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Weaning is the term usually used to describe
the process of cessation of breastfeeding after a period of
successful breastfeeding. This usually involves the addition
of foods to the infant's diet and/or the replacement of breast
milk in the infant diet with another type of milk (formula or
whole milk). Maternal physiology, infant nutritional needs,
infant development especially the development of biting and
chewing, and cultural issues all play a role in the timing of
weaning. Weaning can be baby/child led or mother led
(
Lawrence, 2005
p357-375).
The American Academy of Pediatrics
recommends "There is no upper limit to the duration of
breastfeeding and no evidence of psychologic or developmental
harm from breastfeeding into the third year of life or
longer" (
AAP Breastfeeding, 2005
). Weaning is also a
time of emotional transition for the mother. This can include
feelings of accomplishment, sadness that breastfeeding is
ending, and the sadness and happiness that the infant is no
longer a baby and is becoming a child.
Weaning is best accomplished in a gradual manner with the replacement
of one breastfeeding at a time with food, formula or whole milk in a
cup or a bottle. If one half of the breastfeeding dyad initiates
weaning and the other half of the dyad objects vigorously, weaning may
need to be slowed down or temporarily halted. For many mothers the
breastfeedings in the early morning or before bed at night are the
last to be discontinued.
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