How Do I Stop Breastfeeding?

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If you’ve been following along, you know I have strong thoughts on how you don’t need anyone’s opinion if you want to stop breastfeeding. If you’re ready to learn how to stop breastfeeding, here’s a look at what worked for me personally when I decided to the weaning process.

Just a reminder that while I am a nurse, I am not your healthcare provider. You should always consult your doctor if you have questions!

I feel guilty for wanting to stop breastfeeding, which is preventing me from weaning. How do I get over this?

Say it with me until you are blue in the face, or until you believe it (whichever comes first): You can stop breastfeeding whenever you feel it is right for you. If you are faced with judgmental stares and gasps when you say you want to stop, nip it in the bud and walk away. Short phrases I used to shut down the conversation included: I can’t. It didn’t work out. No, I’m not.

No further explanation necessary (though I completely understand feeling the need to explain). This “guilt” might take a while to go away completely, and it’s honestly something that I still struggle with. I’m here to tell you that mom guilt over this topic does nothing but make you miserable, so do whatever you need to do to tell your mind and body that what you’re doing is okay. A healthy mom creates a healthy baby.

Think you’re alone in stopping before the “recommended” guidelines?

A 2013 study completed by the NIH states

Approximately 60% of mothers who stopped breastfeeding did so earlier than desired. Early termination was positively associated with mothers’ concerns regarding: (1) difficulties with lactation; (2) infant nutrition and weight; (3) illness or need to take medicine; and (4) the effort associated with pumping milk.

This article, titled ‘Dear Pediatrician: Is It Okay If I Don’t Breastfeed?’ was published / updated in July of 2022 by Forbes Health. It comments

Canadian and U.S. surveys have shown 10% to 32% of mothers never begin breastfeeding and 4% stop within the first week of life. An additional 14% of mothers stop nursing before their baby is 2 months old. Fortunately, there are safe and nutritious alternatives to human milk.

These studies and articles are obviously not an all inclusive list, and I always strongly encourage that you do your own research before making an important life decision.

I also really do understand the mom guilt that comes with weaning from breastfeeding. All I can say from one mom’s perspective is this: Since I weaned, I feel 10000% better from a mental health standpoint (my postpartum depression improved significantly), my baby is thriving, and I am able to show up for my baby in ways I never was when I was breastfeeding and pumping.

So how do you actually stop breastfeeding? I can only speak from my own experience, but I hope you find my own journey helpful in yours.

How long did it take and how did I do it?

The short answer is that how long it takes for your milk supply to dry up will vary. I personally was only ever pumping 2oz every 2-3 hours at most, so my milk dried up within one week. Because I was so devastated that my whole postpartum experience wasn’t what I thought it would be, I just wanted to get it over with and weaned faster than I probably should have. I was constantly reading articles like How to Dry Up Your Breast Milk Supply  and 7 Methods to Dry Up Breast Milk (and 3 Methods to Avoid).

It is recommended to wean gradually and reduce the number of pumping sessions gradually. I did this for about 2 days, and then essentially went cold turkey (again, not recommended). I basically

• Completely put my pump away.
• Hand expressed only, in a warm shower or with my Haakaa.
• Was not feeling well at the time, and had taken Sudafed for a few days in a row. I did not know at the time that Sudafed, or Pseudoephrine, can suppress lactation. Though this is not recommended by physicians and is considered an off label use, I kind of accidentally shut down my milk production. Talk to your doctor about this one.
• Cabocreme (see below). An absolute lifesaver!

Because I weaned more aggressively than I probably should have, my milk supply dwindled within the week. This will vary for everyone.

I love the resources on La Leche League International, and do think their guidance on weaning  was extremely helpful if you are planning to wean more gradually than I did.

Was it painful?

I would be lying if I said it was the most comfortable thing in the world. My breasts felt engorged and tender to the touch for about 5-7 days during my week of weaning. Some things I did to reduce the discomfort included:

• Cabocreme. Applying this lotion every few hours was easier, better smelling, and way more convenient than slapping cold cabbage leaves on my boobs. This is the #1 product I would recommend to relieve engorgement and help decrease your supply. I would buy it again a thousand times over.
• Ice packs that can be placed in your bra, though a bag of frozen peas works extremely well too.
• Over the counter medications such as Ibuprofen and Tylenol, alternated every 6 hours.
• Disposable nursing pads. Your boobs will likely leak at some point during this process.
• No tight sports bras. “Binding” your breasts is no longer recommended. It’s also extremely painful to squeeze your already tender boobs into a tight bra!
• Hand expression only (no pumping) in a warm shower, just until the pressure was relieved. You can use a breast massager as well, but I found that hand expression worked very well to get out any “kinks” I felt in my breasts.
• Filling a Haaka Silicone Breast Pump with warm water and Epsom salt and placing on each breast for 15 minutes at a time. This relieved engorgement significantly and allowed my breasts to empty without any pain.

Is there anything I should look out for?

• Breast Mastitis. If you think you may have developed mastitis, contact your provider immediately. It is serious, painful, and something that requires medical attention.
• Emotional instability, otherwise known as post-weaning depression.  This article  gives a great overview into the causes of post-weaning depression, symptoms, how to prevent it, and how long it lasts. I definitely felt this, but it went away within 2 (maybe 3) weeks at most.

Overall, I know this was the best decision for me and my baby, and while I understand the fear and guilt that comes with weaning, I highly encourage you making this decision if it is what’s right for you and your family.