Why Sudden Weaning is a Bad Idea—for Baby

Our first post in this series talked about why gradual weaning is better for mom. In this post we’ll discuss:

Why Sudden Weaning is a Bad Idea—for Baby

It’s often said that nursing is a two-way street. In order for breastfeeding to succeed, both mom and baby have to be happy with the current arrangements. Usually, baby is perfectly content but it’s mom who’s about to crack.

Babies don’t view breastfeeding as just a way to get nutrition—it’s also highly comforting to them, building the basis of a strong emotional bond.

Nursing is safety and babies come to rely on it for emotional stability. That’s why sudden weaning can be so hard on a child. The comfort they have grown accustomed to have suddenly vanished and your baby is left confused and fretful.

Weaning is a learning process.

And as with any other learning process, change happens gradually, with guidance. Babies must be guided to replace nursing with healthy snacks, playing, or some snuggle time. Gradual weaning eases baby of the breast to explore other ways of comforting and nutrition.

Depending on your baby’s age, sudden weaning may go against worldwide and national breastfeeding guidelines. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends breastfeeding for at least one year and the World Health Organization (WHO) encourages nursing for at least two years.

Since nursing – even the older baby or toddler – provides your little one with protection against illness, sudden weaning often means your baby will get sick. And when they do become ill, they will be more seriously ill.

Breastfed infants are rarely ill when exclusively nursing, and when they are, the illness is usually milder and more short lived than other members of the family. Having to deal with a sick baby who is also anxious because of the sudden weaning can be very stressful for a mom.

It’s ok to set limits with breastfeeding. If you need more rest, or “want your body back”, cut one one feeding every few days.

This gradual adjustment will be easier for you and your little one. Remember to replace the lost nursing with extra cuddling, carrying and physical contact with you and the baby’s father.

Your baby will also need extra nourishment and fluids to replace the lost nutrition. Be sure to talk with your baby’s health care provider about their nutritional needs.

Tags: weaning