You can wean your baby from breastfeeding as early at six months or wait until as late as two years. It is completely up to you. Usually, mothers will begin the weaning process around the time that their baby begins to eat solid foods, but it is not necessary to do so.

The Weaning Process

Unless you must wean your baby quickly due to health concerns or other reasons, it is best to take it slow. You can wean your baby over several weeks or even several months. The slower you take it, the easier it will be for both you and your baby.

If your baby is over six months old, you may want to consider weaning him straight to a cup instead of transitioning to a bottle. This can sometimes make the process easier for your baby and saves you the trouble of weaning from a bottle to a cup later on.

How to Wean

There's no right or wrong way to wean your baby from being breastfed but there are different techniques that you may want to try.

1. Mix it up

Offer your baby a cup, or bottle if you choose, instead of your breast for one feeding a day. You may want to choose your least favourite feeding time and not one that involves a lot of quiet cuddling like the first or last feeding of the day.

2. Get your partner involved

It is sometimes easier to have someone else, like your partner or a close relative, feed your baby from a bottle or cup once a day as you begin the weaning process.

3. Change places

If you usually breastfeed your baby in one particular location, try moving to a different place for feeding during the weaning process. This will allow your baby to associate the new location with drinking from a bottle or cup.

Substitutions For Breast Milk

When you begin the process of weaning you will need to substitute another liquid or food to take the place of the breast milk.

Under 12 months - you may substitute breast milk with iron-fortified infant formula

Between 12 - 18 months - whole milk is acceptable, as is a follow-up formula for older infants

Over 2 years - you may offer whole milk or 2% milk to your child