Weaning your baby off the breast

How to begin weaning your baby off breastfeeding

Allow 3 weeks for complete weaning 

• Start by cutting out a midday feeding and substituting a bottle, or a snack and breastmilk / formula in a cup, for 5 days.
• Hint for Mom: Wear a cover-up or a no-button dress so your breasts are not accessible to your baby. 
• Continue replacing feedings with bottle or cup until daytime breastfeedings are eliminated. 
• Discontinue the morning feeding by distracting your baby and offering a breakfast of solid food.  When it is time to give up the bedtime feeding, put water in the bottle and cuddle while feeding, then replace feeding time with the comfort of rocking, cuddling and reading, or let someone else put your baby to bed. 
• Weaning is often easier when you go from breast directly to training cup, usually around 9 months. Alternate method: Give your baby an ounce of formula in a bottle before each breastfeeding.

Adapted from Nurturing with Nutrition by Dr. Melanie Bezarte and Lucille Beseler, RDN