Most moms don't know when to stop breastfeeding. They have trouble knowing when weaning starts and when they should be stopping breastfeeding. Some moms are confused and scared to even begin.

Why do moms wean baby? Here are three of the usual reasons:

1. Mommy has to go back to work. This is the most common reason why working moms stop breastfeeding. After giving birth, they are usually allowed just a month or two of working leaves before they go back to the office. Some continue by either bringing baby to work or by expressing milk and storing them in baby bottles. But most moms can't take the pressure so they just completely stop lactation.

Now, stopping lactation - if done abruptly - will have possible bad effects not only on baby but also the mother - that is especially so if the mom has excessive milk production. Stopping cold turkey is not advised because if it is not done gradually, the mom may develop mastitis - an inflammation of the breast caused by calcium (from breast milk) deposits that have calcified (hardened) in the milk ducts, causing much pain and suffering.

2. Mommy has a medical problem. After giving birth, there are times that the mother contracts an infection. Sometimes, doctors find a lump on the breast (although it rarely happens). Whatever the reason, if the mother is suspected to have a medical condition, doctors would immediately ask her to stop breastfeeding her child. Breast cancer, HIV infection and even alcohol or drug addictions are possible reasons why breastfeeding is put to a halt. When this happens, weaning to the bottle is imminent, and formula may be given to the infant at an early age. This is to arrest and stop infecting the child with whatever the sickness is.

3. Mommy is pregnant ... again. Sometimes, women come back to their doctors for a regular, routine check-up only to find that they are pregnant yet again. Hence, the third reason why women stop breastfeeding. Although there is no known side effect to breastfeeding while being pregnant, society dictates that it shouldn't be done. Since there are no medical studies showing mother and fetal harm while breastfeeding, then if the mother wishes, she can still continue to do so.

While these are all valid reasons, most women forget that the most important reason why weaning should start is if the baby exhibits signs that he is ready to be weaned to food and substances other then his mother's breast milk. This usually involves a baby's physical development. As long as the baby can hold his head without support, sit down for longer periods of time and develops teeth, then the weaning process can already be tried.

Of course, remember that breast milk is still best for babies. So if you don't have any medical condition, then it is best to wean while still giving baby your breast milk to help him fight off infections and illnesses.