Weaning From Breastfeeding

Weaning is the process of slowly giving your baby other foods while you continue to breastfeed.
It is a natural stage in your baby’s growth.

When To Wean Your Baby

Breastfeeding is good for a mother and child at any age. Some mothers and babies continue to nurse into the toddler years and beyond. The decision to wean your baby is up to you and your baby. There is no “perfect” time.

It’s easiest and most comfortable to wean when your baby starts the process. For most babies, this happens when they are getting more of their nutrition from solid foods. Babies who are ready to wean usually do so gradually. Over several weeks, baby will drop one breastfeeding session at a time. Eventually, baby will only nurse once a day or less.

If you wean your baby from breast milk before baby is 12 months old, then you will need to supplement their diet with infant formula. Keep in mind that babies should not drink cow’s milk before their first birthday.

Your baby’s age, the typical number of times you breastfeed each day and whether your baby is ready to wean can affect how long the weaning process takes.

Weaning may pause or slow down if:

  1. Your baby is sick or teething. Baby may need the extra comfort and antibodies from breastfeeding.
  2. A major change has occurred at home. Try not to start weaning when you first return to work or school.
  3. Your baby is struggling to wean. If your baby is resisting, they might not be ready. Try again in another month or two.

When you and your baby are ready to wean:

  1. Try a “don’t offer, don’t refuse” approach for one nursing session at a time. This means, at the usual feeding time, don’t automatically offer your breast. But if your child asks to nurse, don’t refuse. Typically, the last breastfeeding sessions babies drop are the ones before they fall asleep or after they wake up.
  2. Serve solid foods at the table in a highchair. This assists with weaning and helps your baby start a new routine.
  3. When you would normally breastfeed, distract your baby with an activity. Reading a book, going on a walk, playing together, or snuggling without having breast available are special ways to bond in place of breastfeeding.
  4. Give your baby lots of extra love and attention. Weaning can be emotional for both of you.
  • Try a “don’t offer, don’t refuse” approach for one nursing session at a time. This means, at the usual feeding time, don’t automatically offer your breast. But if your child asks to nurse, don’t refuse. Typically, the last breastfeeding sessions babies drop are the ones before they fall asleep or after they wake up.
  • Serve solid foods at the table in a highchair. This assists with weaning and helps your baby start a new routine.
  • When you would normally breastfeed, distract your baby with an activity. Reading a book, going on a walk, playing together, or snuggling without having breast available are special ways to bond in place of breastfeeding.
  • Give your baby lots of extra love and attention. Weaning can be emotional for both of you.
  • Use a cup to offer breast milk. Offer expressed breastmilk in a cup (or whole fat milk after 1 year old) in place of nursing.
  • Closely watch the child while nursing. See if you can unlatch and snuggle earlier than they unlatch.
  • Involve family members. If able, have another family member put child to sleep.

Tips for Weaning Safely and Comfortably

Monitor your breasts while you are weaning. If you are feeling uncomfortable or your breasts feel very full, you can pump or hand express enough milk to help relieve the pressure. Cool compresses applied to your breasts can also provide relief if you experience pain or swelling.