If you're breastfeeding your baby, weaning from breast milk to whole milk is a big milestone in your relationship. You might have mixed feelings about making the switch; after supporting your baby with your own body since conception, it's a change for both of you to wean from the breast. There's no rush to make this happen. According to lactation consultant Kelly Bonyata, breast milk continues to offer your child nutritional, immunological and social benefits for as long as you continue breastfeeding. The American Academy of Pediatrics states, "There is no upper limit to the duration of breastfeeding." The American Academy of Family Physicians estimates that the "natural weaning age for humans is between two and seven years."
Time Frame
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that you breastfeed exclusively, with no additional liquids or solids except vitamins, for the first six months of your baby's life; it also recommends that you continue to breastfeed in addition to feeding solid foods until your baby is at least 12 months old. The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding even longer, stating that breastfeeding can continue "up to age two" or beyond. Both organizations agree that breastfeeding has benefits throughout toddlerhood and can continue as long as mutually desired by mother and baby.
Do not wean your child onto whole milk until he is at least 12 months old. If you wean from breast milk when he is younger than one year, switch to formula until his first birthday. However, after one year of age, you can switch from breastmilk to cow's milk at any time you both desire. For most children, whole milk is the best choice for weaning, although reduced-fat milk may be better for children who are at risk for becoming overweight.
Mother-led Method of Weaning
Weaning from breast milk to whole milk can be mother-led or child-led. If you choose to do mother-led weaning, initiate weaning based on your own and your child's readiness and your child's age. Most toddlers will respond well to mother-led weaning after their first birthday. If your child has been gradually decreasing the number and length of his feedings, choose a date for your last breastfeeding session and stop nursing entirely on that day. This method works best with an older child who is already nursing infrequently; it also helps if he is old enough to talk about the switch and to be excited about the idea of graduating to "big kid" milk.
If your toddler is younger, it is best to wean gradually by reducing the number of nursing sessions before stopping entirely. Replace one nursing session per day at a time and offer whole milk in a cup (or sippy cup) instead. As your child gets used to the replacement, continue to replace more nursing sessions with whole milk until he is no longer breastfeeding.
Child-led Method of Weaning
Child-led weaning means allowing your child to determine when breastfeeding will stop. Most children will not self-wean until after age 2; many toddlers naturally continue nursing until the ages of 4 or 5. Child-led weaning is usually a very gradual process; your child may go several days between nursing sessions before he quits nursing entirely. If you do child-led weaning, you can introduce whole milk before he weans from breast milk.
Considerations
Do not introduce whole cow milk before a baby is 1-year-old. In addition, be aware of signs of lactose intolerance; approximately 70 percent of the world's population has a lactose deficiency, although very few children will exhibit symptoms of lactose intolerance until after age 2. If your child is allergic to cow milk, wean to a different form of milk, such as almond, rice or soy. Yogurt, cheese and dark leafy greens are good sources of calcium that can usually be eaten by people who are lactose intolerant.
References
- American Academy of Pediatrics: Breastfeeding Frequently Asked Questions
- World Health Organization: Infant Feeding Recommendation
- "Cow's Milk for Infants and Children"; Medline Plus; David Zieve and David R. Eltz; December 2010
- "Weaning: How Does it Happen?"; Kellymom; Kelly Bonyata, Becky Flora and Paula Yount; May 2007
- "AAP Recommends Lactose Intolerant Children Consume Some Dairy Products"; American Academy of Pediatrics; September 2006
- "Breastfeeding Past Infancy: Fact Sheet"; Kellymom; Kelly Bonyata; June 2011
