How To Stop Breastfeeding: Quickly, Naturally And More

While deciding when to stop breastfeeding is ultimately a personal decision, the World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding exclusively until an infant is six months old, notes Camilla Nicole Butera, a lactation consultant for LaVie Mom, a company that sells lactation massagers. Similarly, the AAP’s official policy on breastfeeding recommends exclusively breastfeeding until six months after birth and then continuing breastfeeding as long as it’s mutually desired by the mother and baby for two years and beyond with the addition of complementary foods.

“There are so many scenarios where a parent may choose to stop breastfeeding. The common thread is when the parent feels breastfeeding is no longer benefiting them and their child emotionally or physically,” says Ruth Hale, a lactation consultant, newborn care specialist, postpartum doula and owner of Birth to Breast, a lactation consulting service. This stopping point can occur at any time in the feeding journey up to when the child is six years old, says Hale.

Rima Abu-Isa Thierry, a lactation counselor and postpartum doula with INNATE Traditions, echoes this, saying, “You get to decide when to start weaning. It’s really about knowing yourself and your baby and considering what’s working and what isn’t.”

Sometimes, though, it may not be possible for a parent to breastfeed or a parent may choose to use formula instead. Formula delivers the same essential nutrients as breast milk, helping babies follow a healthy growth curve.

Some parents choose to suppress lactation from the beginning and use infant formula instead, explains Hale. She adds that some parents want to breastfeed but encounter overwhelming challenges without enough support, so they are unable to continue. Additionally, some women stop simply because they feel done with the breastfeeding stage.

All three lactation experts say that, ideally, stopping breastfeeding is done gradually, both for nutritional reasons and because it can take time for a baby to adapt to change. “Babies’ primary source of nutrition for the first year is breastmilk or formula, so unless a parent has stored breast milk, their baby will have to start formula [until they are one year old],” says Hale. However there are times when someone may have to stop breastfeeding abruptly, which may be the case if the lactating parent is diagnosed with a medical condition or starting a certain medication, says Butera.

Being diagnosed with a medical condition or starting a new medication does not always mean breastfeeding is no longer safe. In each case, it’s important to talk to your doctor.

If you do need to stop breastfeeding abruptly, you can continue to pump your breasts to relieve fullness and help prevent mastitis. Do not feed this milk to your baby if there is a medical reason to avoid giving your baby your breast milk. Butera and Thierry say that expressing a small amount of milk can help with comfort while milk production slows, however, they warn against draining the breast completely or the body will keep producing more milk.

Some studies show that drinking peppermint tea can help breast milk production to slow, however, women should consult their doctor before trying it, notes Butera. Some birth control medications and/or decongestants can also slow milk production, again, under the guidance of your doctor. Additionally, Butera advises putting a cold compress (such as a cloth or cabbage leaves) on the breast to help with discomfort from stopping breastfeeding.

One method to stop breastfeeding is by using a bottle to replace a feeding session once every few days, and slowly increasing how often you are using a bottle instead of breastfeeding, says Hale. Then, try to transition from using a bottle for one feeding of the day to two feedings per day and so on.

Since breastfeeding is also a time of bonding and comfort, it can be helpful to integrate a soothing ritual during the transition period, says Thierry. For example, if you sing a lullaby to your baby while you breastfeed, continue to sing the lullaby during the bottle feeding or when you transition to the baby’s first foods.

If you are transitioning to food, it can be helpful to establish a breakfast ritual. It can also be helpful to hold the baby and either sing a lullaby or give them a little massage after they’re done eating, explains Thierry. That way, they are still feeling the comfort and love they are used to getting during breastfeeding.

If you notice a change in your mood as you stop breastfeeding, this is not unusual, says Butera. “There is something called the ‘weaning blues’ mom may encounter,” she says. “This is due to hormonal shifts occurring in the body.”

With weaning, prolactin (a hormone connected to feeling calm) will decrease, so some women feel a sense of unease or anxiety when they are stopping breastfeeding, she says. Oxytocin (a hormone connected to happiness) decreases as well, which may cause mood changes. To help with the weaning blues, Butera suggests making a more conscious effort to engage in activities that give you joy and to talk to your doctor if you start feeling depressed and need help coping.

While weaning, an individual may need to pump to minimize breast discomfort. “If a parent is pumping, they can either increase the time in between pump sessions by 15 to 30 minutes or decrease the time pumping by two or five minutes,” says Hale. “Always listen to your breasts; if they feel uncomfortable, pump until comfortable, not empty,” she explains.

Similarly, when someone must stop breastfeeding abruptly, those who are pumping or expressing milk to relieve discomfort during this transition period should avoid draining the breast completely, Butera explains. Otherwise, the body will continue to produce the same amount of milk rather than decrease supply.

Even when stopping breastfeeding gradually, it isn’t unusual to experience swollen or engorged breasts. Besides expressing some of the milk, applying a cold compress to the breasts can help with swelling and pain, suggests Butera.

Over-the-counter pain relievers are safe to take when you are breastfeeding as well as when you are stopping breastfeeding and can be used to minimize pain.

When breastfeeding is stopped abruptly, there is an increased risk of clogged milk ducts. When pressure builds up behind a clogged milk duct, it can cause a sore lump or knot in the breast. If this happens, Thierry recommends seeing a health care provider, though a hot shower or applying a warm washcloth over the breast while expressing can help drain the clogged duct.

When stopping breastfeeding, there is also an increased risk of mastitis, a spectrum of breast inflammation with possible infection. While mastitis can happen at any time during breastfeeding, it is most commonly caused by milk not being removed from the breasts. This is why stopping breastfeeding suddenly can increase the risk of developing mastitis.

Signs of mastitis include a swollen area or lump on the breast, burning breast pain (that is either constant or only felt when breastfeeding), nipple discharge and flu-like symptoms. If you are experiencing any of these signs, the lactation experts suggest seeing a health care provider for treatment. Sometimes antibiotics are prescribed.

Stopping breastfeeding too soon may negatively affect a baby. Scientific studies show that babies who were never breastfed or weaned early have higher risks of diarrhea, lower respiratory tract infections and other health conditions^[1]Meek JY and Noble L. Policy Statement: Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk. Pediatrics. 2022. 150(1): e2022057988. . Early infancy is a key period for an infant’s gut microbiome development. Breastfeeding leads to the abundance of bifidobacterium in the infant’s gut, which is hugely important to the baby’s immune system. While scientific studies do show that babies fed breast milk have a lower risk of obesity and certain health conditions than formula-fed babies, it bears repeating that if a parent is unable to breastfeed, infant formula can effectively provide an infant with the nutrients they need^[2]Comparing Infant Formulas with Human Milk. Infant Formula: Evaluating the Safety of New Ingredients. Accessed 8/2/2023. .

In terms of how long it takes for breast milk to dry up and stop being produced, all three experts say this varies depending on the person. It’s often dependent on how long mom breastfed for and her milk production, notes Butera.

“Weaning or involution [death of mammary cells] typically takes around 40 days, but parents may notice drops years later if they hand express,” says Hale. The decrease in mammary cells is why breasts tend to get smaller after breastfeeding, returning to their pre pregnancy size.

If you stop breastfeeding and decide you ultimately aren’t ready yet, experts say you can start again as long as you are still producing breast milk. “Milk production is supply and demand,” says Butera. Removing milk frequently tells your body to make more milk. She recommends encouraging (but not forcing) the baby to latch every three hours. “Mother can hand express after each feeding to remove as much milk as possible,” she adds.

If the baby doesn’t want to latch or isn’t effectively and efficiently draining the breast, Butera encourages using an electric breast pump, pumping every three hours to start. Stimulating the breasts with pumping for a few minutes, even if no milk is flowing, encourages production.

There are times when it’s important to see a doctor due to health issues that can happen as you stop breastfeeding. If you are experiencing any signs of mastitis, it’s important to see a doctor. If you have a breast lump or bulge that has not gone away in a few days, Butera says this is another time to seek medical care.

When it comes to stopping breastfeeding, experts reiterate that it’s a deeply personal decision and there is no exact right time for everyone. As you make this decision, pay attention to your body and don’t be afraid to reach out to a health care provider or lactation consultant if you have any questions or concerns. With guidance, you and your baby can both move to the next exciting stage of childhood with ease.