Weaning Guide

There is no single right time. The WHO recommends breastfeeding for 2 years or beyond. The AAP recommends at least 12 months, then as long as mutually desired. Consider weaning when:

• Your baby is eating a variety of solid foods and drinking from a cup
• You or your baby are ready to transition
• A medical reason requires it (rare)

Baby-led weaning (letting the child gradually lose interest) and mother-led weaning (parent initiates the process) are both valid approaches.

• Go gradually: Drop one feeding at a time, waiting several days between each. Start with the feeding baby is least interested in.
• Offer alternatives: Replace dropped feeds with a cup of milk (whole cow's milk after 12 months) or a snack.
• Manage engorgement: Express just enough milk for comfort — pumping fully will maintain supply.
• Bedtime feeds are usually last: Most families drop the bedtime or morning feed last as these are the most comforting.
• Watch for mastitis: Weaning too quickly can cause blocked ducts or mastitis. Slow and steady is safer.
• Expect emotions: Hormonal changes during weaning can cause mood swings, sadness, or irritability. This is normal.

• Most babies are physiologically capable of sleeping through the night without feeding by 6-9 months (consult your pediatrician)
• Gradual reduction: Slowly decrease the duration of night feeds or the amount offered
• Offer comfort without feeding: Patting, shushing, offering a pacifier instead
• Ensure adequate daytime calories: Make sure baby is getting enough nutrition during the day before dropping night feeds
• Be consistent: Choose an approach and stick with it for at least a week before adjusting
• If baby is under 6 months, discuss night weaning with your pediatrician first

The AAP recommends transitioning from bottle to cup by 12-18 months to support dental health:

• Start offering a cup with meals at 6 months
• Drop one bottle at a time, starting with the midday bottle
• The bedtime bottle is usually the last to go
• Do not put the child to bed with a bottle — it can cause tooth decay
• Transition to whole milk in a cup at 12 months
• Open cups and straw cups are better for oral development than sippy cups

Weaning a toddler who can ask to nurse involves different strategies:

• Don't offer, don't refuse: Let the child initiate but do not offer proactively
• Distraction and substitution: Offer a snack, activity, or cuddle when they ask
• Shorten sessions: Set a timer or use a song to signal when the feed ends
• Change routines: If nursing is associated with a specific chair or time, change the routine
• Talk about it: Toddlers understand more than we think — simple explanations can help

• Grief, sadness, or guilt are common — even when weaning is your choice
• Hormonal shifts (especially a drop in oxytocin and prolactin) can affect mood
• Your bond with your child does not depend on breastfeeding
• If you feel persistent sadness or anxiety after weaning, talk to your healthcare provider