Weaning: There's No Deadline, and No "Right" Way to Do It

Whether your breastfeeding journey has lasted a few days, a few weeks, a few months, or a few years, reaching the point of weaning can bring a mix of emotions. There's no "right" age to stop breastfeeding. It's only ever about what feels right for you and your child.

The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding alongside complementary foods for two years and beyond, as long as it's mutually desired by both mother and child. But every family's journey is unique, and "recommended" doesn't mean "required." What matters is what works for you.

A few things that help make weaning smoother

It's an individual journey. How your weaning unfolds depends on your baby's age, your supply, and how often you're currently feeding. There's no single script that fits every family.

Slow or abrupt, both can be done safely. You might choose to go slow and drop one breastfeed every few days or even every week, giving your body time to adjust and reducing the risk of blocked ducts or mastitis. Or you may need to stop more abruptly, which can also be done safely with the right support.

Start with the feed your child cares about least. For an older baby, midday feeds are often the easiest to drop first, well before morning or bedtime feeds, which tend to be the most emotionally anchored.

Offer comfort in other ways. Breastfeeding is about far more than nutrition. Extra cuddles, stories, songs, or quiet time together can help your child feel just as secure while the feeds themselves change.

Expect your emotions to shift too. Hormonal changes during weaning can leave you feeling unexpectedly emotional, even if weaning was entirely your choice and something you feel ready for. This is common, and it usually settles with time.

Keep an eye on your breasts. If you become uncomfortably full, hand express just enough for comfort rather than fully emptying. Watch for increasing pain, redness, swelling, or flu-like symptoms, and seek support if any of these show up.

What replaces the feed

If your baby is under 12 months, breastfeeds should generally be replaced with infant formula unless your healthcare provider has advised otherwise. If your child is over 12 months and eating a varied diet, they may not need a replacement milk feed at all, depending on their overall nutrition and individual needs.

Some mums choose to stop breastfeeding, or their baby chooses to, and continue expressing a few times a day instead. And if you need to stop abruptly for a medical reason, please seek guidance from an IBCLC so you can be properly supported, both physically and emotionally, through that.

Weaning doesn't have to be all or nothing

Many families keep one or two feeds a day for weeks or months before stopping completely. Others breastfeed well into toddlerhood. There is no deadline, and no version of this that needs defending to anyone.

If you're unsure what weaning should look like for your family, you don't have to work it out alone

Whether it's timing, managing discomfort, handling the emotional side, or knowing what to replace a feed with, weaning raises a lot of questions that don't always have a simple answer.

Inside the Best Start Breastfeeding Membership, the Beyond the First Few Weeks module covers exactly this: navigating changes to your feeding journey, including weaning, with practical, judgement-free guidance. You'll also have weekly group calls to bring your specific situation to, and a community of mums who've been exactly where you are, whether they're weaning at six weeks or six years.

You get 12 months of access for one payment of $299, or $70/month if you'd rather spread it out.

Join the Best Start Breastfeeding Membership

If you're unsure about the best approach for your family, or you're experiencing discomfort during weaning, I'm here to help. Together we can build a plan that supports both you and your little one.

Warmly, Eve Best Start Lactation Consultancy Supporting families from challenge to confidence.