How to Wean from Breastfeeding

Sep 30, 2024

Are you ready to wean? Weaning is the process of transitioning your baby’s diet from breast milk or formula to other sources of nutrition. It is typically a gradual process done over weeks to months. The AAP and WHO recommend exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months with continued breastfeeding for up to 2 years of age or longer, but when to wean is a very personal decision that should be made by the mother and baby without input or pressure from other people, society, social media, etc. Regardless of how long you provided breast milk for your baby, your breastfeeding journey is one you can be proud of!

There are some circumstances that might require sudden weaning, but in general it is recommended to go through this process gradually--both for your sake and your baby's. There are a few different approaches to weaning that you can take depending on your personal preferences and your baby's age.

Replace & Distract

Choose one feeding at a time to replace with something else.

Replace: If under 12 months, replace a breastfeeding session with a bottle feeding. If over 12 months, you can offer cows milk or a milk alternative in a cup, or a meal or snack.

Distract: Alternatively, if it’s not time for a meal or snack, you can distract your baby with books, snuggles, play, etc. Then, once your baby and your body have adjusted to this change in schedule, continue dropping a breastfeeding session every couple weeks or even more gradually if desired.

Don’t Offer, Don’t Refuse

Do not offer breastfeeding, only breastfeed if your child requests it.

This is typically for older babies who can request feedings. With this approach, you do not offer a breastfeeding session, nursing only when baby requests it. As time goes on, the goal is for you and your baby to naturally adjust to this change in routine.

To provide “gentle nudges” you can offer distractions including snacks, cups of milk or water, books, snuggles, & play in efforts to decrease the likelihood of your child requesting to breastfeed.

As soon as your baby starts solids, you can begin to introduce an open or straw cup. Practicing this foundational skill will come in handy when it's time to wean so you can offer water or milk as an alternative to breastfeeding. Not all cups are created equal, so I've rounded up my favorites. Check those out at the link below!

Shop cups here!

Weaning Tips

Go slow! Abrupt weaning can result in breast pain, engorgement, and mastitis, and it can take an emotional toll on both you and baby. Allow your body and your baby time to adjust to a dropped feeding before dropping another.
Setbacks can occur due to things like teething or sickness. If this happens, don’t panic–adjust as needed and get back to your plan after baby is feeling better or your routine is back to normal.
Throughout the weaning process, if you are ever uncomfortable due to breast fullness, hand express or pump briefly to alleviate the discomfort, but remove as little as possible to reach a level of comfort to allow your body to down-regulate your milk supply.
Drop your baby’s least preferred feeding first and most preferred feeding last.
Dropping the bedtime feeding can often be difficult as it's part of baby's sleep routine and is often a great source of comfort. Try moving it earlier into the bedtime routine or shortening it, eventually dropping it completely. You can also try replacing it with a cup of milk, or having a partner or family member take a more active role during bedtime to change the pace.

Emotional Effects of Weaning

Regardless of how your breastfeeding journey went, or why you're choosing to wean, it’s normal to have mixed feelings related to weaning. The weaning process comes with lots of emotions for both moms and babies. Take time to reflect on your journey and process how you’re feeling as you go, and try to be proud of yourself and your body for what you've accomplished.

Weaning also comes with a pretty large hormone shift that effects some moms in bigger ways than others. When dropping feeds or totally discontinuing breastfeeding, prolactin and oxytocin levels that have remained high to produce and maintain effective breastfeeding dramatically decrease, which can sometimes cause new or worsening symptoms of anxiety and depression. These biological changes combined with other emotional aspects of weaning all play a role in your experience as you navigate weaning. Check in with yourself often, give yourself lots of grace, and lean on your partner or a trusted friend or family member for extra support.

If you’re feeling really down, your regular coping strategies aren’t working, you’re just not feeling yourself, or you start having any unusual or scary thoughts, it’s best to reach out to your healthcare provider for some additional support. This is so common, but that doesn’t mean you should suffer alone! Reaching out for help as early as possible is the best way for you to get the support you need.

Still overwhelmed by the weaning process?

I've been there. Weaning can be a lot! You're trying to figure out how to make this as easy as possible on your baby, you're worried this might impact your baby's sleep, you're doing your best to avoid engorgement and mastitis because that's the last thing you need right now, and you're just overwhelmed. If this is you, then you're just the type of mom I had in mind when putting together my Weaning 101 Guide. It includes additional detailed tips, and tons more info on cows milk and milk alternatives. Plus, there are example schedules you can follow with even more tips tailored to your baby's age. Click the link below to access the guide and learn more!