The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding your infant until she is 1 year old. At 1, she is eating more solid foods and is less likely to experience food allergies from new foods that you introduce. She also might begin to naturally lose interest in breastfeeding at age 1 as she gains more interest in trying new foods, and weaning a 1-year-old usually is easier than weaning a toddler.
Step 1
Gradually drop feeding times if your 1-year-old is on a regular schedule. Dropping feedings around meal times usually is easiest because your child might be distracted by the other food. Once you are down to one feeding time, eliminate the feedings entirely. Gradually weaning your child typically is less stressful for both of you.
Step 2
Give your child a cup with water or a small amount of juice or milk, or a small nutritious snack, when you would normally feed her. This reinforces the idea of nourishment but gives her a new, more age-appropriate way to gain that nourishment.
Step 3
Avoid wearing your usual nursing clothes or sitting in the places where you nursed your child during the times when you usually nursed him. These familiarities might remind him of nursing and cause anxiety.
Step 4
Distract your child if she wants to nurse. Play a game or take her for a walk, for example. If she still is resistant, have your partner or a friend distract her and do something else away from the baby for a few minutes. Some infants who are very attached to nursing will not be dissuaded unless you are not present.
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