How to Start the Weaning Process 

Here you are, considering weaning. Maybe you met your breastfeeding goal, however long or short it was. Maybe your goal changed due to other circumstances like returning to work, difficulties with breastfeeding, lack of support, or you or your baby’s personal health and wellness needs. Now you find yourself wanting to, or even needing to wean your baby and wonder where to start.  

Things to Consider  

Any sudden changes in frequency and duration of milk removal can cause engorgement, clogged ducts, and even lead to mastitis. Weaning is a change that affects both Mom and Baby. Oftentimes one or both are not quite ready, and it can be a big emotional change that is difficult to walk through. So how can we best offer support and receive support through the change?

Be mindful to ensure access to appropriate breastmilk substitutes, whether you choose to use human donor milk, formula, or even other milks if your baby is over 1 year old. If you know that you will be returning to work and will have to do some bottle feeding/combo feeding or have a short-term breastfeeding goal and plan on using formula in later infancy, then it would be best to introduce a bottle as soon as 3-4 weeks postpartum or at least 2-4 weeks before your return-to-work date. This will give you time to help your baby build those necessary bottle-feeding skills before the anticipated change. Try practicing 1 bottle feeding per day. Note that when you bottle feed to replace or supplement a breastfeed, it is best to also pump at that time to ensure that you maintain an adequate milk supply. 

The Weaning Process 

This involves gradually reducing the number of times per day, as well as the length of time that milk is removed from the breasts in each nursing or pumping session. It is helpful to have your current milk removal schedule written out. Track the following:

1. How many times per day are you currently feeding baby at the breast
2. How many times per day are you currently pumping
3. How long is the baby spending at the breast for each feeding
4. How long do you pump for during each session
5. How much time could you spend gradually weaning
6. Is there a hard, set date that you need to be done, or do you have several weeks

Generally, aim to give yourself approximately 1 week to reduce one breastfeed or pump session per day. Weaning can take up to 8 weeks (around 2 months), so plan accordingly. Gradually decrease the duration of milk removal during each breastfeed or pump session until you eliminate that session. If your baby is under 1 year old, you’ll need to substitute your breastmilk with either formula or donor milk.

Weaning an Older Baby 

If you are weaning a baby over 1 year old and solids are well established, consider these alternative methods for transitioning away from breastfeeding:

1. Limit Time at the Breast: Gradually reduce the duration of breastfeeding sessions. You can achieve this by shortening each session by 5-minute increments every few days until the session is eliminated.
2. “Don’t Offer But Don’t Refuse”: Strike a balance by not actively offering the breast but also not refusing it outright. Allow your baby to express their needs, but avoid initiating breastfeeding.
3. Adjust Gradually: Tailor the pace of weaning to your comfort level. If you are prone to clogged ducts or mastitis, take it slower. Adjust the process as needed. Use distractions and offer other snacks instead of offering the breast as your go-to comfort for baby. 
4. Comfort Your Baby: After reducing the length of breastfeeding sessions, your baby may feel upset. Use this opportunity to provide comfort through alternative activities. Try changing their focus with different activities, spending quality time together, or offering a snack.

You can also work to establish healthy boundaries around breastfeeding times. Instead of breastfeeding your toddler on demand offer them a specific time that they can breastfeed, like before they nap, or go to bed, or when they wake up from nap time, etc. Setting healthy boundaries and practicing patience around breastfeeding also will help throughout the weaning process, as it gets them used to not breastfeeding right away. Delayed gratification and distraction are useful tools.  

When to Get Help 

Many factors go into when and how to wean. In these cases where babies are refusing the bottle or are not well-established solid food eaters, it’s very important to work with an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) or an SLP (Speech Language Pathologist) trained in orofacial myofunctional therapy to help your baby feed with function. If your baby or toddler does not have these skills, fully weaning may not be appropriate. Throughout the process of weaning remember, you have been your baby’s main source of comfort and even though things are changing, you can still offer them your comfort in other ways. Going slowly, if you have time, is a healthy and gentle approach to weaning for both you and your baby. Remember, weaning is a gradual process, and each baby responds differently. Be patient and attuned to your little one’s cues. 🌟