[yasminf]

I have been breastfeeding my son for almost 6 months since he was born. Now, I'm thinking of stop breastfeeding him, but I have no idea how I should start.

During the last few weeks, we started feeding him baby cereal mixed with banana, apple or veg, etc...once per day, sometimes, he could pass bowel everyday but sometimes, only passed once every 2-3 or 3-4 days. Therefore, I'm not sure whether I should kick off my plan to stop breastfeeding him & subsitite with formula milk ?? If so, which formula milk is good??

Please share your experience.

Thanks
Yasmin

[Wee Kean]

Hello Yasmin, it is normal for the baby to poo poo once every 3 to 4 days. I remembered my daughter used to not poo poo for almost a week. I was so worried and when I called my doctor, he said it is normal and absolutely fine. She is 13 months yesterday and I am still breastfeeding. She is having 3 solid meals a day. I really enjoy breastfeeding her and I think breastfeeding has so many benefits... now the weather is getting cooler and she is my "hot water bottle" :)

Procedure to wean your baby, please check this website: www.lalecheleague.org.

[barbwong_130]

I recommend the book The Nursing Mother's Guide to Weaning by Kathleen Huggins.

This book explores all aspects of weaning beginning with an historical survey of weaning practices and ending with weaning a child over three and life after weaning. It discusses reasons for weaning as well as reasons to delay weaning; offers practical and helpful advice that respects the needs and feelings of both mother and child. The book is split into chapters with different techniques to try for different aged babies as what will work for a six month old might not for a year old and vice versa.

It is available at http://www.shopinhk.com/product.php?productid=1241

Best wishes,
Barb

[yasminf]

Thank you so much for your sharings.

I do understand how good is for me & baby for breastfeeding, but 2 reasons for me to quit breastfeeding :

1. around 2 months ago, I was sick for 乳線炎 (sorry, don't know the English name), & the situation is not fully recovered yet. And most of my family members suggested me to quit breastfeeding for curing it.

2. not really convenience to pump milk, sometimes, inside the washroom or pantry without lock, so that it's too tense for me......

If possible, I really want to keep on going.........

[LLL_Sarah]

Dear Yasmin,

I believe the illness you are talking about is mastitis in English. If so, you should not still be having problems. If you are it is likely you never got rid of the infection or you are doing something which makes you prone to getting plugged ducts and mastitis.

Mastitis has several main causes:
 Poor latch/or infective suck
 Babies who are infective at the breast
 Consistent or sustained pressure at the breast
 Usual stress and fatigue and a weakened immune system
 Missed or shorted feedings and irregular breastfeeding patterns.
 Babies that start to sleep though the night either consistently or irregularly

If you have recurrent mastitis despite careful attention to the above main causes then:
 Failure to fully recover from the first mastitis
 Fatigue and stress
 Lowered resistance to infection
 Anemia
 An overabundant milk supply
 Nipple damage
 A clogged milk pore (bleb) or dried milk secretions on the nipple
 Use of nipple shields
 A baby who breastfeeds reluctantly or refuses the breast periodically.
 Constructive clothing
 Breast abnormalities
 Too much saturated fat in the diet
 Too much sodium intake
 Exposure to allergens
 Excessive upper arm exercises

The main treatment for mastitis is:
 Nurse frequently
 Rest
 Apply heat to the tender area
 Change positions as much as possible
 If you have a fever see the doctor and get antibiotics – this should be at least a 14 day course of treatment, especially if it is a recurrent mastitis

You might like to read the following web sites

My breast hurts. What can I do?
http://www.lalecheleague.org/FAQ/mastitis.html

What can I do about my repeated cases of mastitis?
http://www.lalecheleague.org/FAQ/repeatmastitis.html

If you would like to discuss this with me please feel free to call,
SARAH
La Leche League Leader
2548-7636