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Question

Can I stop breastfeeding at 3 months?

Can I stop breastfeeding at 3 months instead of 6 cause my family doesn’t know and I have to go back to work.

Answer

Thanks for getting in touch.

How long you breastfeed for is up to you. If you want to stop at 3 months then you can. If you’d like to continue to give your baby your milk, you could express it and give it to them in a bottle. Is this something that you’ve thought about?

If you do stop giving them your milk, its better that you don’t mix feed.

226 comments

  1. Roy Trevelion •

    Hi Maria,

    Congratulations on having a new baby.

    It’s good that you’re not going to mix feed. What does the clinic say about switching exclusively to formula? It’s a good idea to get their advice on this.

  2. Maria •

    Hi my baby is 3days old and already on nvp nd breastfeeding bt problem is I dnt have enough breastmilk so wanna start formula but am not gonna mixfeed. Is it gonna be problem?

  3. Roy Trevelion •

    Hi Esther,

    As Lisa says on this question, it’s better not to mix breastfeeding and formula. But switching back to exclusive breastfeeding should be okay. But it’s a good idea to talk to the clinic about any worries you have.

  4. Esther •

    Did exclusive for my baby 1month only n started giving formula for 10days…but I have switched back to exclusive breastfeeding…hope no harm??, plz help

  5. Lisa Thorley •

    Hi Aphiwe,

    Info about testing in babies can be found here: http://i-base.info/guides/pregnancy

  6. Aphiwe •

    Hi my name is Aphiwe N..my baby is13 days and i want to stop breastfeeding im Hiv on treatment also he has given nevarepin ..is there a chance he can be affectect by Hiv?

  7. Lisa Thorley •

    Hi unknown,

    Yes its possible to change from breast milk to formula. In fact in a lot of countries this is the prefered method.

  8. Unknown •

    Am breastfeeding mom and HIV +..I’ve been breastfeeding for about 8 days now and I just want to change from giving my child breast milk to formula milk only… So is it possible?

  9. Lisa Thorley •

    Hi Dimakatso,

    If you’re both on meds then this is good. With regards to stopping the meds for your child, please talk to their doctor about this.

  10. dimakatso •

    yes he is taking medication n me too.

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