Gently weaning your breastfed baby

Weaning is a natural process in a baby’s development. It usually begins around six months, when you start introducing solid foods in your baby’s diet. The decision to wean a baby should be made according to your needs and the needs of your baby.

Weaning can be exciting as you and your baby have a new independence. It can also be heartbreaking as your baby is growing and moving to other stages in life. These emotions are completely normal.

Weaning your baby from the breast can be natural (child-led) or planned (parent-led). Below are different ways to wean a baby.

• Natural weaning
• Gradual weaning
• Partial weaning
• Abrupt weaning
• Temporary weaning
• Alternatives to the bottle
• Tips to help with weaning

Natural weaning

The natural weaning process is guided by the baby. When ready, usually between 1 and 3 years of age, your toddler will become less and less interested in breastfeeding. You can continue to offer your breast whenever your child asks, which should happen less and less often. Your milk production gradually slows, making your toddler less interested in feeding.

Gradual weaning

Gradual weaning is the easiest way for you and your baby to wean; you can do it over several days, weeks or even longer. Here are some tips to help you gradually wean your baby from the breast. You can:

• Make your breast unavailable for nursing. Stop wearing your nursing clothing, wear layers; make it less accessible for your baby to feed at the breast.
• Use the “don’t offer and don’t refuse” approach. Do not offer breastfeeding to your child and keep them busy with other activities such as playing outside or having a snack. Avoid sitting in your usual nursing spot as your child may think that it is time to breastfeed. Should your child ask to nurse, take the time, and enjoy that breastfeeding break together.
• Shorten the time your child is at the breast by just a few minutes or so. Do this for a few days, then you can drop that shortened feed. This will slowly reduce your milk production, making it more comfortable for yourself. If you are pumping, you can shorten the time at the pump as well and drop that pumping session after a few days.
• Drop, delay or space out your breastfeeding session. You may want to express a minimal amount of breast milk to relieve the engorgement that will be uncomfortable. If you choose to drop a feeding session, the best feeding to drop first is usually a mid-afternoon feed, as that is when your prolactin is the lowest. Do not forget to substitute that feed with an alternative.

Partial weaning

Partial weaning is an alternative that allows your baby to still receive breast milk while completing their feed with something else. Partial weaning is perfect for those going back to work or school. You may start limiting the frequency of feedings at the breast and feed on your available time each day. Partial weaning allows you to breastfeed when you are available. If your baby is less than 12 months old, you should discuss an appropriate commercial milk formula with your health care provider.

Abrupt weaning

This type of weaning puts an immediate stop to breastfeeding. It can be brought on by you or by your baby. If you wean abruptly, you want to avoid the discomfort of engorgement and other complications by using a breast pump or by manually expressing your breast milk to prevent plugged ducts. Applying a cold compress or cold cabbage leaves in the bra can help relieve engorgement.

Abrupt weaning is the least recommended method of weaning since it offers no time for adjustment either for you or your baby.

Temporary weaning

You may consider temporary weaning if you plan to be temporarily separated from your baby for a set length of time. You must continue to express breast milk during the separation so that you can keep up your milk supply for when you resume breastfeeding. We recommend that you express your milk on the same schedule that you would usually feed your child during your time apart; by mimicking your child’s feeding pattern it will be easier when you transition your child back at the breast. You might opt for an alternative to the bottle to prevent your baby from being confused between bottle and breast (called nipple confusion). This may help your baby get back to the breast after the separation.

Alternatives to the bottle

• Cup
• Glass
• Spoon
• Small straw

Tips to help with weaning

The following suggestions can be useful when you decide to wean, and your baby still needs to receive their milk:

• Use expressed breast milk in a bottle.
• Warm the nipple of the bottle.
• Present the bottle when your baby is happy.
• Don’t wait until your baby is hungry.
• Let someone else, holding something that smells like you, feed your baby with the bottle. Choose someone you trust that knows how to stay calm during the feeding.
• Postpone this experience for a few days if the baby becomes frustrated.

Remember:

• Listen to your baby; monitor for signs of dehydration.
• Delay introducing the cup or bottle until a better time if your baby gets upset.
• Make weaning a positive experience for you and your baby.
• If you need help, consult Breastfeeding Help or attend one of the Watch Me Grow Drop-in sites to speak to one of the Public Health Nurses.