If you’ve decided that it’s time to wean your little one, you’ve already taken the first step in the right direction! But this will be a rather big transition for your toddler, so if they’re going through any other major changes, it might be best to wait until everything else has settled down. If not, we’ve put together a method that should help both you and your child through this transition.

But before we explore how best to wean your 2-year-old, let's quickly clarify what we mean when we talk about weaning.

What do we mean by wean?

Weaning is the process of gradually introducing an infant to regular cow’s milk and food while withdrawing the supply of a mother’s milk.

But why should I wean my child?

Whether it’s because they’re getting ready for preschool and it’s not possible for you to be around, or simply because you feel it’s time to make the break, there’s no one right or wrong answer as to why to begin weaning. Your toddler will likely have started eating solid foods from 6 months, and they’ll now be getting all the nutrients they need from regular food and drink. So though it will take them some time to get used to it, and it may be a little difficult for you, too, they’ll be absolutely fine.

So, now that you’ve established you’re ready to wean, how do you go about it?

How do I wean my toddler?

Remove daytime feeds. If your little one is still breastfeeding during the day, it’s time to transfer to the bottle. Instead, breastfeed once at night and once in the morning as these are the times your child will most likely seek the comfort and pacification breastfeeding provides.

Move them onto cow’s milk. If they’re not already drinking cow’s milk, gradually move them onto 6-month-plus progress milk, so their stomach has time to settle, and after a few weeks, you can introduce cow’s milk. Ensure they’re also eating plenty of calcium-rich foods, essential for growing bones and teeth.

Then, gradually remove the morning feed. Once they’re drinking and enjoying the cow’s milk, it’s time to gradually cut out morning breastfeeding. Offer up formula or cow’s milk instead, and a big hug!

Lastly, remove the night feed. And finally, you should keep from breastfeeding before bed, too. Your child will need a lot of extra cuddles and attention at this time, so be there and try to be patient.

We recommend that you wean gradually. This is important for you and your little one, as immediately weaning will likely be rather painful as the breasts engorge. You can pump to relieve some of this pressure, but remember that pumping often, just like having your little one continue to breastfeed, will keep your milk supply going. So wean gradually, pumping less and less, and keep wearing nursing bras until the milk production has come to a stop.

How do I wean my 2-year-old?