Changes That Come with Weaning

When weaning your baby off the breast, here’s what to keep in mind:

The baby’s bowel movements will become firmer and more brown, rather than yellow.
If your baby is not yet a year old, replace the fluids in her diet with formula, rather than whole milk.
Be sure that the solid foods you offer your infant are healthy and varied—with lots of veggies and fruits!
You may experience some sadness as well as a feeling of loss because of changes in hormone levels and the overall adjustment to weaning. Replace your special breastfeeding time with more cuddling time, such as talking or reading a story together, to help you both make the change and continue to feel close.
Although milk production stops within a few months for some women, it can take as long as 6 months for hormones to return to pre-pregnancy levels. Some women will leak a little bit or be able to hand express some milk for years after stopping breastfeeding, which is perfectly normal.
If you’re scheduled for a mammogram in the next 6 to 12 months, tell the radiologist that you’ve been breastfeeding a baby recently. Your breasts can appear denser even months after weaning.