How to wean a baby

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You’re giving your baby the best possible start if you can breastfeed. The Australian Government recommends exclusive breastfeeding until at least six months, with possible health implications for babies who are weaned early.

You might decide to stop breastfeeding before your baby reaches six or twelve months. For example, you might find that you start thinking about weaning when you’re getting ready to return to work. Your baby might even begin to wean before you’re ready, although this is less common. Here are some ideas to help you make a smooth transition from breast to bottle or cup.

Getting started with weaning

• Take it slowly. It’s a good idea to allow some time for baby to get used to the change in routine. If the decision to wean is yours rather than your baby’s, you might need to offer some extra comfort as you make the transition to bottle-feeding or drinking from a cup. 
• You can wean to a cup or a bottle. This decision depends on your baby’s age. The first step is to drop the breastfeed your baby seems least keen on. Then remove another feed every week or few days.
• Express if you need to. If you stop breastfeeding quickly, your breasts might fill with milk (engorge) and become very uncomfortable. To prevent engorged breasts, you might need to express your milk sometimes. Be careful not to express too much or you’ll stimulate an increase in supply!
• Watch out for lumpy breasts. After your baby has stopped breastfeeding, you might have lumpy breasts for about 5 to 10 days. The lump might indicate a blocked duct or the beginnings of mastitis. If it bothers you, try massaging the lumps or expressing a small amount of milk. This might help reduce the lumpiness. If any lump is persistent or painful, see your doctor. 
• Consider your breastmilk replacement. The age of your baby will determine whether you replace the breastfeeds with infant formula, cow’s milk or water. Babies younger than 12 months aren’t ready for cow’s milk, so they need to be weaned onto formula.

Things to note

To wean an older baby or toddler, you might want to go slowly, changing your child’s routine gradually.

It’s also quite common to feel a bit down after your last feed, even if you were looking forward to weaning.

Your hormones might take some time to return to normal. Some women begin ovulating as soon as they reduce night feeds or begin to wean. Others find the return of ovulation and menstruation takes several months.

Weaning and getting pregnant
It is safe to start the combined pill (oestrogen and progesterone) while your baby is still having some breastfeeds. The combined pill also helps diminish your supply of breastmilk. 

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