When to Stop Breastfeeding

If you are breastfeeding, you may be wondering how long you should continue. The World Health Organization (WHO) and most medical associations recommend exclusive breastfeeding until six months, and as long as the mother and child wish to continue after that. The WHO recommends at least until age two.

Many people think that after a certain age the benefits of breastfeeding are only psychological, but the health benefits continue for as long as breastfeeding continues.The WHO recommendation is because of diarrhea, a dangerous illness very common between the age of one and two. Toddlers who have weaned from the breast are more likely to be dehydrated and spend time in the hospital when they get diarrhea, and they spend more time there than the toddlers with diarrhea who are still nursing.

What is Weaning?

The process of weaning begins as soon as the baby gets any food other than breastmilk. Babies don't need water, cereal, tea or formula until they are about half a year old, unless there is a medical concern. If weight gain is low, the baby should be seen by a doctor to rule out medical issues. Many times, a call to La Leche League or a lactation consultant can help resolve the problem. Weaning is a process that can last many months, or years.

Some mothers wean from the breast before returning to work, but it is possible to pump at work and save the milk for the caretaker to give the next day. Babies don't need to wean because they have teeth, or can talk, or are in day care--the weaning decision is between the mother and baby. Weaning doesn't occur in a straight line, either. There may be stages where baby nurses more often during the day or night than previously.

Do Children Stop Breastfeeding On Their Own?

All children will wean on their own. According to anthropologist Katherine Dettwyler, the natural age for humans to nurse is between two and five years. Often the mother is ready to wean before the child. She should avoid making the decision during a stressful time, and keep in mind that if she is overtired, anxious or worried the child will pick up on it and ask to nurse more frequently. Sometimes after a day or two of relaxed nursing the mother will see things in a new light.

Babies under a year are unlikely to stop on their own unless they are used to frequent bottles or the mother breastfeeds according to a strict schedule. Sometimes a "nursing strike" is mistaken for a desire to stop breastfeeding. If the baby is in pain or has a cold, he or she may nurse a minimal amount for a few days.

How to Stop Breastfeeding

Whenever a mother decides to stop breastfeeding, she should do so gradually. Weaning abruptly can lead to severe engorgement and possibly infection. It's best to cut back one feeding at a time, replacing it with a bottle if the baby is very young, and wait until the breasts are soft again before cutting out another breastfeeding.