Patient's question:
Nursing for over 10 months, I want to wean, but I produce a lot of milk, and my breasts are very large. Before pregnancy, I was a F-cup size, and they got even bigger while breastfeeding. Sometimes my breasts become very engorged every 4 to 5 hours. If I wean, I'm really worried that not feeding for a long time might lead to milk stagnation and cause mastitis. Please advise how to prevent this and how to reduce the severe pain during weaning.Hello: There are mainly two methods of weaning—natural weaning and artificial weaning. Generally speaking, those who wean after nursing for 10 months to 1 year and are weaning normally can often use the natural weaning method. However, those who wean due to various illnesses or special reasons before completing 10 months of nursing are more likely to...
Doctor's answer:
Generally, babies can be weaned between 8-10 months, but weaning should be done gradually. A baby's healthy growth requires the supplementation of various nutrients, so gradually introducing solid foods until a smooth transition to regular meals is a natural process. However, many young mothers often rush the weaning process, abruptly weaning their babies, which can instead lead to a sharp decline in appetite.We know that infants have very sensitive taste buds and are very picky about their food, especially those accustomed to breastfeeding, who often refuse other types of milk. Therefore, weaning should be done as naturally as possible, gradually reducing the frequency of breastfeeding. Even if the baby is at the weaning age, it is important to create a gradual adaptation process for them—never force it.
The correct approach is to appropriately extend the weaning period, reduce the frequency of feedings gradually, and slowly increase the variety and amount of solid foods. As long as young mothers adjust the feeding process appropriately, they can be confident that their babies will successfully navigate the weaning stage.