How to Use Vitamin B6 to Stop Breastfeeding?

Stopping lactation, commonly known as weaning, refers to gradually ceasing breastfeeding as the child grows to a certain stage. There are various methods for weaning, yet many new mothers encounter difficulties with incomplete weaning, experiencing intermittent periods of breastfeeding, which can have significant impacts on their well-being. Vitamin B6 possesses the ability to assist in weaning, and its use can be explored. Let's delve into the methods of using vitamin B6 for weaning.

Firstly, there are generally two approaches to weaning: natural weaning and artificial weaning. For babies, natural weaning is the ideal method, and similarly, it is the most favorable approach for mothers. Natural weaning involves gradually reducing the frequency of breastfeeding, increasing the intervals between feeds, and shortening the duration of each feed. Consequently, the mother's milk production decreases, and when the baby is fully weaned, her milk production naturally ceases. This process has no negative impact on the mother's physical or emotional state and carries no side effects.

Vitamin B6 can aid in the weaning process, and appropriate intake can be beneficial. Additionally, incorporating certain foods into the diet can assist with weaning, such as malt, peppercorns, spices, beans, tea, hawthorn, leek, bean curd, fennel, oranges, and animal livers. During the weaning period, applying a warm towel to the breasts for ten minutes followed by gentle massage can help prevent milk ducts from becoming blocked and can also prevent sagging breasts.

Secondly, here are some common methods for weaning:

1. Reduce stimulation to the nipple. This can be achieved by decreasing the frequency of breastfeeding, increasing the intervals between feeds, and shortening the duration of each feed. Additionally, avoid using hot water to wash the breasts.
2. Do not fully express the milk. If the breasts feel uncomfortable due to engorgement, some milk can be expressed, but not completely, as this can stimulate milk production and have the opposite effect. Applying a cold pack to the breasts can help reduce the feeling of fullness.
3. Consume foods that promote weaning. These include barley tea, malt sugar, leek, peppercorns, spices, monosodium glutamate, ginseng, hawthorn, chocolate, bitter melon, malt, raw loquat leaves, Chinese toon with scrambled eggs, malt extract, raw hawthorn, and other foods. Avoid foods that stimulate milk production, such as peanuts, pig's trotters, crucian carp, and other protein-rich soups, as this can reduce milk production.
4. Timing is crucial for weaning. It is not advisable to wean during the summer due to the hot weather and weakened gastrointestinal digestion. Adding excessive amounts of solid food to a child's diet after weaning can lead to digestive issues such as indigestion and diarrhea. Additionally, avoid weaning during a child's illness as their resistance and digestive function may be compromised, and weaning could hinder their recovery or even exacerbate their condition.
5. Avoid using force or intimidation to wean a child. Methods such as applying spicy or colored substances to the nipple to coerce the child into weaning are not advisable. Instead, focus on making complementary foods appealing and delicious, so that the child becomes less reliant on breastfeeding over time.