As your baby ages and becomes more interested in solids, or your schedule stops you from breastfeeding exclusively, it becomes necessary to partially or fully wean your baby to take a bottle or transition to eating solids. The weaning process is often both mentally and physically difficult, so it's always best to take the process slowly to continually assess your baby's comfort level and give him time to adapt to the change.
Step 1
Wait until your baby is at least 6 months old before you wean him from the breast, if possible. The American Academy of Pediatrics recognizes the value of breast milk and notes that breast is best as the sole source of nutrition until 6 months of age. Then your baby is more likely to transition to eating more solid food and taking a bottle without disrupting his growth or development.
Step 2
Substitute your baby's least favorite feeding for solids or a bottle, when appropriate. While most babies relish in the comfort of a nighttime feeding, a lunchtime feeding isn't as vital to your baby's routine. By using the least favorite feeding time to introduce a bottle or solids, your baby doesn't miss the actual act of nursing or taking a bottle with you.
Step 3
Ask your partner, a family member or friend to issue the first feeding as you try to wean. Babies are creatures of habit and comfort, so when your baby smells and sees you, he automatically believes it's time to nurse. When you offer a bottle or a spoonful of solids, your baby might refuse them because it's not what he's used to. Your partner looks and smells different to create a clear difference between nursing and other forms of nutrition.
Step 4
Give your baby a few days to adjust each time you substitute a usual feeding with a bottle or solid food. Your baby needs ample time to adjust to the change in schedule to reduce the chance that he rejects his food. As your baby's demand for breast milk dwindles, pressure from engorged breasts become uncomfortable. Express enough milk by hand to increase your comfort level, but avoid pumping unless you're giving your baby breast milk for a bottle. The more you express, the more your body makes, lengthening the weaning process for your body.
Step 5
Offer extra comfort and love when you remove the nighttime feeding, which is usually a baby's favorite and most relied-upon. Change your routine so that bedtime isn't centered around breastfeeding; instead, use a warm bath, books and songs to relax your baby without the need for the breast. Whether you're switching to a bottle or weaning onto solid food altogether, bedtime should still be a calming experience with a relaxing routine.
