How to Wean a Baby

At the recommended weaning age, your baby may be reluctant to change a habit that started at birth. Weaning a baby is easy, if you follow these steps.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Wait until your baby is at least 1 year old before weaning completely from the breast or bottle. The American Academy of Pediactrics recommends breastfeeding or using formula for at least a year, combined with solid foods starting at 6 months of age.
2. Remove the feeding that your baby has the least interest in first. If he doesn't seem to like the mid-morning feeding, stop that one feeding.
3. Wait a week before removing another feeding. If you stopped a morning feeding last week, stop an afternoon or evening feeding this week.
4. Continue to remove a different feeding each week until the only feeding your baby gets is the one right before bed at night. This is normally the last feeding to be stopped because it is the most comforting to your baby.
5. Cut down on the time that you spend on the last feeding. If your baby eats for 10 minutes, gradually but back to 8 and then 6 until your baby only eats for a minute.
6. Take away the last feeding by replacing it with a different activity. Instead of feeding, read a book to your baby. This will be his new sign that bedtime is near.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't try to wean your baby using the cold turkey method. It can sometimes work but will cause your baby to become very upset and cry. Gradual weaning often works better for your baby and you, especially if you are breastfeeding.