For the first few months, your baby doesn’t require any added nutrition if you are nursing or using formula. Breast milk provides all the necessary vitamins, minerals, and micronutrients that are essential for healthy growth and development, as well as antibodies to fend off infections. As your baby reaches about four to six months of age, those nutritional requirements increase and you’ll need to introduce your baby to other foods and nutrition sources.

For many parents, this can be challenging because babies often resist attempts to introduce new foods and they’re also reluctant to give up breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, which are sources of comfort and not just food. Learning about the weaning process, including when to make the change and how to go about it, can help ease this transition and reduce stress for both you and your baby.

When Should You Begin Weaning

Although there’s no hard and fast rule, most experts agree that weaning should begin at about six months of age and no earlier than four months. There are also some clear indications that your baby is ready for weaning, and these include:

  • Your baby can sit up unassisted
  • Improved ability to control head and neck movements
  • Reduced interest and fussiness when nursing
  • Biting at the breast and sucking for comfort rather than feeding
  • Begins reaching out for small objects and foods

How to Start Weaning Your Baby

This is a big change for both mother and baby, so give it time. You can start the process of weaning by dropping one feed each week so that you and your baby can adjust gradually. Since your midday feeding session is likely to be the smallest, it would be a good idea to start by dropping this session. Reducing feedings in this type of phased manner will also lower the risk of breast engorgement, which can occur if you stop nursing abruptly.

As you reduce breastfeeding or bottle feeding, substitute the dropped session with a cup of pumped breast milk or infant formula. Just make sure to choose a high-quality sippy cup that will actually help your baby adjust to the change. To begin, offer your baby the sippy cup when she is calm and before she gets too hungry. Make sure that the cup is accessible at mealtimes to help build an association with eating as this will encourage the development of self-feeding skills.

Since babies over six months of age should be consuming solid foods in addition to breast milk or formula, begin introducing age-appropriate purees or mashed foods alongside their usual feedings. Start with iron-rich options like fortified cereals, mashed vegetables, or soft fruits, which are essential for your baby’s growth and development. The AAP recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months and continued breastfeeding for at least a year while introducing solid foods.

If you want to continue feeding your baby breast milk while introducing other foods, make it a point to use a pump, as this will help ensure that milk production does not stop. Most importantly, discuss these changes with your doctor to make sure that your baby is getting adequate nutrition. Depending on your baby’s age at the time of weaning, you may be advised to supplement with a specific baby formula.

Tips to Make Weaning Easier

Consider following these simple suggestions to make the change easier for your baby:

  • Shift feeding sessions to a new location to subtly break the association between familiar locations and nursing or bottle feeding.
  • Swap feeding times with any stimulating activity to distract your baby and help them adjust to the change in routine.
  • Ask someone at home to step in during usual feeding times to help distract your baby.
  • Show enthusiasm for the new sippy cup or foods by pretending to use or enjoy them yourself. Your baby is more likely to mimic your excitement and try them.
  • If your baby is already dealing with a significant change, such as moving to a new home or starting daycare, consider postponing weaning.
  • Don’t compare your baby’s progress with other parents or try to rush the process. Every child is different and develops at their own pace.

Remember, at the end of the day, you know your baby best. Take your cue from them, and don’t let the weaning process be something that stresses you or your baby out. There should be no pressure and no wrong or right way. Good luck on your baby weaning journey.