How Do I Wean My Baby?

Have you tried substituting one feed with formula, water, or a snack?

Have you tried to shorten the length of nursing?

Have you tried to delay breastfeeding?

Do you anticipate nursing sessions by offering your baby something to drink or snack?

Have you tried to distract your baby when it's time to breastfeed by doing something else (entertaining it with a new toy, reading a book, music)?

Do you practice having someone else (your spouse, partner, or family member) offer a bottle to your baby when it is time to breastfeed?

If your baby usually nurses upon waking, do you try getting up beforehand and have your partner or someone else do all the morning routine?

Do you allow another family member to help by taking over sleep-time routines?

Do you avoid sitting in a chair that you normally use while breastfeeding?

Based on your answers, there are several other ways that can help you wean your baby. It is best to wean your baby gradually, over a period of weeks or months. You should start by replacing one feed with a formula, water or snack. Once your baby accepts, you can continue substituting one feed at a time. You should do this at a pace that suits your baby and yourself. You can also shorten the length of nursing or try to postpone it. It would be good for someone else, say your husband, to offer a bottle to your baby when it comes time to breastfeed.

Based on your answers, you know a lot about how to wean your baby. You should change your daily routine. When it's time to breastfeed, you should try to distract your baby with a new toy, reading a book, or singing. You should avoid sitting in a chair that you usually use while breastfeeding. It is especially difficult to wean a baby from bedtime nursing. You can offer caresses, hugs or music as a substitute for breastfeeding. If your baby is sleeping with you, you should consider moving it to the other bed. It would be helpful for one of your family members to take over sleep-time routines.