in a position

that won't leave your arms or back sore. It works

the best to support the back of your baby's head

with your hand, although which position you choose

depends on what's more comfortable to you.

When supporting your baby, a nursing pillow can

sometimes be a big help. You should never feed

until both you and your baby are comfortable. Pay

attention to how your breasts feel when your baby

latches on, as his mouth should cover most of the

areola below the nipple, and the nipple should be

far back into your baby's mouth.

While some women adjust to breast feeding easily,

other moms find it hard to learn. If you feel

discouraged, always know that you aren't the only

one. Everyone feels different when starting, it

all depends on the mother and the situation.

Breast feeding will take practice. Therefore, you

should give yourself as much time as you need to

get it down to second nature. Always take it one

feeding at a time. If you are having a bad day,

tell yourself that it'll get better. Keep in mind

that any problems are temporary, as you'll be

nursing like a pro by your six week postpartum

checkup.

The first six weeks will be both an adventure and

training. You can't expect to know everything when

you begin, which is where training and practice will

really help you excel. The more you breast feed,

the more you'll learn. You'll also build a bond

with your baby - which is something you'll always

have for the rest of your lives.

Breast Compression

The sole purpose of breast compression is to continue

the flow of milk to the baby once the baby no longer

drinks on his own. Compression will also stimulate

a let down reflex and often causes a natural let

down reflex to occur. This technique may also be

useful for the following:

1. Poor weight gain in the baby.

2. Colic in the breast fed baby.

3. Frequent feedings or long feedings.

4. Sore nipples for the mother.

5. Recurrent blocked ducts

6. Feeding the baby who falls asleep quick.

If everything is going well, breast compression may

not be necessary. When all is well, the mother should

allow the baby to finish feeding on the first side,

then if the baby wants more - offer the other side.

How to use breast compression

1. Hold the baby with one arm.

2. Hold the breast with the other arm, thumb

on one side of your breast, your finger on the other

far back from the nipple

3. Keep an eye out for the baby's drinking,

although there is no need to be obsessive about

catching every suck. The baby will get more milk when

drinking with an open pause type of suck.

4. When the baby is nibbling or no longer

drinking, compress the breast, not so hard that it

hurts though. With the breast compression, the baby

should begin drinking again.

5. Keep up the pressure until the baby no

longer drinks with the compression, then release the

pressure. If the baby doesn't stop sucking with the

release of compression, wait a bit before compressing

again.

6. The reason for releasing pressure is to

allow your hand to rest, and allow the milk to begin

flowing to the baby again. If the baby stops sucking

when you release the pressure, he'll start again

once he tastes milk.

7. When the baby starts to suck again, he

may drink. If not, simply compress again.

8. Continue feeding on the first side until

the baby no longer drinks with compression. You

should allow him time to stay on that side until he

starts drinking again, on his own.

9. If the baby is no longer drinking, allow

to come off the breast or take him off.

10. If the baby still wants more, offer the

other side and repeat the process as above.

11. Unless you have sore nipples, you may

want to switch sides like this several times.

12. Always work to improve the baby's latch.

How To Use A Breast Pump

Just like breast feeding, pumping is a skill that you

learn. When first trying a breast pump, most mothers

are only able to express a few drops of milk. With

the proper practice and knowledge, the mother will

be more efficient at pumping.

Preparing the breast pump

1. Read all the instructions in the kit

very carefully.

2. Every part of the breast pump will need

to be sterilized before you begin using it.

3. After use, all the parts of the pump will

need to be washed in warm, soapy water, then rinsed

with hot water and drained on a clean towel. The

plastic tubing doesn't need to be cleaned unless

you get milk into it. If you do wash it, it should

be hung to allow time to dry and drain thoroughly.

4. If your doctor feels the need, the

entire kit can be sterilized every day.

5. When you first start with an electric

pump, the suction level should be on the lowest

possible setting.

Getting started

- Warm compresses, gentle massages of the

breast and gentle nipple stimulation will help to

stimulate a quick let down.

- You should always relax while doing

breast massages during pumping. Some mothers prefer

to close their eyes then think about nursing the

baby, imagining the baby in their arms. The more

relaxed a mother is, the better let down she'll

have and the more milk will be dispensed.

- Your first attempts at pumping should be

considered practice sessions with learning to use

the breast pump as the goal, not how much milk is

actually dispensed.

- When you use a hand pump, quick, short

pumps at the start is stimulating and will imitate

more closely the way a baby breast feeds. Once

the let down occurs and milk starts to flow freely,

long, steadier strokes are more effective and

less tiring.

- When you learn to pump, you should

practice for 5 minutes on a side at least once or

twice a day. Always pick the least stressful part

of your day for pumping.

Relaxing and realizing that the pump is your

friend is the single most important thing that a

mother can do. There are several things that a

mother can do to help herself relax, such as

putting a picture of the baby on the pump, playing

cards or a game with friends, watching television,

read books, or talk on the phone. Simply watching

the collection bottle is not helpful and will

probably put more stress on you than you actually