Weaning Your Baby Smoothly Off Breastfeeding and the Bottle

Weaning is a major step in both your and your baby’s journey. Sometimes it happens naturally and gradually, but other times, you may need or choose to wean earlier than your child would naturally stop breastfeeding or bottle feeding.

If that’s the case, it’s always better to wean gradually. Sudden weaning can be physically painful for the mother and emotionally stressful for both of you.

How Do You Know It’s Time to Wean?

Here are signs that you and your baby might be ready:

Your baby is over 12–14 months old. They’re eating three full solid meals a day. They’ve naturally started to reduce breastfeeding or bottle feeding. You feel your milk supply is decreasing and can’t return to normal. Your baby seems less interested in nursing or rejects the bottle/breast. You’ve consulted with your pediatrician and got the green light.

👶🏻 Preparing for Weaning

If your baby is now down to just one nursing session—usually at bedtime—you can start the final stage of weaning. Here are some tips to make it smoother:

Remove nursing bottles from sight. Out of sight, out of mind. Avoid exposing your breasts in front of your child. This reduces visual triggers for breastfeeding. Don’t talk about the bottle or nursing in front of them. Increase your baby’s solid meals. Offer delicious and diverse meals to ensure they’re full and satisfied. Create a new bedtime routine. Replace the nursing session with cuddles, a bedtime story, or soft music.

For the Mother: Managing Your Own Health During Weaning

Drink sage tea or use cold cabbage leaves on your breasts. They contain natural estrogen that helps reduce milk flow and relieve engorgement. Ask your doctor about safe medications that can help suppress milk production. Don’t suppress milk suddenly. Wait at least 2 peaceful, low-stress days before starting any milk suppression method. If engorgement becomes painful, try hand-expressing a small amount of milk or use a manual/electric pump—just enough to ease the pressure without stimulating new supply.

Final Thoughts

Weaning is not always easy, and it’s perfectly normal to feel emotional about it. Just take it step by step, be gentle with yourself and your baby, and remember: you’re doing great.

Maha Youssuf

Mamas’s Guides Chief Editor