Nikki, when I visit a mother who states that she wants to stop  breastfeeding 
this is what I say. 
I ask her what her goals were and then keep them in mind as I  continue.  I 
then ask her what happened that has made her decision to stop  breastfeeding.  
After I have this information I remind her that I am a  lactation consultant 
and my work is in helping to support breastfeeding.   With that said I ask her 
to consider leaving the door open to possibly returning  to breastfeeding her 
baby and achieving her goals.  
I acknowledge her problems, pain, fears and frustrations.  I then move  all 
of these complaints into parenting and that there will be many more tough  
times ahead and we never want to rush into a decision.  I remind the mom  that 
when we are tired and trying to learn something new we can be easily  frustrated 
but instead of giving up completely, better to take a break, get some  rest, 
and try again when comfortable and refreshed.
I encourage them to get help, and hang in there for at least a few  weeks.  
Once she is recovered from the birth, has established her milk  supply and the 
baby has learned to breastfeed, then she can re-look at her  decision to wean.
Now, if I can get the nursing staff to say the same thing and the  physicians 
I would feel a whole lot better.
Ann Perry, RN IBCLC
Boston, MA

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