Breastfeeding:Reasons for stopping

Why would a woman stop breastfeeding her baby?

For all its health benefits, breast-feeding does have some disadvantages. In the early weeks, it can be painful. A woman's nipples may become sore or cracked. She may experience engorgement more than a bottle-feeding mother, when the breasts become so full of milk they're hard and painful. Some nursing women also develop clogged milk ducts, which can lead to mastitis, a painful infection of the breast. While most nursing problems can be solved with home remedies, mastitis requires prompt medical care (see accompanying article).

Another possible disadvantage of nursing is that it affects a woman's entire lifestyle. A nursing mother with baby-in-tow must wear clothes that enable her to nurse anywhere, or she'll have to find a private place to undress. She should eat a balanced diet and she might need to avoid foods that irritate the baby. She also shouldn't smoke, which can cause vomiting, diarrhea and restlessness in the baby, as well as decreased milk production.

Women who plan to go back to work soon after birth will have to plan carefully if they want to breast-feed. If her job allows, a new mother can pump her breast milk several times during the day and refrigerate or freeze it for the baby to take in a bottle later. Or, some women alternate nursing at night and on weekends with daytime bottles of formula.

In either case, a nursing mother is physically tied to her baby more than a bottle-feeding mother. The baby needs her for nourishment, and she needs to nurse regularly to avoid getting uncomfortably full breasts. But instead of feeling it's a chore, nursing mothers often cite this close relationship as one of the greatest joys of nursing. Besides, nursing mothers can get away between feedings if they need a break.

Finally, some women just don't feel comfortable with the idea of nursing. They don't want to handle their breasts, or they want to think of them as sexual, not functional. They may be concerned about modesty and the possibility of having to nurse in public. They may want a break from child care to let someone else feed the baby, especially in the wee hours of the morning.

If a woman is unsure whether she wants to nurse, she can try it for a few weeks and switch if she doesn't like it. It's very difficult to switch to breast-feeding after bottle-feeding is begun.

If she plans to breast-feed, a new mother should learn as much as possible about it before the baby is born. Obstetricians, pediatricians, childbirth instructors, nurses, and midwives can all offer information about nursing. But perhaps the best ongoing support for a nursing mother is someone who has successfully nursed a baby.

Comments: Breastfeeding - Reasons-for-stopping

Comments 1 to 7 of about 7.

Legacy of the Trinity - 43 days ago.
I still have a bit of milk and I stopped BF at 5 weeks and she is 4 months now. I'm sure I could increase my supply and return to breastfeeding if necessary as she still can latch on. I don't think she would want it anymore as she already take 7 oz of formula at each feeding.

TwinklinBrwnEyes - 166 days ago.
I stopped nursing my baby when he was 3 weeks and I regret it. So please think it out before you stop, its hard on the emotions =(

sazzy - 249 days ago.
Hey, i was wondering if any one can help. i stopped breastfeeding my little girl about 3 weeks almost 4 weeks ago. she just decided she no longer wanted me, refusing me at every feed. i was only feeding of a morning and last thing at night, for about 3 weeks before she decided she didnt want me then. I was wondering how long i could be waiting for my periods' to return? i want to start the pill, as the mini pill was not good for me. but i have been told to wait for my first day of period to start it! x

babybehappy - 339 days ago.
crystal10102007 - My sister-in-law had milk up to a year after she stopped breastfeeding. I guess it just depends on your body. Sage and parsley will dry up your milk. You can probably get them in capsule form from a health food store.

crystal10102007 - 340 days ago.
My daughter is now 14 months old and I stopped breastfeeding when she was 9.5 months old. That is four and a half months ago, and I still have milk! I am not engorged but sometimes at night I stil leak a little if I am lying on my stomach, and if I express to see if it is still there I still have quite a bit! Does anyone else have this problem! I am wondering when it will dry up completely.

Bri - 346 days ago.
Sarah M - So I'm not a doctor but from what I've read weaning can be as hard on your body as PPD. Seriously, the hormones are all out of sorts right now. My answer would be yes, totally possible. I haven't started to wean yet but from the books I've been reading say to watch out for depression. Especially if you don't want to stop. I love breastfeeding. My son is 13 months and I plan on weaning at 18. It's scary that it's only five months away. I never want that time to come and already feel a little depressed about it. I'm sure I'm going to be a wreck when the time comes. I'm sorry you couldn't continue. I'm sure you will be fine but if you start to feel like it is out of control please call your doctor.

Sarah M - 347 days ago.
My baby is 8 and a half months old, I stopped breastfeeding about 3 weeks ago, before that though I was only nursing in the morning at the weekend and expressing morning and night to provide ebm when I was at work. I didn't want to stop but I just couldn't express enough (I got about 1-2oz each time) and he didn't get enough when feeding (he lost interest too and would be more worried about things he could see to play with even when i minimised distraction). The thing is this last couple of weeks I have been really irritable - is this anything to do with stopping? I feel really emotional and am crying lots and have been really snappy towards my dh. Is this normal? I have had a stressful couple of weeks at work aswell but not sure if this is a hormonal thing or a stressful job thing - please help before I drive my husband crazy!!!