Early Weaning From Breastfeeding: Causes and Prevention

If you are not yet aware of the phrase weaning from breastfeeding then it means your baby is going to start relying on your breast milk lesser and lesser. Instead, it will prefer other alternative forms of food to receive the same nourishment like solid foods and baby formulas. When a baby has completely weaned, it means the baby is no longer getting his or her nutrition from breastfeeding.

But what is early weaning?

Early weaning is the weaning procedure where the baby starts weaning way before the normal time of weaning in babies.

But why do new mothers start weaning? Let’s find out.

1. Even though breastfeeding is not supposed to hurt women, there are a lot of new mothers who have painful times when breastfeeding their babies.
2. Other breastfeeding problems are sore nipples, plugged milk ducts, breast engorgement, and even mastitis which could lead to painful breastfeeding sessions.
3. But if you can find out the cause then you might be able to breastfeed your baby for a longer time.
4. Although very rare, if a situation where you are unable to produce enough milk to breastfeed your baby, then also you can start weaning your baby earlier.
5. It will help you to keep your baby full even though he or she is not getting enough breast milk.
6. In case you do not have a supporting partner or friends, it too can lead to early weaning in your baby.
7. Right after childbirth and continuous breastfeeding could be very overwhelming.
8. If this is not your first baby, then managing your older kids and then breastfeeding your newborn can make you feel tired.
9. Working mothers too prefer early weaning their newborn baby, so that they can get back to work.
10. If you are a teacher by profession then also you can opt for early weaning your baby so that you can join the school at the earliest possible.
11. If your baby and you are having breastfeeding difficulties like your baby is born with a cleft lip or other medical issues like tongue tie. If your baby has either of the medical conditions or something else these could cause breastfeeding difficulties for you and your baby.
12. Even though most medications and treatments are safe for most new mothers, but chemotherapy and radioactive iodine which is used for treating thyroid is not good for breastfeeding mothers.
13. But in case you are going to start any of the extreme treatment drugs or methods then you should stop breastfeeding your baby and instead start weaning your baby. It will ensure your baby is no longer taking nourishment from breast milk and instead is consuming solid foods.
14. If you are embarrassed about breastfeeding your baby in public, then for such situations you can start weaning your baby. This will ensure that in public places your baby is being fed and you don’t have to go through uncomfortable breastfeeding procedures among people.
15. In case you want to plan a new baby right after your present newborn, then becoming pregnant while breastfeeding your newborn can be difficult. For whatever reason, if you are planning on another child, then you should start weaning your baby and provide them with alternate foods.

Why avoid early weaning?

1. Breast milk protects babies from a lot of childhood illnesses including diarrhea, ear infections, or even upper respiratory infections.
2. Providing your baby for the first six months with breast milk significantly decreases the chances of contracting sudden infant death syndrome.
3. Breastfeeding ensures your baby is getting the necessary digestive enzymes that will help your baby to have healthy digestion.
4. Chances of contracting Childhood cancers and eczema are also low for babies who breastfeed for the first six months.
5. Breast milk helps to keep blood pressure, sugar, and heart diseases in control.
6. If you are breastfeeding your baby for the first six months then you are avoiding obesity also.

Conclusion

Unless it is necessary, avoid early weaning your baby.

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