Weaning really begins from the time additional nourishment apart from breast milk or formula is given to baby. It is a process rather than an event. There is no best time to wean baby. Most mothers do it when it suits them and their child. Babies are usually started on solids at around six months. As the baby gets older, he or she will want more solid food and often the need for milk then diminishes over a period of time.
Weaning from the breast is often more difficult than weaning from the bottle. A breast fed baby is used to lots of cuddles and that special nourishment from one person only – mother. Hence, any close contact with mum will remind him of feeding. A bottle fed baby is often fed by other adults and so does not necessarily want to feed from mum all the time. And going from bottle to cup is a smaller step than going from the breast to a cup.
In most cases, weaning from the breast will happen either when the milk supply dries up, when mother has had enough, or falls pregnant again – or must go back to work – or when baby begins to prefer other means of nutrition. However, the longer a toddler is allowed to feed from the breast, the harder it is to wean him from the habit.
Weaning can be encouraged in several ways. Getting someone else to attend him during the night so he is not reminded of breastfeeding may help. Being out doing other activities at feed time is another way of distracting a toddler from breastfeeding.
A bottle fed baby can be offered his cup first when he is most likely to take it – when he is really thirsty. Simply keeping the bottle out of sight is often enough to make the transition go more smoothly. However, remember that this is a process and should be done gradually rather than abruptly. So the bottle can be replaced with a cup for just one feed at the beginning, then after some weeks a cup can be offered for two feeds per day.
Alternatively, at first you might prefer to offer the cup at every feed before allowing baby to finish off with his bottle. This will get him used to the cup more quickly, though perhaps not so used to doing without the bottle.
Weaning does not mean that baby no longer requires milk or formula. The calcium and other nutritious elements of milk are necessary for several years to establish optimum health in a young child. If a toddler refuses to accept formula or milk from a cup, then adding some flavouring or colouring might help.
If you need to wean baby from the breast but still have plenty of milk, a gradual process will be less uncomfortable. The less baby suckles, the less milk you will make. If the weaning has to be abrupt for some reason, then only express enough milk to restore comfort. This can usually be done under the shower.