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Sooner or later, the time will come to wean your baby. Whether your baby is chest-fed or bottle-fed, making the big change to your baby’s mealtime can be exciting and nerve-wracking, but it doesn’t have to be stressful. Read on to learn how you and your baby can have a smooth transition off the bottle!

When should I wean my baby from the bottle?

Around 6-8 months of age, your baby is ready to start drinking from a cup. Whether they are drinking human milk or formula out of a bottle, the goal is to have them weaned from the bottle and only drinking from a cup by 12-15 months of age. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), babies who stay on bottles after 18 months have a higher risk of tooth decay. They may also drink more milk than they need and miss out on the nutrients found in other foods. Also, the older a baby gets, the harder it might be to give up the bottle. Try to wean your baby at a time when your family’s life is calm and your baby is on a normal schedule. Too much change at one time can be very hard on them!

How should I wean my baby from the bottle?

Taking away bottle feedings all at once isn’t a good idea for your baby, or you! Instead, slowly move them away from using the bottle. Start offering small amounts of liquid in a regular, open cup around 6 months. Mealtimes will be messy for a few weeks, but your baby needs practice drinking from other containers to feel comfortable. Start by offering a cup at lunchtime. Next, serve a cup at breakfast and for the afternoon feedings. Usually, the evening or bedtime bottle is the hardest to drop, so that should be the last bottle to go.

My baby gets so much of their nutrition from bottle or chest-feeding. How can I make sure they’re getting enough food?

Being concerned that your baby is getting enough nutrition is a normal worry for parents, but don’t let those worries keep you from weaning. Your baby may drink less human milk or formula when they start drinking from a cup — but they should also start eating more solid food to make up for it. Avoid giving your child milk or juice outside of meal and snack time. They need just 2-3 cups of milk and no more than 4-6 oz. of juice each day otherwise they may stay full from liquids, and be less likely to eat food. Solid foods contain many nutrients that your child won’t get from drinks. Your baby’s growth and weight are the best signs that they’re eating enough, which your pediatrician and WIC are keeping track of.

What kind of cup should my baby drink out of after the bottle is gone?

Choose a small 4-ounce cup that your baby can easily hold and raise to their mouth. Some babies like cups with handles. Cups without lids help your child learn and are less likely to be carried around all day. If you choose a small plastic cup with a lid, the lid should have a hard spout without a spill proof valve.

How can I wean my baby from chest-feeding?

Chest-fed babies should also be weaned gradually. Use the same method as mentioned above for weaning from the bottle. Drop the midday feeding, then morning and afternoon feedings, giving a cup instead. You may choose to continue the evening feeding a little longer, as this feeding is comforting and helps your baby relax for bedtime. “I distracted my son with a blanket when it was time for his nighttime feeding,” says Sherry Coleman Collins, MS, RDN, LD, who has a 2-year-old son. “The blanket gave him the comfort he was getting from chest-feeding. Soon, he didn’t even ask to be chest-fed. The blanket helped us to have a relatively smooth transition.” Slowly weaning from chest-feeding will also help to ease the discomfort caused by engorged or leaky breasts.

Remember, it’s up to you! You can help your child grow
 well, be healthy, and say “bye-bye bottle” for good!