According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, your baby should have breast milk exclusively for the first six months of her life. Then, she should have breast milk, along with complementary solid foods until she turns 1. If you choose to wean your baby before her first birthday, you should switch her to an iron-fortified baby formula. Some babies find it difficult to make the transition from breast milk to baby formula, or from nursing at the breast to taking a bottle. Wean your baby gradually, if possible.
Step 1
Offer your baby a bottle of formula, instead of nursing him in the middle of the day. This is a good feeding to start with. Your baby may take less milk at this feeding, and it is not as emotionally important as the one upon waking or just before going to sleep, says the Kids Health website.
Step 2
Shorten the time that you allow your baby to nurse at the other feedings, recommends the Baby Center website. After nursing her, offer her a bottle of formula to finish her meal.
Step 3
Eliminate one feeding per week. Weaning gradually will decrease the emotional upset that your baby experiences and will reduce your physical discomfort as your breasts adjust to the reduced demand for milk.
Step 4
Drop the bedtime nursing session last, recommends Kids Health. This is often a special time of bonding for you and your baby. You can keep nursing at bedtime for as long as you both desire, as your baby will continue getting some health benefits of breastfeeding.
Tips and Warnings
- Ask someone else to give your baby her bottle of formula if she refuses to take it from you. You may need to leave the room and ask the other person to sit in an area other than the one you normally nurse in. For older babies, try distraction if she wants to nurse for comfort. Snuggle her, offer her a toy or give her a pacifier. If your baby is sick or teething, postpone weaning if possible. Try to minimize unnecessary stress until she is feeling better.
- If you wean quickly, you may experience blocked ducts or mastitis. If you have the symptoms of mastitis, which include heat, soreness or redness in your breast, flu-like symptoms or a fever, call your doctor. You may need an antibiotic to clear up the infection, according to MayoClinic.com.
