It's a common saying that when it comes to feeding your baby, breast is best.  Moms are busy on instagram popularizing this hashtag and calling mama's milk liquid gold.

With that in mind, why are so many of us are choosing to move to the bottle sooner than later?

Now we certainly promote that mom should do what feels best for her and her baby.  Fed is best, ultimately and no matter what.  Many moms have trouble breastfeeding, or baby decides he/she doesn't want to.  There's these things called teeth too!

There are a multitude of understandable reasons why breastfeeding may stop in the early months.  Whether you use bottle or breast, it is all good, but for the sake of diving into the subject at hand a little deeper, let's look into it. 

Stopping breastfeeding too soon can deprive your baby of the vitamins and minerals needed for growth. It can also alter the relationship you both share.

Studies show that 44% of new mothers breastfeed in the first 6 months. But only 15% rely on it as the primary means for their baby's nutrition up until the 6-month mark.

Why is breast best and if it truly is, why are so many of us choosing to stop at 3-6 months?

Let's explore some common problems, the causes of premature weaning, and how to tell when your baby is ready to move to solid foods.

The Role of Breast Feeding in the Development of Your Baby

Breastfeeding is essential to the development, growth and health of your baby. Breast milk is jam-packed with vitamins and minerals, especially in those first weeks. 

The levels of colostrum in your breast milk are at their highest in the first few days following your baby's birth. Colostrum is a rich substance that contains important immune-boosting immunoglobulin which stops your child from developing illnesses.

It takes a few days for milk to come through after birth, but the colostrum levels are so concentrated that a little goes a long way.

The American Academy of Paediactrics states that breast feeding can help protect against respiratory illnesses, ear infections, gastrointestinal diseases, and allergies like asthma, eczema and atopic dermatitis.

It also reduces the rate of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) by over a third and reduces the risk of adolescent and adult obesity by 15-30%. 

Breast feeding is so good for children, experts say it will still give them benefits right up to 6 years of age. It also may have benefits for you; breast feeding isn't just great for baby--it can also be used as a means of birth control for up to 6 months.  This is because continuous breast feeding stops your body from making the hormone needed to kickstart monthly ovulation. If done correctly, it can be 99% effective.

Heck, you can make beauty creams out of breastmilk.  You can put it on bites and scratches.  There are all kinds of hacks for it!  And yep, you can freeze breastmilk to store it!

Breastfeeding is a great way for new mothers to lose baby weight, too. You can burn 500 more calories a day just by breastfeeding, which comes in handy if you're trying to get back to your pre-baby weight in a healthy way.  That is with clean, nutrient dense eating habits.

When the benefits are this good, why choose to stop sooner than necessary? 

Why Are We Stopping Breastfeeding So Soon?

Unfortunately, figures from the NHS show that 90% of women who are stopping breast feeding early don't actually want to give it up. So why are they?

Breastfeeding problems, like mastitis, cracked nipples, clogged milk ducts, or trouble getting the baby to latch can kickstart the weaning process early. 

Experts state that many of these issues can be overcome. And it's worth trying to find solutions if it means keeping your baby on the breast for a little longer.   Even if you baby has those lil' teeth, there are ways to learn to keep your baby from biting you.

Pressure from society is another factor in stopping breastfeeding. Many women report being made to feel unwelcome or even embarrassed for feeding their baby in public. This could be due to the media's over-sexualization of the breast.  It's sad that moms need to feel that way.  Sometimes new moms can fill their wardrobe with nursing friendly clothing to overcome the insecurities and taboo stigma that society has created.

A return to work after maternity leave also forces new mothers to start the weaning process early.  Work can cause schedule problems for mom and have her feeling conflicted as a mom and as an employee.  However, there are ways to continue to exclusively feed your baby breastmilk even though you are working.

It's important to remember that there are ways to do both at once, such as expressing at work or making arrangements with HR. Explore your options before you resort to weaning early because giving your baby breastmilk, even as a working mama, can be done.

When Is The Perfect Time to Wean?

The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding till 6 months of age, but only you and your baby will know when the time is right. 

It's agreed that the best method is to breast feed until 6 months. After that, you can gradually introduce solid foods into your baby's diet while continuing to use breast milk for nutrition.   (You could also still exclusively breastfeed)

At this point, solid foods are purely for taste, texture and learning the technique of chewing and swallowing. Your baby is unlikely to digest solid foods until they reach the age of 9 to 12 months.  Breastmilk is still essential for nutrition, but there are signs baby might want to try other things.

You'll know that your baby is ready to make the transition because they'll start showing an interest in what other people are eating. You'll also find that they stop rejecting solid foods given to them. 

Another good indicator is the rate of your baby's development. Once their neck muscles are strong enough to support the head, you might consider stopping breastfeeding and moving on to bottle feeding.

How To Start Weaning

The best way to tackle weaning is to cut out whichever daily feeding session your baby seems least interested in. Maybe during playtime in the afternoon and during playdates where they are distracted and will find plenty of interest in a breastmilk momsicle than the boob.  You can progress by slowly cutting back and transitioning to solid foods.  Introduce the bottle throughout the day, little by little each day.

This slow elimination makes the process easier on you and the baby emotionally. It also helps prevent clogged ducts or mastitis. Plus, your baby's natural immune system will increase slowly as you reduce the breast milk doses.

You can use this integration period to help introduce your baby to the exciting world of solid food. Try pureeing a little of what you're having for your own meals. You can even try soft-textured foods like avocado, banana and yogurt.

It's important to remember that although there are recommended guidelines for how long you should breastfeed, only you will know when the time is right and what works for you.

Looking Forward

If you're feeling pressured into stopping breastfeeding before you're ready, especially if there are friends or family making you feel uncomfortable, try some of these techniques and find one that works for you. They'll give you options and help make the transition far smoother. 

By overcoming some of these common obstacles and knowing that you aren't alone, you can continue to give your baby the essential nutrition they need for much longer. 

For more information on how long you should breastfeed, check out our article on the average age to transition your child away from breastfeeding.

Whatever you do mama, keep up the good work.  You're inspiring those around you even though you may not know it!

Discover our breastfeeding friendly clothing.

Are you worried about your milk supply? Discover our 10 tips to increase lactation.

Weaning is a personal choice.

As we've said before, there is no set time to stop. Some do it when their child is a year old, while others do it when breastfeeding ceases to be enjoyable. Some moms breastfeed much older babies and toddlers and do not wean till later than the "social norm".

Whatever your reasons for stopping breastfeeding, it's important to remember that your baby will still need lots of your attention.

Weaning doesn't mean losing that special bond with your child. It just means that your relationship has evolved and that you're ready to explore other ways to bond with and nurture your baby.

Now, if you've come to a decision to end your breastfeeding journey, there are some things you need to know so you won't be caught off guard.

Some you may already know about like mood changes and the return of your menstrual cycle (if it hasn't already). So those who used breastfeeding as birth control, it's time to go back to preventative measures.

One area of concern for a lot of moms who want to wean is their breasts. In particular, what would happen to them once they stop breastfeeding?  This is a normal thought! We love our bodies and the fact that the female form can do miraculous things, but it doesn't mean we lose concern over the shape of our breasts. 

Let's take a closer look at how stopping breastfeeding changes a mother's breasts.

What's Phagocytosis?

You know what's really interesting about stopping breastfeeding? 

After breastfeeding is over, your boobs start to eat themselves.

Here's what happens:

During pregnancy, hormones cause epithelial cells lining ducts in the breasts to form alveoli, where milk is made. Once women stop breastfeeding, the alveoli self-destruct, with the epithelial cells eating their dead neighbors.

Phagocytosis is the process where the body's immune cells remove dead and dying cells. Sometimes, this is accompanied by inflammation, pain, and tissue damage. But this doesn't happen when stopping breastfeeding.  

As it turns out, there's a molecular switch, a protein known as Rac1 that controls the transformation of breasts from milk producers to cellular eaters. Rac1 is essential for both normal milk production and phagocytosis in immune cells. 

Without Rac1, dead cells and milk will flood the breasts. This then triggers swelling and inflammation. According to the scientists who have identified Rac1, further research is needed to explore the protein's role in breast cancer.

Why Do I Still Have Milk?

Stopping breastfeeding isn't like turning off a faucet. Some mothers who have weaned still get breastmilk when they hand express. It could take weeks to months for your milk to completely dry up. 

Remember, how much milk you produce depends on how often milk is removed from your breasts.

It's supply and demand.

If you suddenly stop breastfeeding when your baby is still feeding often, it can take a long time for your breasts to stop producing milk. 

On the other hand, if you're at that stage where your breasts aren't producing a lot of milk - maybe because you're nursing a toddler - it may be only a matter of days or weeks for your supply to reduce even further until your milk production completely ceases.

Is Sagging Normal?

Breastfeeding has been tagged as a culprit for a lot of things including stretch marks and saggy boobs.  Don't blame any sagging on breastfeeding...

The truth is that breastfeeding will not cause your breasts to sag. It's actually pregnancy that may contribute to sagging. 

You already know that breasts go through a lot of changes during pregnancy. The areolas get bigger, breasts increase in size, the ligaments that support the breasts stretch, and so on. These changes could lead to sagging whether you breastfeed or not.

Sagging also becomes more obvious with each additional pregnancy. Smoking, getting older, being overweight or obese, genetics, and lack of exercise are also factors that contribute to droopy boobs. 

After breastfeeding, your boobs may go back to their pre-pregnancy size. It's a process that can take several months to complete as your milk-making cells gradually shrink and fat cells get laid down again.

How do I Prevent Saggy Breasts?

There are plenty of tips out there that will help you keep your breasts from sagging after breastfeeding. 

But if you can only follow one tip, let it be this: wear a good supportive bra. The right support will ensure that your breasts are constantly supported. This helps prevent stretching of the ligaments that support the breasts, which is the number one cause of sagging. 

It goes without saying that you should also wear quality nursing tops. Wearing the right support and the right gear goes a long way in preventing the dreaded sag.  Sports bras work very well because they lack an underwire (which helps with not getting clogged ducts) and they are savvy to use when you have a fashionable and functional nursing top. All you have to do with a sports style bra is lift up or pull down which can sometimes be easier than a regular bra. These days, sports style bras have padding and come in sexy and fun colors and designs to go with your nursing wear.  Wear the right size that is snug in the right places and supportive.

Other things you can do to prevent drooping is to have proper posture when nursing your baby. You should also go back to exercising as soon as your doctor gives you the go signal.  Cardio barre, pop physique, pilates, and yoga are excellent workouts to evolve back into that tone and tighten your postpartum body.

Don't forget though to take it easy!  Just like weaning, go gradual in everything so your breasts don't change shape so dramatically. 

Losing weight too quickly can lead to loose, sagging skin. You don't want to lose too much fat tissue in the breast area. 

Some women also swear by certain moisturizers such as shea butter or vitamin E oil. Applying these to your breasts can help keep them supple. These can also reduce the appearance of stretch marks on the breasts.  Start moisturizing like this as soon as you can such as before or during pregnancy. 

And last but certainly not the least, follow a clean diet.  

Some foods that you may want to include in your diet to prevent saggy skin include complex carbs, healthy fats, foods rich in vitamins B and E, and protein.

Egg yolks and grass fed organic butter are also good for nursing mothers (in moderation). These foods contain arachidonic acid which keeps skin firm and tight. 

Avoid lots of sugar. This breaks down collagen and creates wrinkles.

What About Boob Exercises?

Sadly, there aren't any exercises you can do to specifically target breasts. Your boobs don't contain muscle. But you can do exercises for the chest muscles, specifically the pectoralis major muscle. Start easy and gradually go higher on weights as you gain strength.

Push-ups, for example, help elevate the breasts and give them a perkier look. Push ups are one of the best overall body exercises.  You can also do table top chest press, bridge chest flys, plank, and butterfly chest squeeze for stronger, firmer, more lifted chest.

Stopping Breastfeeding Soon?

Going back to work? Read on our top tips for pumping and working moms returning into the workforce. 

If you want to keep going, you may want to read our post about extended breastfeeding: Experts Say that Children up to Six Years Old can Benefit from Breastfeeding. 

Need to store your breastmilk? Read here on our tips for how to store your milk.

Or check the rest of our blog for nursing style and new mom survival tips.