Babies don’t usually self-wean until they are around 18 months old. There are, however, a number of things that could cause your baby to lose interest in breastfeeding temporarily before then. If you are hoping to wean your baby before 18 months, you could gently use one of these periods as a way of encouraging your baby to wean.

True self-weaning is a very gradual process, and it can take months for your baby to stop breastfeeding. He may slowly begin to reduce the number of feeds he has throughout the day until he is having just one or two. Self-weaning occurs when your baby gives up that feed of his own accord. If you want to initiate weaning sooner, you can gently encourage your baby to gradually reduce feeds over a few weeks or months.

Why has my baby lost interest in breastfeeding?

It is not uncommon for babies aged around nine or 10 months old to temporarily lose interest in breastfeeding. This could be because:

• your baby is eating more solids – as your baby’s reliance on solid food grows, he’ll need less breastmilk to fill up his tummy. Though your baby has been eating solid food for months now, it may have taken him a while to start getting most of his nutrients this way. You’ve probably noticed that your baby feeds less frequently and for shorter periods now that he’s enjoying three meals a day.
• bottles are faster – if you’ve recently introduced a bottle, your baby may have grown accustomed to the flow of milk from a bottle. When breastfeeding, your baby needs to suckle before milk is released. For a baby used to getting milk straight away from a bottle, this can be frustrating.
• your baby is going through a developmental stage – the first year of life is pretty hectic for babies. They are developing lots of new emotional, social and physical skills. You may have noticed that your baby goes through short periods where he doesn’t seem quite himself, only for him to impress you with a new skill a few days later. During these developmental phases, your baby may be fussy, distracted and grumpy, all of which can interfere with breastfeeding.
• your baby is teething – some babies find breastfeeding soothes their gums, but others would rather skip the breastfeeds when their gums are sore. If your baby is teething, this could be what’s making him resist feeds.
• your baby is unwell – if your baby has a blocked nose, he may struggle to breathe during breastfeeds. Try gently suctioning the snot from your baby’s nose before feeds. You could also try breastfeeding in a steamy bathroom to help clear his airways during the feed.

If you would like to continue breastfeeding, you’ll need to keep offering your baby feeds during the day. Using a sling or carrier for skin-to-skin may encourage your baby to feed. Be patient and try to follow your baby’s lead.

Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

If you’re currently reading this over a pair of ginormous boobs, you may be wondering how you can relieve breast engorgement. They might look pretty spectacular, but engorged breasts can be tender, sore and downright painful. When your milk comes in, your breasts can change overnight. All of a sudden, they’re huge and uncomfortable. If you’re not enjoying your surgery-free boob job, you can try the following tips to reduce engorgement:

1. Wear a comfortable bra

As a new mother, comfort is probably quite high on your agenda. A soft nursing bra could be the answer to your problems. Underwired and unsupportive bras could be making matters worse, so invest in a decent nursing bra. Many moms find that sleeping in a nursing bra helps them to get comfortable at night. Don’t worry, the engorgement won’t last forever. As your supply adjusts to the needs of your baby, it will get easier. Until then, a decent nursing bra is your uniform.

2. Breastfeed your baby

The best and most effective way to relieve breast engorgement is to feed your baby. Newborn babies feed regularly thanks to their tiny tummies. If your breasts feel uncomfortable, try offering your baby a feed. Massage your breast during feeds to help the flow of milk and encourage the breasts to empty effectively.

3. Avoid formula milk and pacifiers

According to UNICEF, the use of pacifiers and formula milk can reduce the amount of time spent at the breast. Reducing the frequency of breastfeeding can lead to engorgement. It is important to offer your baby the breast regularly during those first few months of life.

4. Express milk

If your baby isn’t hungry, expressing some milk may help to relieve your discomfort. You should be careful not to over pump because this could lead to an oversupply of milk. Instead, limit yourself to just 10 minutes of pumping or less. You can express milk by hand or with a breast pump. There are plenty of different pumps on the market, so you’ll need to play around with different ones until you find one you like. There are manual pumps and electric pumps, and you’ll need to see which type you prefer. You may be able to borrow a pump from a friend or hire one from your local breastfeeding support group. You don’t have to use an expensive pump, you can hand express to relieve some pressure. If you’re struggling to get the hang of hand expressing, try it in the shower, the warm water is thought to help.

5. Use a cold compress

Using a cold compress between feeds can help. You can buy specialist breast compresses that can be easily kept in the fridge, or you can create your own by wrapping an ice pack in a blanket. Hold the compress to your breast for up to 20 minutes. Some moms use cabbage leaves as a cold compress. Simply tear off some leaves that have been chilled in the fridge and place directly in your bra for up to 20 minutes.

If the above tips don’t help, contact your local lactation consultant for advice. If you have flu-like symptoms and a fever you could be suffering from mastitis, contact your healthcare provider immediately if this is the case.

Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.