When the time comes to wean your little one, consider Minbie to help you with successful weaning from the breast. No other bottle feeding system offers such a similarity to the breastfeeding experience so whether you’ve been breastfeeding for a matter of days, weeks, months or more, we're here to help you both with this huge milestone. Whatever your reason to wean bub, whether it’s due to low weight gain, a return to work or bub is old enough to enjoy a broader diet, it pays to remember that every baby is different in the way they react and adapt to the change. After simply enjoying feeding from your breast, bub is about to embark on the next stage of their feeding journey and the good news is Minbie's here to help you both make it as seamless as possible.
Choosing to offer a Minbie teat when you’re weaning your baby off the breast will enable bub to continue feeding with the same technique they’ve used since birth. This will go a long way to making the process less disruptive and therefore an easier transition for mum & bub. The Minbie teat is designed to replicate bub’s instinctive breastfeeding motion, so they’ll still be able to use the latch they’ve mastered and pace their feed every time they enjoy their milk just as they always have.
When do I start weaning my baby?
You may be feeling a little ‘emosh’ that bub is moving on from exclusively breastfeeding. We hear you! It pays to remember though that breast milk provides all the nourishment our little ones need for the first 6 months of life and will always be nutritious for bub whatever their age (incredible right?). So, if you're not ready to give up completely, you can take your time slowly dropping feeds & expressing in preparation for the bottle feeds you're introducing! Some babies continue to breastfeed well into toddlerhood so you’ve got a little time ahead of you yet!
If you and bub are happy to continue with a few breastfeeds, and it works with your body & your schedule, there's no reason to put an end to it altogether. (You may find bub beginning to self wean around 9-12 months, so this could be the perfect time to go with the flow and let bub lead the way.) Whatever stage you're at on your breastfeeding journey, it's a good idea to be guided by your little one, be gentle on each other and let Minbie lend a helping hand.
Is it ok to wean off the breast sooner rather than later? I'm going back to work!
The decision to stop or reduce breastfeeding is ultimately yours, and let’s face it, you know yourself and your baby better than anyone. Ultimately, you have to do what works for you both. Having said that, it’s always easier to wean when bub is compliant and takes the lead. Of course, if you’re heading back to work or need to wean for other reasons, it is doable, it might just take a little more time and patience.
There are some instances when you should perhaps put off weaning. These include times when:
- Bub is sick: Making changes when your baby isn’t feeling tip top will make the process a little more tricky. It’s best to wait for a better day!
- Breastfeeding has been tough: We hear you mama!! Some days things just don’t seem to go to plan! You’re tired, they’re grumpy, you’re in pain and fed up! When you’re having a bad day (or week) just breathe it out and wait a little longer before making any decisions on weaning.
- Bub is teething: Ouchie! Poor bub doesn’t need any changes to their routine right now. If at all possible give it a few days for the teething symptoms to calm down and for sleep to regain some kind of normality.
- Change is happening: Heading back to work, moving house, or getting a new au pair can be stressful for you, let alone bub. If these big changes are coming, perhaps begin slowly weaning off a few breastfeeds ahead of time so that you’re both ready when the day comes.
How can Minbie help me wean my baby?
When the time comes, consider Minbie to help you with successful weaning from the breast. No other bottle feeding system offers such a similarity to the breastfeeding experience. The shape of the Minbie teat is what sets it apart from others, along with the smart design of the ergonomic bottles making them easier for bub to hold and self feed.
Arming yourself with a comfortable, portable & efficient breast pump will be life changing! You’ll have the freedom to pump and store to your schedule whether you’re at home or on the go. Pair the Minbie breast pump with our award winning bottle feeding system and you can be sure you’ve got the very best support for this next stage of feeding your baby.