From the moment the baby is born, his first communication with the outside world begins with his mother. The first bond he establishes with his mother is formed by sucking the breast. For the baby, breastfeeding is an important way not only to get nourishment but also to feel love and trust. Many factors, including the way the mother holds her baby while feeding, her verbal and non-verbal communication with him, her contact with the baby, and her emotions, reinforce or disrupt the baby's sense of trust not only in the mother but in the whole life. The more prepared the mother is for motherhood and the healthier the bond she establishes with the baby, the safer the baby will feel. The basic feeling of trust is made possible by meeting the baby's sleep, nutrition, relaxation and basic needs. If the sucking process takes place in a peaceful environment for the baby, with a trusting mother, the baby will be satisfied and will stop breastfeeding after a certain month without requiring any training.
When to stop?
Health authorities recommend that babies be fed exclusively with breast milk for the first 6 months and that breastfeeding should be continued by supporting complementary foods after 6 months. Although it is recommended that breastfeeding continue up to 24 months, the frequency of breastfeeding should be reduced after the 12th month and should be terminated at the 18th month, when there are enough teeth to chew. Breastfeeding delayed until later in life disrupts the baby's psychological development process and prevents his or her individualization.
If the baby decides to wean, this process goes easier, but if the mother decides to do so, this process becomes more difficult. The most suitable method is; Gradual weaning is to give both the baby and the mother time to get used to this new situation. As we mentioned at the beginning of our article, another meaning of breastfeeding is relaxation, so leaving the breast in stressful situations (such as moving, starting a job, change of caregiver, teething) is not a good option.
Babies under 6 months
If your baby is younger than 6 months and has to be weaned from the breast, he/she must be fed with bottle formula. It would be appropriate to gradually switch from breastfeeding to bottle feeding one meal a day and gradually increase the number of bottle meals. However, the baby who gets used to taking the breast from the mother, b. first bottle d He/she may not prefer to breastfeed outside the mother. It will be easier if someone other than the mother (maybe the father or a family elder) manages this process. If the baby still does not accept the bottle, different bottle heads and different formulas recommended by the doctor can be tried. A bottle given between naps may also be more easily accepted.
Babies older than 6 months
If your baby is 6 months old, a bottle may not be necessary. Now he can be fed with complementary foods and items other than bottles. In this way, breastfeeding can be reduced. Babies need to suckle most when they wake up in the morning and when they fall asleep at night. It would be more appropriate to leave these habits to the end. In addition, it is easier to keep the baby occupied and distracted with different environments and activities during the day.
How to wean him from the breast?
Make sure your child is mature enough to let go of the breast. Your child should be able to consume solid foods, use a cup, be free from stress (such as a new sibling, toilet training, a new caregiver, etc.), and your child's development should be in harmony with his peers.
Do not stop breastfeeding suddenly. If you cut it gradually, you will have a more comfortable process. Give your child solid food when he wakes up and is hungry. If he insists on breastfeeding when he's not hungry, comply. Don't breastfeed unless he or she wants to.
Babies especially want to suckle at night to relax. But this is something that makes the process more difficult. So try not to breastfeed before sleep. Let your child's father or someone else he loves put him to bed. Keep your baby busy and distracted by taking him to different places with different activities during the day.
The mother may feel sad!
Weaning can affect you as much as it affects your baby. When your relationship moves to a different dimension and the bond between you changes, it may cause stress for you. Remember that the relationship between you is not ending, on the contrary, you are moving towards a process in which you will be even more dependent on each other. It is exciting to welcome this new period with joy and witness your baby stepping into the first childhood period.
If you still cannot wean your baby from the breast even though he has passed the age limit;
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Dental health may deteriorate (net It will rot the remaining milk teeth),
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His appetite may decrease over time (loss of interest in solid foods),
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He becomes dependent on his mother ( Separating from the breast is also proof that the baby can calm itself, while the baby who cannot leave the breast constantly wants his mother to calm down)
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