Weaning from breastfeeding

There’s no right age to stop

When to stop breastfeeding is a personal decision, and it will be different for every family (CDC). The NHS puts it simply: it’s up to you and your baby.

For context, the guidance on how long:

• The AAP recommends breast milk alone for about the first 6 months, then supports continued breastfeeding alongside food for 2 years or beyond, as long as you and your child both want to. It updated its policy to say this in 2022.
• The WHO recommends breastfeeding up to 2 years of age or beyond, alongside solid foods from 6 months.

These are about support, not pressure. The AAP says that you have given your baby a great start by breastfeeding, no matter how early or late you stop, that some breastfeeding is better than none, and that no one but you can decide what’s best for you and your baby. The AAP’s 2022 policy also says families deserve nonjudgmental support whatever they decide.

“Weaning” here means stopping breastfeeding. For starting food, see is my baby ready for solids?. For bottles, see weaning from the bottle.

Child-led and parent-led weaning

When your child leads. The AAP says the simplest time to wean is when your child starts the process. Some babies gradually turn away from nursing around their first birthday, once they enjoy lots of foods and can drink from a cup. Others lose interest as busy toddlers who won’t sit still to nurse.

When you lead. You might want or need to stop for your own reasons: going back to work, time away from home, a new pregnancy, or simply feeling ready (AAP). That’s a valid choice. The AAP and NHS both point out that some of these don’t have to mean stopping completely: you can breastfeed through a new pregnancy, express at work, or combine breastfeeding with some formula.

Times you might wait

The AAP suggests holding off on starting to wean, if you can:

• When your child is unwell, teething, or has recently been in hospital. Wait until they feel better. The NHS also notes a poorly baby may want to nurse more often.
• During big changes, such as a move, a new baby, starting childcare or going back to work, when another change could feel like too much.
• If there are food allergies in the family: talk to your pediatrician about timing first.

How to wean gradually

Going slowly is easier for both of you. It gives your child time to find other ways to feel close and comforted, and gives your body time to make less milk (AAP, CDC). The NHS says stopping gradually also helps prevent overfull, hard (engorged) breasts and mastitis.

1. Drop one feed at a time. It doesn’t matter much which one goes first (NHS). For a child over 1, the AAP says the midday feed is often easiest, since lunch and a drink can take its place.
2. Wait before dropping the next. The NHS suggests allowing about a week for each feed you drop. The AAP describes dropping a feed every 2 or 3 days, or once a week. Go at the pace that feels right.
3. Keep the favorite feeds for last. Many children cling to the first feed of the morning and the last one before bed. The AAP suggests keeping these as long as you both want them.
4. Replace the feed with the right drink for your child’s age (below).

Stopping completely can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months (NHS).

What to give instead, by age

Under 12 months. Replace each dropped breastfeed with first infant formula (CDC, NHS). From 6 months, the NHS says this can be given in a cup or beaker instead of a bottle. Cow’s milk and plant drinks aren’t suitable as a main drink before 12 months. See choosing and preparing formula.

12 months and older. The CDC suggests plain, pasteurized, unsweetened whole cow’s milk in a cup, or a fortified, unsweetened dairy alternative. Don’t use rice drinks: the NHS says children under 5 shouldn’t have them in place of breast milk, formula or cow’s milk, because they may contain too much arsenic. Children this age don’t need infant formula, toddler milks or “growing-up” drinks (CDC). The NHS says a child over 1 who eats a variety of foods and drinks doesn’t need a replacement feed at all. See cow’s milk at 12 months and plant milks for toddlers.

Tips for weaning a toddler

Toddlers often nurse for comfort as much as food. The AAP’s suggestions:

• Don’t offer, don’t refuse. Skip offering a feed and see if your child asks. If they do want to nurse, it’s fine to offer the breast.
• Change the routine. At usual nursing times, stay away from your usual nursing spot and plan an activity instead.
• Avoid strong cues, like sitting down in your feeding chair or pulling your child onto your lap.
• Shorten feeds before dropping them.
• Give extra affection. Plenty of hugs, cuddles and one-to-one time help replace the closeness of nursing. A favorite blanket or soft toy can help too.

Partial weaning is an option. If your child strongly resists, the AAP suggests nursing less often, perhaps keeping just the morning and bedtime feeds for a while. With an older child, you can agree on an endpoint together.

Looking after yourself

• Watch for engorgement and mastitis. Mastitis can cause a swollen, hot, painful area on the breast, a hard lump, and flu-like symptoms. The NHS says not to stop breastfeeding suddenly, and to keep feeding if you have mastitis. See a GP or doctor if symptoms aren’t better 12 to 24 hours after treating them at home.
• Expect some feelings. You may feel relief, sadness, or both. If low mood lasts or worries you, talk to your doctor.
• Ask for help. A health visitor, lactation consultant or breastfeeding specialist can help if weaning is hard (NHS). The National Breastfeeding Helpline is open 24 hours a day on 0300 100 0212.
• You can pause. If it’s proving tricky, the NHS says you can take a break and try again in a few weeks.

Changed your mind?

Stopping doesn’t always have to be permanent. The NHS says restarting may take time and not everyone will make enough milk to meet their baby’s needs, but expressing, offering the breast often and skin-to-skin contact can help. A midwife, health visitor or breastfeeding specialist can support you.

When to talk to your doctor

Call your pediatrician or GP the same day if your child is under 12 months and refuses both the breast and formula, or has fewer wet diapers than usual, a dry mouth, few or no tears or a sunken soft spot: these can be signs of dehydration (AAP, NHS).

Call 911Call 999Call your local emergency number (such as 112 in Europe or 000 in Australia) if your child is floppy, or has signs of dehydration and is sleepier than normal or hard to wake, is breathing fast or struggling to breathe, or has blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin or skin that feels cold (NHS).

For anything else, such as worry about how much they’re eating, talk to your pediatrician, GP or health visitor. See baby not eating enough.

Where US and UK advice differs

• After 12 months. The CDC suggests replacing breastfeeds with whole cow’s milk or a fortified, unsweetened dairy alternative, and its list of fortified alternatives includes rice drinks. This site follows the NHS: no rice drinks as a main milk under 5. The NHS says a child over 1 eating a variety of foods and drinks doesn’t need a replacement feed, and allows whole or semi-skimmed cow’s milk as a main drink from 1.
• Pace. The NHS suggests about a week for each dropped feed. The AAP describes dropping a feed every 2 or 3 days, or once a week.
• Cup or bottle. The NHS says formula can go in a cup or beaker from 6 months, and bottles should be discouraged from age 1. The AAP suggests finishing the move from bottle to cup between 12 and 18 months.