7 Tips to Gently Wean Your Breastfeeding Toddler

If you’ve made it to toddlerhood and are still breastfeeding, kudos to you! Breastfeeding is a huge commitment, both emotionally and physically. There comes a point, though, when you’re going to wean your breastfeeding toddler.

If you have reached a point where either you have decided to end your breastfeeding relationship or you’d like to move in that direction, you’re reading the right article. Perhaps your little one is getting ready to enter preschool,  you have to go back to work. Maybe you just are not enjoying breastfeeding anymore (and that’s perfectly okay). Whatever your reason, you want to end the relationship on a happy note, and now that you have a toddler, there are some special considerations that you may want to make.

1. Ensure that your toddler is getting adequate nutrition from other sources

Remember, a toddler’s eating habits can be tricky. Aim for a nutritionally balanced week, rather than a nutritionally balanced day. Toddlers need both meals and snacks, and if you’re worried about how much your toddler is eating, consider making food fun.

2. Communication is Key

Children thrive on routine, and you’re about to change their routine. The transition will be smoother if you have a conversation with your toddler about ending your breastfeeding relationship. Gently let her know that everyone stops nursing, and the time that you’ve spent nursing has been a special time.

Be sure that you begin to discuss weaning a few days before you actually plan to wean, and repeat this theme during the days following, so that your toddler has time to process the information. Use short sentences, perhaps something like “soon it will be time for us to stop nursing.”

3. Take it Slowly

Usually, daytime feedings are the easiest to eliminate, as your toddler is busy (and also easily distracted). Now would be a good time to introduce a fun art project, pull out a puzzle, read a book, or go on a walk when you see signs that she may ask to breastfeed. You may find that when presented with alternatives your toddler just isn’t interested in breastfeeding, which brings me to my next tip.

4. Don’t offer

Many toddlers will begin to self-wean if they aren’t give the option. When he does ask (because most likely he will, especially the first few days), first offer alternatives, such as water, juice or milk, a special snack, or even a distraction instead. If your toddler truly wants to nurse in these days leading up to actually weaning, it’s okay to allow it, just be sure that you aren’t asking and are offering up other options, this will help you begin to gently wean your breastfeeding toddler.

5. Stop being a pacifier

If you’ve stopped offering, and started utilizing some gentle distractions, but are still nursing in the middle of the night (this also applies if you are nursing and co-sleeping), then it’s time to night wean. I’m not talking about the bedtime feeding (not yet. I’ll get to that in just a bit), but the 3:00 a.m. one. Keep in mind that if your toddler is still nursing at night that it’s because it’s probably his sleep crutch, not a nutritional necessity.

If your toddler is using breastfeeding as a sleep crutch, then it’s the perfect time to employ some sleep coaching. Consider introducing a new lovie (let him pick one out that he is excited about), and focus on putting him to bed drowsy but awake. If you need to, you can re-introduce the Shuffle to help gently introduce your new routine.

Introducing a lovey?
Read: The Lovey — Your Child’s First Best Friend

6. Expect Some Crankiness When You Wean Your Breastfeeding Toddler

This goes hand in hand with being the pacifier. If your toddler has been dodging her emotions by using breastfeeding to comfort herself, she is going to need another outlet. Offer her lots of attention, hugs, and snuggle time to help her learn to handle her emotions without breastfeeding. Although it may be difficult, try to remember that a small amount of crying is a normal part of being a toddler.

Do you have a calming bedtime routine?
Read: Bedtime Routine For Toddlers — Soothing And Predictable

7. Choose a Time to Have Your Final Nursing Session

You’ve already talked to your toddler, and because this has been expected and anticipated, make this a special time for both of you. Talk to your toddler about how wonderful nursing has been, but now it’s time for a special change. This will allow your toddler to say good-bye, in a way. Once he’s finished nursing this last time, be sure that you offer comfort (in the form of cuddles, and kisses).

Use The Shuffle When You Wean Your Breastfeeding Toddler

This process can be completed in as little as a few days, or can be stretched to cover a longer span of time. How long it takes to wean is really up to you, but I would encourage you to take at least a week in order to make weaning your toddler as gentle as possible.

Once your toddler is fully weaned, he may still ask to breastfeed occasionally. Instead of telling him that “big boys don’t breastfeed”, tell him that you need to rest, or offer another form of comfort for him. Remember, this is a big transition for both of you, and I want you both to look back on your breastfeeding relationship fondly.

Remember The Shuffle?
Read: The Sleep Lady Shuffle: How to Gently Sleep Train your Baby