Temporary Weaning

Temporary weaning is a period in which mom and/or baby are not capable of breastfeeding, during this time mom will need to continue to keep her milk supply up by expressing either by pumping or by hand expression.

Some moms find that after a temporary weaning period baby will refuse to breastfeed…this is usually due to low milk supply or nipple confusion.

Reasons why mom might need to temporarily wean

- Medications that mom needs to take that are dangerous to take while breastfeeding will mean a period of weaning while mom is on these medications…read more about medicine and breastfeeding

- Mom or baby is in hospital and unable to breastfeed for a period of time

- Some moms stop breastfeeding due to Jaundice…which is not always necessary…read more about Jaundice and breastfeeding here.

- Herpes infections on the breast

- Skin irritations that might only be solved through baby drinking a specific formula. This is usually done after mom has tried to eliminate certain culprit foods from her diet. Read more about food allergies here.

Things you can do to ensure that you can breastfeed again after a weaning period

- During the period of weaning mom should consider using alternative feeding methods instead of giving baby an artificial nipple.

- To increase your milk supply you will need to stimulate your breasts extra by either nursing more often or pumping in-between nursing sessions.

- Other ways of increasing breast milk supply

- Once baby is nursing again mom can allow baby to comfort feed for extra breast stimulation.

- Try using galactogogues for increasing milk supply (herbal and drug)

- Breastfeed baby on demand to increase milk production

Tips on how to keep your milk supply up during temporary weaning

- Use an electric breast pump if you have to use a pump, the electric breast pumps will stimulate breast milk production much more efficiently than a manual one. Read more on how to choose the best breast pump for your specific situation.

- Breast massage can help get your milk flowing and keep up a good supply

- If your milk supply has not been established yet it's best to pump at least eight times per 24 hours, each pumping session should consist of at least 45 minutes. Don’t worry if only small amounts are expressed…this is normal in the beginning, especially in the first few days as you will only be producing about a tsp of colostrum at a time.

- Pump at least once through the night too…this will not only increase supply, but decrease engorgement.

- Never go more than three hours without pumping.

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