important not only for you to give your baby nutritious foods and drinks but
also for you and your baby to interact with each other during mealtimes. These
things help your baby's mind and body grow. Breast milk (with supplements) and formula give babies
all the calories and nutrients they need until they are 6 months old. After
that, babies need other nutrients and energy from solid foods. You can
wean gradually or abruptly in order to get your baby
what he or she needs for growth. When you make choices about weaning, always
think of your baby's emotional needs, age, and readiness as well as your own
The weaning process
The American Academy of
Pediatrics recommends that babies be breast-fed for at least a year and as long
after a year as mother and child desire.1
- If you are not breast-feeding and your baby is younger than 12
months of age, use
iron-fortified formula. Do not offer your baby cow's
milk.1 The iron in cow's milk is not well-absorbed,
and iron is necessary for healthy development. Also, some babies may be more
likely to react to the
protein in cow's milk.
- Most children need whole milk when they are 1 to 2 years of age. But your doctor may recommend 2% milk if your child is overweight or if there is a family history of obesity, high blood pressure, or heart disease.
- Switching from breast milk to formula may cause
differences in how often your baby feeds and a change
in the color and consistency of your baby's stools.
When you have decided that you and your child are ready
to give up breast- or bottle-feeding, develop a plan for what you will do. Talk
with other family members and get their help.
In general, you can
start giving your baby solid foods at 4 to 6 months of age.
Feed your baby at the table with the rest of the family. Follow your doctor's
advice on when and what to feed your baby. 1 Usually, the more
solid foods a baby eats, the less breast milk or formula he or she needs, and
the easier it is for your baby to switch from the breast or bottle. Be sure your child gets the recommended vitamins and minerals for children.
Weaning from breast- or bottle-feeding can be done gradually or abruptly.
signs that your baby is ready to wean. To gradually stop breast- or
bottle-feeding while you
offer cup-feeding and/or solid foods, give up the least important feeding
first, which is usually the midday one. Then stop the late afternoon and
morning feedings. Stop the most important feeding (the one that provides the
baby the greatest emotional comfort) last: this is usually the first or last
feeding of the day. Whether you are weaning or not, the last feeding should
gradually be moved up so that by 4 months it is no longer at bedtime and other
soothing rituals can be established. Pay attention to whether your baby is
sucking for comfort or hunger.
Tips for using a cup
Strive to have your baby using a cup instead of a bottle around 1 year of age. And help your child to start using a lidless cup by age 2. To help get your baby learn to use a cup, try these tips:
- Show your baby different types of cups and let
him or her choose.
- Try to use cups with a spout, two handles, and
a rounded, weighted bottom. If your baby accidentally bumps the cup, it will
stay upright and less liquid will be spilled.
- If the cup does not
have a lid and spout, put only about one sip of liquid at a time in the cup, in
case your baby tips the cup over.
- Do not be upset if your baby
just wants to play with the cup at first.
And to help prevent injuries from using bottles and cups during unsteady walking, have your child stay seated while drinking.
A gradual weaning slowly reduces
the number of breast- or bottle-feedings. One feeding is eliminated every 5 to
7 days, giving the mother and baby time to adjust. Gradual weaning helps
maintain emotional attachment, prevents
breast engorgement for mothers who are breast-feeding, and allows the baby to learn other
ways of eating. Gradual weaning is generally planned to suit both the mother's and child's
Gradual weaning is best for both you and your baby. It is
recommended for babies unless the mother has a medical condition that does not
Abrupt weaning is a sudden end to
breast- or bottle-feeding and can be hard for both the mother and the
child. The breast-feeding mother may experience painful breast engorgement and has an
increased risk for a breast infection (mastitis). Both the mother and the
child may miss the emotional attachment and closeness of breast- or
Your child may respond to abrupt weaning
- Refusing to drink from a cup for a period of
time. Prolonged refusal to drink from a cup can lead to
dehydration and nutritional
- Sucking his or her thumb.
Times you may not want to wean
You may not want to wean your baby:
- When a child is learning new skills. Learning new
skills, such as crawling or walking, can be stressful for your child, and the
breast or bottle may provide comfort and security.
- When there is stress in the home. A new tooth, an
illness, a new day care center, or the caregiver starting back to work can all
be stressful. Weaning at this time, or during any difficult time, results in
more stress and more difficulty weaning.
- During unusually warm weather. During weaning,
babies sometimes refuse any liquid other than breast milk or formula for 24 to 48 hours.
So weaning your baby when it's very hot outdoors can put your baby at risk for
Weaning a toddler
Gradual or abrupt weaning may
work for 1- to 2-year-olds.
- A toddler who breast- or bottle-feeds 3 or
more times a day may do better with gradual weaning.
- A toddler who
breast- or bottle-feeds 2 times a day or less may do well with abrupt
You may find the following suggestions helpful as you
switch to other types of feeding:
As your baby learns to feed himself or herself, keep in
mind that your job is to provide a variety of nutritious foods but your baby
will decide how much to eat. This is sometimes called the
division of responsibility.