A baby has appeared in the house! In addition to incredible happiness, he brought with him many questions and difficulties. And one of the main difficulties is feeding. First, you need to establish breastfeeding, then save, and then be able to wean the baby as painlessly as possible from the breast. What should be the correct completion of breastfeeding? And then what to do?
How much should I breastfeed?
We will not now analyze all the pros and cons of breastfeeding and artificial feeding. Let us take for granted that our newborn baby eats mother’s milk - and this article is for mothers of just such babies. And each such mother inevitably raises the question of how long it takes to feed her baby with her milk.
It is necessary to make a reservation right away that there is no uniform opinion on the whole world. Someone thinks that in a year it is already possible to wean a baby from the breast, someone feeds up to two years, and some "especially progressive" mothers continue to do this even when the child has long become quite adult, independent and conscious - the world knows cases breastfeeding and six- and even ten-year-olds. True, there are still a minority of such people. The World Health Organization currently recommends maintaining breastfeeding until the age of two, but adhering to this recommendation or not is a personal matter for each individual mother. Most women still hold the view that breastfeeding for too long becomes a habit over time, the need to "suck a tit" becomes not a satisfying hunger, but a kind of calming means - like a dummy. Nevertheless, the timing of breastfeeding, each mother sets her own. But sooner or later, in any case, they will come to an end, and then a new question will arise. How should breastfeeding end?
The kid is also the initiator
To begin with, it’s worth remembering that even if the mother has set a specific time period for herself when it is time to “curl up” with breastfeeding, the child himself can also initiate the transition to other foods - and do this even earlier than the mother has outlined. Probably, it’s not a secret for any of the nursing women that the first six months of life, the baby does not need anything other than mother’s milk. After only six months (and this is the minimum limiter), experts recommend starting to give the baby food the so-called complementary foods - vegetable and fruit purees, cereals and so on. Then, at about the same time, a baby may become interested in solid, “adult” food - by observing how and what parents eat and wanting to try it on their own. Solid food, however, will not suit the baby, if it does not yet have teeth, it simply will not have anything to learn to chew. But if a child has already gotten out at least a couple of “bites” and he takes an active interest in “human” food, this is a clear signal for mom that her baby is ready to part with her familiar and beloved “sissy”.
Of course, not immediately, not at once. There is no child who can endure the completion of breastfeeding so easily and simply, in one sitting. You should not count on such things, but you can gradually begin to reduce the number of breastfeeding or the duration of this meal. In any case, the baby at this age should not immediately be left without milk at all. Having saved at first one or two breastfeeding (usually in the evening and night hours), afterwards it will be possible to safely accustom the crumbs to cow's milk.
Fast or slow
Many women, having begun completing breastfeeding, seek to carry out this procedure as soon as possible. However, all experts agree in one opinion: you can’t quickly wean a child from the breast - because a sharp break in the established intimate relationship with the mother can injure the baby. They recommend, having patience, to end this process within three to four months: it is such a gap, according to doctors, that is almost ideal, the most painless for the child and for the mother herself. It is unlikely that any woman will want to get problems associated with the onset of lactostasis. Although, of course, it is impossible to fit everyone under a single framework - in someone, the completion of breastfeeding is much calmer, easier and, accordingly, faster than for the above period. However, doctors say that in order to develop a particular habit (in this case, stop asking for a mother’s breast), a baby, like an adult, always needs at least three, or even four weeks.
When completing breastfeeding, a woman should think about two things: how to make sure that her baby painlessly transfers all this - firstly, and what to do with her own milk and breasts so that no diseases appear - secondly. We’ll talk about the second question later, but for now - baby. How to prepare it?
What to do when completing breastfeeding: tips
- When breastfeeding, the baby is fed at his first request. However, deciding to end up with this way of eating, you can slowly accustom the baby to eat according to the mode, after a certain amount of time. Of course, provided that the child weaning from the chest is large enough and at least one year old. The number of attachments should be reduced gradually, and then it will be possible to slowly but surely bring them to zero.
- It is very important in advance to take care of completing breastfeeding for mothers - even when the baby is actively eating her milk. To make it easier than ever is necessary to periodically go somewhere for a couple of hours: whether shopping, in a cafe with girlfriends, just take a walk through the streets. In the absence of a mother, the baby must learn to interact with other people - who cannot provide him with breasts at his request, and therefore, he will gradually get used to the fact that he can satisfy his needs and solve problems without breasts in general. Such a habit will help both the baby and her mother later.
- Starting excommunication, you need to try to refuse the baby when he asks for the breast immediately. However, you can’t just say “no”, you must definitely explain why it will not work for the baby to breastfeed, and promise to do so in the near future. For example: "Baby, wait a bit: now I’ll finish ironing my clothes, and then I will give you breasts." It is necessary to take into account an important nuance here: many mothers hope that during this time the child will be distracted by something (or try hard to distract him themselves) and there will be no need to give breasts. In no case should you do this - the baby will feel cheated. They promised to give a breast later - which means that we must fulfill our promise. In addition, you do not need to immediately establish huge gaps between “baby, wait” and a low-key word. First, let the crumbs request be postponed for five minutes, then for ten, and so on.
- The baby should have one specific place for feeding, and only there he can get mother's breasts.
- You can limit the number of feedings if you agree with the child that he will only take breasts while at home (not on the street / in the store / away).
- If in response to the refusal of the crumb whimpers, it is not necessary to take positions. Slight disgruntled crying can be endured. But if it develops into a protracted hysteria, then it is necessary to give in to the child (but of course, it is better not to bring the tantrum).
- Instead of breasts, you can offer the baby something that he loves from food - in case he is hungry, or something that can keep him entertained and entertained - if he is bored.
- You can not remove night breastfeeding before it is eliminated at night. As for the latter, in order to remove it, it is necessary to introduce some new ritual of going to bed instead of falling asleep on the chest. Each family has its own - a lullaby, reading a book, soothing tea and so on. However, it is important to remember that this particular feeding (as well as night feeding) cannot be removed very quickly. Perhaps a good help will be a gradual reduction in the duration of "hanging" on the chest.
- So that the baby does not ask for breasts in the morning, you need to get up before him and meet his awakening with some of his favorite goodies - so that he does not even remember the baby’s chest.
- Deciding to complete breastfeeding, it is important to stand firm and not succumb to the tricks and tricks of the little manipulator.
- Separating a child from the chest, you can not leave him without himself for several days. Many mothers consider this decision to be the most optimal, they say, will stay without a mother’s breast for a couple of days - and that’s all. This is fundamentally wrong, and can not only injure the psyche of the baby, but also turn into mastitis or lactostasis for the mother herself.
- To avoid problems with the psyche of the child, you should not change the environment, familiar to the crumbs. No need to take him away to visit his grandmother, for example, until the excommunication is completed.
- Some have resorted to such drastic measures as spreading breasts with greenery or hot pepper. This is a fairly common mistake that should not be repeated. The child perceives her mother’s breasts as the most expensive, beloved that he has. Breast in zelenka or pepper for him would be tantamount to as if an adult found a thing dear to his heart spoiled.
Forced termination
There are situations when it is necessary to finish breastfeeding urgently. This is usually associated with the mother’s illness, when she either goes to the hospital or is forced to take drugs that are incompatible with breastfeeding. In this case, the baby should be transferred to a bottle and an artificial mixture. This process will be completely simple and easy if the baby is not yet a year old (and for babies up to six months it is generally invisible), and somewhat more difficult if the child is already older. In this case, you definitely need to talk with him and explain that the mother is sick, and therefore no longer will be able to eat her milk.
Of course, milk does not disappear instantly from the breast. A woman will have to regularly express herself (even with a breast pump, at least manually) in order not to earn lactostasis or mastitis (a little more details about what these sores will be described below). It is very important: it is not necessary to express itself completely, but only to the feeling of relief in the chest. If you empty it completely, it only stimulates the further continuation of milk production, and this is unlikely to be necessary for the mother who completes breastfeeding. Her task is to achieve a gradual decrease in lactation, and this is exactly what pumping is directed after three to four hours - when the breast is filled. If you do not decant at all, the milk will not disappear - but the glands will become clogged, and the risk of the aforementioned diseases will be great. It is necessary to get strained in the case, by the way, if the cessation of feeding is temporary, and subsequently the mother plans to return to it.
There are several other ways to achieve the disappearance of lactation. First, there are many drugs on the pharmaceutical market to complete breastfeeding. They are usually used in cases where a really sharp, emergency cessation of lactation is necessary. Independently prescribe yourself such a medication should not be in any case. For any pill to complete breastfeeding, be sure to consult your doctor. Only he will be able to prescribe a drug suitable for this particular woman, and also select the right dosage. It should be remembered that any such medication has side effects, which, as a rule, are expressed in dizziness, heart palpitations, and nausea. Among the drugs to complete breastfeeding are Dostinex and Bromocriptine.
Another way to complete lactation is to pull the breast. This is a good old folk remedy, which, however, does not cause the approval of doctors. Due to the constriction of the chest, blood circulation is disturbed and the milk ducts become blocked. According to experts, it is after tug of war that many women develop mastitis. The safest method anyway is considered to be a gradual decrease in lactation.
Breast after completing breastfeeding
It often happens that women complain of chest pain during cessation of lactation. What to do in this case?
Painful sensations can begin literally on the second or third day after the completion of breastfeeding. It is important during this period to carefully treat your chest. You can not wear any pinch bras and tops, underwear should be well-supported, but as soft and comfortable as possible.
If at the end of breastfeeding the chest hurts, it is permissible to help her by applying a cold compress or wrapping cabbage leaves, gauze soaked in cold milk whey, or something else. It is allowed to use infusions of sage and mint - they help to reduce lactation, a sense of relief will come when the chest feels painful, hot and swollen. You can also drink painkillers, because mom is no longer nursing.
What can not be done at the end of lactation, it is impossible to starve and not drink. The restriction in water and food does not help the milk to disappear, but it harms the mother's body. In addition, you can not warm the chest.
Chest pain: mastitis and lactostasis
Sometimes breast pain after breastfeeding can indicate a serious illness such as lactostasis or mastitis. Having discovered the signs of any of these ailments, it is necessary to immediately take measures to eliminate them, without delaying treatment. Next, we briefly describe what kind of disease.
Lactostasis
Lactostasis is less terrible than mastitis, but also unpleasant. These are seals in the chest, in the mammary glands. They appear due to excess milk. If the seals are small and there is no temperature, lactostasis can be defeated by exposure to cold.
Some apply compresses with Vishnevsky ointment, which also removes inflammation well, some treat the densification with a laser or ultrasound. However, everything is much more serious if the seal is swollen, reddened, and the temperature rises. Then lactostasis can go into mastitis.
Mastitis
Mastitis is called inflammation of the mammary gland. It can be recognized by severe redness and swelling, bursting with constant pain (and not only with palpation, as with lactostasis), as well as high temperature. Pus is also common in milk. If you do not treat mastitis on time, everything can end very poorly - gangrene, and then surgical intervention will be required.
First menstruation
Any woman who decides to stop breastfeeding should understand: menstruation after the completion of breastfeeding will come inevitably. They all begin in different ways, for someone in the first month after the abolition of breastfeeding, for someone in one or two. It also happens that menstruation resumes even during lactation. It all depends solely on the characteristics of the woman’s body - each one has its own.
The above details on what to do when breastfeeding is completed and how to maintain your health. Hopefully this information is helpful.