Thinking of Weaning?

What is ‘weaning’?

People use the word ‘weaning’ in different ways. It may be used to mean introducing solid foods alongside continuing to breastfeed or to refer to the end of the breastfeeding journey. From the first time your baby begins eating foods or drinks alongside your milk, weaning has begun. It ends the last time your child nurses or drinks your milk. And that means weaning can take days, weeks, months, or years.

Whether you’re thinking about starting solids, reducing breastfeeding, night weaning, breastfeeding through pregnancy, returning to work, or stopping breastfeeding completely, this page will help you find the information you need.

 On this page

Starting solid food while breastfeeding 

Most babies are ready to start solids at around six months, while continuing to breastfeed. Our article Starting Solid Food will tell you more about when and how to introduce a baby to the exciting world of food alongside breastfeeding.
You can also listen to our Podcast on this topic. 

My baby is fussing at the breast or refuses to feed. Is it time to wean? 

It’s very unlikely that a baby under the age of one will be ready to wean from breastfeeding so if your baby fusses at the breast or refuses to breastfeed there’s likely to be a good reason. It can take a bit of detective work to find out the cause.

A common reason can be the ‘four month fussies’ when babies become more aware of the world around them and may find it difficult to settle to feed. This can happen a bit before and after four months too.

At any stage of breastfeeding a baby can be upset if milk flow is slower or faster than they would prefer. If that’s your baby then these articles can help you work out what to do.

Some babies are troubled by teething and can be fussy or unhappy in the period before a tooth actually appears. And it’s not unusual for a baby to bite down on the breast or accidentally give a little nip when he has sore gums or is learning how to breastfeed with new, sharp little teeth. There’s no hurry to stop breastfeeding just because your baby has teeth. Our article Help, My Baby Bit Me can tell you what you need to know.

From time to time an older baby who has been happily breastfeeding suddenly starts to refuse the breast. This is known as a “nursing strike”. Sometimes a nursing strike can be mistaken for the baby wanting to stop breastfeeding but a baby who is ready to wean usually does so over a period of time. In a nursing strike the baby seems unwilling to feed even though he appears really unhappy about it.

Do I need to stop breastfeeding for medical treatment or to take medication? 

Being told to stop breastfeeding suddenly can be hugely upsetting for you and your baby, both emotionally and physically, leaving you with a distraught baby and full breasts. It’s always worth finding out more since most medications can be taken by breastfeeding mothers or an effective alternative found. La Leche League Leaders can help you find information about medication, to share with your healthcare team.

Decisions about medications involve balancing the risks and benefits of treatment alongside the risks of stopping breastfeeding. Our article When a Mother Is Ill has more information about breastfeeding and medications, illness, surgery, and hospital stays. 

In rare circumstances, a mother may find herself in a situation where she needs to stop breastfeeding straight away, for example to start treatment for a serious medical condition such as cancer, or, sadly, if her baby has died. Our article When Breastfeeding Ends Suddenly has been written for such situations.

My baby still wakes in the night. Is it time to wean? 

Lots of research shows that night waking is normal for babies and young children. Sleep deprivation can be challenging for adults, and breastfeeding is a convenient way to get your child to sleep, or back to sleep.

Our article Breastfeeding at Night explores sleep, night feeds, and ways to make nights easier.

You might also like to listen to these podcast episodes: How Babies Sleep and Discussing Infant Sleep.

Do I need to cut back on breastfeeding ready for my return to work?

There’s no need to stop breastfeeding when you return to work or if you need to be away from your child for other reasons. Depending on how long you’ll be away and the age of your child, you’ll probably need to adjust your nursing relationship but time away from your little one doesn’t mean breastfeeding has to end. Continuing to nurse may be even more important to you both as you adjust to big changes in your lives.

Our article Working and Breastfeeding has lots of useful tips and our handbook The Art of Breastfeeding has comprehensive information, including lots of stories from employed mothers.

Will weaning encourage my child to eat more?

Many toddlers become selective eaters. The instinct to eat familiar foods protects them from eating things that might be dangerous. Every child is different: some are adventurous eaters, while others are naturally more cautious about trying new foods. It can take patience and persistence to encourage toddlers to eat a range of healthy foods and some children have additional sensory or other challenges, and may need specialist help.

Breastfeeding is not usually the cause of picky eating, and can provide a useful nutritional and emotional safety net while your child explores new foods at their own pace.

Our article on Toddlers and Food is here to help.

I’m pregnant but my older baby is still breastfeeding. Should I wean? 

If you’re expecting a baby and are continuing to breastfeed your older child, many questions may be going through your mind. Mothers can breastfeed while pregnant; some go on to nurse both their new baby and their older child after the birth. This is known as ‘tandem nursing’. 

Read more in our articles Pregnant and Breastfeeding and Tandem Nursing. You can also listen to our Tandem Nursing Podcast.

Some mothers decide to stop nursing during their pregnancy or find their child loses interest as their milk supply naturally reduces due to pregnancy hormones. For information on reducing or ending breastfeeding, see below, ‘How can I reduce or stop breastfeeding?’

My toddler is still breastfeeding – is that normal?

Breastfeeding continues to support your child’s nutrition, immunity, and emotional well-being after the first year and for as long as you both want to continue. Once breastfeeding is going well it often becomes an enjoyable and invaluable part of your relationship with your child.

If you’d like to know more about the wonders and challenges of breastfeeding beyond babyhood you can read our article Still Nursing and listen to our podcast.

As your baby gets older you may find yourself on the receiving end of unwanted opinions from others on how long you should continue to breastfeed and how weaning should happen. Our Dealing with criticism article and podcast offer strategies for dealing with unsolicited advice and critical comments.

How can I reduce or stop breastfeeding?

All children stop breastfeeding eventually. Sometimes a child leads the process and other times a mother will be ready before their child is and wants to make changes. It’s normal to find nursing irritating at times and to feel like your toddler has taken over your breasts. If that’s the case for you then setting some limits on when and how breastfeeding happens may be enough to feel more in control. This is a normal part of helping your child develop empathy and respect for other people’s bodies.

Read our article Still Nursing? and LLLI’s article Setting Limits When Breastfeeding for practical suggestions for boundary-setting, or helping breastfeeding come to a gentle end.

If you’re struggling with negative emotions during feeds then our When you don’t enjoy breastfeeding article and podcast about Breastfeeding and Aversion may be relevant for you.

After weaning – what next?

Eventually, every breastfeeding relationship comes to an end. Every child stops breastfeeding, and every exclusively pumping mother eventually stops expressing milk. This article looks at what stopping can feel like emotionally and physically, and how your relationship with your child continues afterwards.

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