When the time comes to transition your baby from breastfeeding to another way of feeding, you’ll probably have many questions about when and how to wean your baby.
As we’ll explain in more detail, when to wean your little one is a very personal choice. You might like to wait until your little one seems ready or wean by a certain time for personal reasons like returning to work.
You also have several options for weaning your baby, and to help you navigate these, we’ve listed weaning methods as well as some dos and don’ts. Read on to discover all this and more.
The Definition of Weaning
Regarding babies, there are several different “definitions” of weaning. It can mean switching your little one from feeding at your breast to feeding from anything else, such as a bottle or a cup, or transitioning from a bottle to a sippy cup.
Weaning most often refers to the final transition away from breastfeeding to other forms of feeding, such as bottle feeding with expressed breast milk or formula or giving solids. In this context, weaning typically involves nursing your baby less and less frequently until your child no longer breastfeeds.
It might help to think of weaning as a gradual transition, not necessarily something that happens from one day to the next. For example, one way to accomplish weaning might be to give fewer feeds from the breast during the day but continue breastfeeding at night and then gradually phase out nighttime nursing as well.
When to Start Weaning
Experts recommend giving breast milk through your baby’s first year, exclusively in the first six months and alongside solids. Many moms in the United States wean their babies around the time their child turns one year old. Some decide to wean earlier or later than this, and others wait until they see signs from the baby that she is ready to be weaned.
When to start weaning is a personal choice, but it can sometimes be led by factors like returning to work. In some cases, weaning may be prompted by a condition like finding breastfeeding painful or having sore nipples.
As you think about when to start weaning, it may be worth noting that, for some children, it can be more difficult to wean later into toddlerhood. For example, weaning your two-year-old toddler can be more difficult than weaning your baby, as your toddler may be more set in her ways.
Although it’s easier said than done, try not to compare your circumstances to any other mother’s or be influenced by pressure to wean at a certain time. Instead, think about what feels right for you and your little one, and ask your healthcare provider or your baby’s provider for personalized advice.
Remember that even if you wean your child off breastfeeding, you can still give her all the nutrition she needs via pumped breast milk (in a cup or bottle), formula, or—if she’s old enough—solids. Or a combination of all of these!
How to Stop Breastfeeding
When you’re ready to stop breastfeeding, it’s always a good idea to talk with a certified lactation consultant first to develop a personalized plan. Especially if you have struggled with breastfeeding issues, such as mastitis or clogged ducts, it can be helpful to have a plan in place and somewhere to turn if you run into problems while weaning.
Technically speaking, the entire weaning process starts as soon as you introduce solid foods to your baby, so thinking of it as a gradual process may help too.
A lactation consultant can help you devise a plan to wean, and these 10 steps for stopping breastfeeding can also help parents who are going through the process.
1. Recognize the Signs
If you want to start weaning, look for signs that your child is ready, which, according to the National Health Service, might include the following:
- Holding their head in an upright position
- Sitting with support
- Expressing interest in what you’re eating
- Losing their active tongue-thrust reflex
- Acting indifferent or cranky during nursing sessions
As the nursing parent, you may also be ready to stop, which is an equally valid reason to wean. Check in with your mental and physical health and decide if weaning is a step you must take for your own sake.
2. Set a Schedule
As you prepare to stop breastfeeding, allow yourself a full month to move through the process. Building in plenty of time gives you and your baby extra breathing room for obstacles and setbacks.
3. Start Slowly
Easing into a weaning routine lets you and your baby adjust. You may start by dropping just one breastfeeding session per week—such as the most inconvenient feeding or the one your baby’s least interested in. Then, gradually drop feedings or stretch out times between sessions until they only have bottles and/or solids.
(Note: If your baby is nine months or older, you can wean directly to a cup, so you don’t have to deal with weaning them off the bottle in a few months.)
Going slowly will produce less and less milk, making weaning more comfortable for you. It will also make weaning more pleasant for your baby since they’ll progressively adjust to nursing less and drink more from the bottle or cup. You may even avoid triggering an episode of mastitis, a painful infection caused by clogged ducts.
4. Provide Physical Comfort
Breastfed babies are used to skin-to-skin contact, so when you’re weaning, it might help to provide physical connection in other ways. For example, you can spend quality one-on-one time with activities that keep them emotionally stimulated—cuddling together while reading a book, singing a lullaby, romping around together at the playground, or massaging their back.
5. Consider Letting Your Little One Lead
Some babies excel at weaning when they’re in control. If you’re okay with letting your baby call the shots, rely on the tried-and-true “don’t offer, don’t refuse” method. In a nutshell, you nurse when your child expresses interest, but you don’t initiate it. It’s not the quickest weaning strategy, but it meets your baby’s needs.
6. Switch Up Your Feeding Routine
If your baby resists a bottle from you, see if they’ll accept it from someone else while you’re in another room—maybe your partner, an older sibling, a grandparent, or a babysitter. Or, if you’re the one serving the bottle, change your routine. For example, if you nurse in your bedroom, try nursing in the living room and holding them in another position.
7. Expect Initial Resistance
It’s normal for babies to resist weaning. Just know that after a day or two of mourning the loss of the breast, most little ones will begin eating solid foods and drinking liquids from a bottle or sippy cup without problems. Healthy babies generally eat when they’re hungry enough, no matter how badly they’d like to nurse.
8. Avoid Engorgement
Another reason to take it slow: You can experience engorgement in your breasts after nursing ends quickly. Why? Your milk ducts miss the memo that they need to reduce milk production, and all that milk has nowhere to go. Soothe the pain with cool ice packs or acetaminophen if you’re engorged. Or reach for your trusty breast pump and serve the pumped milk in a bottle or mix it with your baby’s cereal.
9. Consider Cutting Down
All-or-nothing isn’t your only option for weaning. Many working parents opt for partial weaning, where a caregiver bottle feeds during the day, and you nurse when you’re home. Here are other strategies for partial weaning:
- Nursing and formula-feeding: Combination parents nurse when they’re with the baby but have their caregiver feed formula. This may mean nursing right before you leave for work and as soon as you’re home to prevent engorgement. If your milk is low on weekends, you may want to supplement it with formula.
- Nursing and pumping: Other parents pump at work so their caregiver can put breast milk in the bottle. You pump as often as your child would nurse, maybe about three 15-minute sessions in a day.
- Supplement with what works for you: You can also wean to a point where you are only pumping or nursing as often as you would like and feeding your baby formula the rest of the time. Your body can continue to produce milk as long as you keep pumping or nursing, so even if that’s once a day at night, you can make it work for your lifestyle.
10. Examine Your Own Emotions
Your baby isn’t the only one who has to adjust to weaning. You must deal with a whirlwind of emotions—for example; some parents may want a break from the physical demands of nursing while others feel rejected when their baby passes up the breast. And even if you’re glad to see your breastfeeding journey end, it’s also natural to feel pangs of nostalgia about your baby getting older.
Conclusion
Weaning is a significant milestone for both you and your baby. It’s a process that requires patience, flexibility, and understanding. Whether you choose to wean gradually or quickly, remember that every family’s journey is unique. Trust your instincts, seek support when needed, and focus on what feels right for you and your baby. As you navigate this transition, cherish the moments of closeness and connection, knowing you provide the best care and love for your little one.
FAQs
1. What is the best age to wean a baby from breastfeeding?
The best age to wean varies for each family. Many experts recommend continuing breastfeeding for at least the first year, but some parents choose to wean earlier or later based on their circumstances.
2. How can I make weaning less stressful for my baby?
Start slowly, drop one feeding at a time, and provide physical comfort and reassurance. Keep routines flexible, and be patient with your baby’s needs.
3. What should I do if my baby refuses to take a bottle during weaning?
Try offering the bottle when your baby is not very hungry, have someone else offer the bottle, or change the feeding environment and positions to make the bottle-feeding experience more appealing.
4. Can I still pump milk after weaning my baby from breastfeeding?
Yes, you can continue to pump milk even after your baby has weaned from breastfeeding. This can help maintain your milk supply and provide breast milk for your baby in a bottle or cup.
5. How do I deal with the emotional aspect of weaning?
It’s normal to feel a mix of emotions when weaning. Talk to friends, family, or a lactation consultant for support. Focus on the new ways you’ll bond with your baby, and remember that weaning is a natural part of growth.