101 Baby Care

When is a good age to ween your baby?

I’ve heard that around 10 months is a good age to start weening from breast milk to solids. Is this true & is there an ideal age?

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October 30, 2006 | In Questions |

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In my opinion, that’s a good time to start introducing solids, because baby will be receptive to new tastes and not as resistant to having anything but milk as an older child might, but continuing breastfeeding for at least the first year is best for both mother and baby; the child continues getting some protection from your milk and you get a lowered risk of breast cancer. (A Yale University study of US women, published in June 2001, found that women who breastfeed their first child for more than 13 months have a slightly reduced risk of breast cancer.) When babies are left to wean themselves, and all of them do eventually, they usually continue breastfeeding for around 2 and a half years. In the end, take your cues from your baby and your own body, but the longer you can hang on before weaning, the better for both of you. Good luck.

Comment by Cindy — November 10, 2006 #
10 months is a really good age to wein them off of milk gradually and once they hit a year, thats an ideal cut off age for breast milk. 8-10 months is a good time to start giving them some solids appropriate for their age. After a year, you dont have to completely cut them off milk (obviously). You can give them breast milk in a bottle or whole milk after a year.

good luck!

Comment by Christina — November 10, 2006 #
In my experience you can start your baby on stage 1 solids at around 6 months and still breastfeed. Some mothers breatfeed until there infants are toddlers, it is completely up to you. I would recommend BF until 1 year of age and feeding solids as well. When starting on solids remember to start with green veggies and not fruit. Then go to yellow fruit after they have been on veggies and have shown no signs of allergic reactions.

Comment by Taira — November 11, 2006 #
Personally I believe that weining depends on the individual. Personally, I believe that when a mom believes that its time for the baby to stop sucking from her breast that is totally up to her. But the concept of giving breast milk up to age 2 from a bottle is something very good for the baby. We all know that breast milk is always the best. However, from age 8 months the baby should also have healthy solid food added to his or her diet as he/she is a growing child and needs to eat according to his/her age.

Comment by Iveline — November 11, 2006 #
Most mother do not know that it takes at least a month for you to know if the formula that you are giving your child is the right one because most of the time the formula the doctor recommends or the one you use after coming home from the hospital with course “cramps, stomach ace” for the baby(s)

Comment by jackie Rampergas — November 11, 2006 #
most mother do not know but training your child early is the best way to get them to sleep at night example a bath a nice massage from head to toe then a nice warm bottle or beast feed then if you continue to do this the same time every night unless their are complications your little(s) sound sleep most of the night

Comment by jackie Rampergas — November 11, 2006 #
I do think that 10 months is the perfect age to start weening! At a year of age your child really should be drinking from a cup, whether it is breast or whole milk is your choice, however I do believe that a year of age is a good age to introduce regular whole milk for the simple fact that it will give the child the extra calcium they need to continue growing! The child will also be eating solid foods and should also be drinking some water! For those who continue giving their child a bottle after age one keep in mind that it may be detrimental to those little teeth! You should never let your child take a cup or bottle to bed because it will cause tooth decay if they sleep with fluid in their mouth all night long!

Comment by Brittany Brown — November 11, 2006 #
I would like to begin my comment by saying that were speaking about the most important being in a families life, a life that will add quality to our planet itself, or not. That leaves a huge responsibility in our, the parents hands. Each baby is different in their needs. Weening is a personal decision. Everyone has an opinion on the subject. I do believe you breastfeed for atleast a year, the reason for this is good health for you and your baby, also the bonding between mother and child is just as important. When weening please be aware that most children are allergic to cows milk, you may want to ween them onto goats milk. I have always suggested to parents to go from breastfeeding to a cup. Give a bottle in the car, water only. I wish for you love & light with your little miracle.

Comment by Robiana Panagacos — November 11, 2006 #
In my own experience, due to the general pediatrician standards, around 10 month of child’s life, you can start introducing some solids.
Here, I have put down the list, when each solid coulde be introduced to your baby diet.

1. DAIRY PRODUCT
- cow milk - children feed with breast milk, do not introduce untill the baby is over 1 year old
- cheese - 11-12 months
- yoghurt - 11 months
- cocoa - 12 months
- ice cream - 2 years old
- egg - 12 months

2. DESSERTS
- cake with jelly on top - 12 months
- chocolate - after 2 years old - watch out for an allergy
- chips and crisps - never, do not give your child
- nuts - after 3 years old, highly allergetic

Comment by Alexandra - Physiotherapist — November 11, 2006 #
3.BREAD - 10 months old

4.MEAT
- in soup, cooked - 6 months old

5.FRUIT
- apples - 4-5 months
- pear - 9 months
- banana - 12 months old
- plums - 2 years old
- cherries - 2 years old
- peach - 2 years old
- grapes - 9 months
- lemons - 12 months old
- oranges - 12 months old
- grapefruites - 12 months old
- clementines - 12 months old
- strawberries - 2 years old
- raspberries- 9 months old
- kiwi - 2 years old
- pineapple - 2 years old
- pumpkin - 2 years old
- watermelon - 12 years old
- blackberries - 2 years old
- redberries - 12 months old

6.VEGETABLES
- iceberg - 12 months old
- garlic - 2 years old
- green peas - 9 months old
- asparagus - 2 years old
- brussels - 7-8 month old
- paprika - 3 years old
- tomatoes - in soup - 7-8 month old, solid - 2 years old - highly allergetic
- potatoes - 4 months old, in the “first soup”
- carrot - 5 month old
- parsnip - 5 month old
- onion- 2 years old
- cucumbers - 3 years old, higly allergetic

7. FISH, since 10 months, children with allergies, after 2 years old

8. JUICE
- carrot - 4-5 months old
- apple - 4-5 months old
- raspberry - 5 month old
- blackberry - 5 month old
- orange - 1 year old

9. OTHERS
- butter - 10 months old
- margarine - 4 years old
- “fast food” - never

Remeber the fact, that each child is different and while giving some solids to your child you have to obser it for any allergy that occur.

Comment by Alexandra - Physiotherapist — November 11, 2006 #
I find that in my infant care business most babies ween themselves at about 9-10 mos. They become less interested in breastfeeding & more interested in playing & exploring. My infants usually eat cereal around 4-6 mos. with breastmilk. I usually start fruit after the baby has been on cereal for a few weeks. I start with applesause first but if I have an infant with really runny poop I go to banana’s then apples & pears. Once they get the hang of those fruits and have no reactions or tummy problems I start squash for 3 days then, carrots, then sweetpotatos. Then I go to another fruit like apricots or plums. Then peas & greenbeans. I have never had an infant that refused to eat veggies because they want the sweeter fruits. By 10 mos they are ready for some meats. Chicken, Turkey & Ham are the three I go with first. Beef is the very last one because it is very dry and some babies will gag a little. I also introduce some table foods at 10 mos. They most play with it but It also teaches them about textures. By age one most of my babies prefer table food and are completely on a sippy cup. I have been doing child care for 17 years and this is what works for me. Most of my moms that breast feed & work are glad the baby has learn to be more independent. It is a lot harder to break bottles & nursing if you wait much past one year.

Comment by Kellie Good — November 11, 2006 #
I believe that around 8 to 10 moths of age is the perfect time to begin weening your child from breastfeeding. Although I am not yet a parent, I have heard that it can be very difficult to ease your child from the breast to a bottle or a cup. Once you have successfully weened your child from the breast, you may choose to then pump and serve from a bottle, which I have been told is good until around 12-15 months of age. When you decide to begin feeding your child solid foods, the Gerber company has some really helpful tips, as well as many early childhood nutrition websites. Working in childcare, I do believe that by age 1 and a half to two years, your child should be eating solid foods and know how to or be learning to drink from a cup without a sipper.

Comment by Jessica Fasel — November 13, 2006 #
Hi, and great question!

There is no one perfect time to wean your child - all babies are different and all will wean when ready. Many people wean around 1 year, transitioning baby to a sippy cup at that time. Experts say that breast feeding is beneficial for 2 years or more - when to wean is a personal decision.

Weaning and introducing baby foods are not something you have to do together. Most pediatricians reccmmend that infants get most of their nutrition from breast milk or formula for their first year of life.

Introducing solid foods is something you do to help baby get used to the textures and tastes of things besides beast milk and formula. Many doctors are now suggesting waiting until baby is 6 months old to introduce solids, and that you start with thin rice cereal (mix with breast milk, formula, or water), then add veggies, then fruits, then meats. Along the way, introduce other single grain cereals as well.

Of course, it’s never “too late” to start off with the adventure that is solid food! Start with one “meal” a day, and especially if there are any allergies in your family background be sure to introduce foods one at a time, and give a single food for 3 days before introducing another food.

For example:

Thin rice cereal for 3 days - thicken gradually as baby becomes used to the taste and texture

Carrots for 3 days (stage 1)

Green beans for 3 days

etc.

Once you start offering fruits, you can add another “meal”, and then once you are ready to offer meats, a third daily ‘meal” is a good idea.

Eventually many parents offer cereal and fruit for breakfast, meat and veggie for lunch, ceral, fruit and veggie for dinner. You can offer breast milk/formula before or after each meal, depending on how your infant prefers to eat. Many babies do better with solids first, then “milk”.

Good luck, and hope this helps,

Deborah

Comment by Deborah — November 28, 2006 #
Hi, my baby is only 4 1/2 months. My boyfriend and a few family members keep telling me to go ahead and ween her. They want me to switch to bottles of formula… she won’t take a bottle though. the only thing she’ll do with it is chew on the nipple… and suck a little. she won’t flat out take it. I’m not sure what to do. I kinda want to ween her so I can go to work… but at the same time she LOVES brestfeeding. She always smiles and coos and gets real excited when I lay down to nurse her. lol My mother says she talks to the,. and of course she does the typical “pet the boob” as we say in our family where she seems like she’s petting or hugging me. So what should I do!? And I don’t know what to say to my boyfriend. I try to tell him I don’t want to ween and he gets angry and says “Whatever do what you want” It upsets me. Ya know? I’m left thinking “I brought her into the world don’t tell me what to do with her!” PLEASE email me your response…. you_could_be_a_hero@hotmail.com I’d really appreciate it.

Lizzie*

Comment by Lizzie — April 12, 2007 #
hello all. My son is four months and he won’t take the bottle. He’ll lick it a little but the formula mainly gets on his clothes. Then he’ll have a fit and scream in every octive until breastfed. I don’t mind breastfeeding, but I have to return too work ASAP. I tried pumping too, he did the same thing. Any suggestions?? Also any advice about daycare for early age infants? mine will be 5.5 months when I go back to work and I am so scared to leave him with a stranger. ?Thanks for any unsight.

Comment by sheba and fonz — April 21, 2007 #
Every one can be a working breast feeding mom if that is what is best for you and your child. I am a nurse who works 12 hour shifts and have since my daughter was 4 mo old, she is now 15 mo and still nurses. I found that what was best for her and I was to start slow she went to day care for short periods of time 3-4 hours with a bottle sometimes she would take it some times she would be hungry when I got there, over about two weeks I worked up to 8 hour days. Remember your child will not starve at some point you will return, or he will eat. Remember how hard it was for you and your child to learn to breast feed it is the same thing he will have to learn how to bottle feed. Your child may eat more or less at daycare both are normal. Your child may want to camp out at the breast when you get home, he has missed you. You and you alone know what is best for you and your child, there is a bond that no one, I mean no one else has, listen to your self watch your child and how they react to the change and then make adjustments. In parenting there is no right or wrong way to do just about anything. Follow you Mothering instincts they will not lead you astray, you are the MOM and no loves your child more than you.

Comment by Kimberley — May 16, 2007 #
I’m word a lot of doctors and research. It’s believed that babies should stay on breastmilk/formula until 9 months. However, if the baby starts to show signs of interest in food, start with natural and safe foods that are not allergy prone but not before 5/6 months. Do not introduce too many different foods because their digestive system needs time to adjust. Feed the same food for a couple of weeks before adding new items to the diet. Breast milk is the best source for building their immune system so taking them off is really up to the mom but it’s best to keep going until they are 1 yr old but a lot of women continue nursing at night.

Comment by sherry — June 17, 2007 #
sorry, bad typing in my previous comment…. first sentence is supposed to say….
I work with a lot of doctors and research.

Comment by sherry — June 17, 2007 #
I have a 9 1/2 month old and I want to start weining her from breastfeeding. She really doesn’t nurse alot during the day-and she has been eating solids since she was 6 months old. The only reason that I want to wein her is because she is killing me at night time. She is wanting to nurse all night long. We have tried since she was born to get her to take a pacificer-but she will not. I know that she isn’t hungry at night-she just want to “pacificer” herself with breastfeeding. Can anyone help me or give me some advice?? If I do wein I really don’t want to go to formula since she is giong to be 10 months old July 8th. What do I need to suppliment the breast milk with??? Cows milk or what?? PLease Help!!!!! Thanks

Comment by Kelly — June 26, 2007 #
I am trying to ween my baby. She well be 10months on the 3 of july. I have to start back at work for aug1st. SO that will be here before I know it. I tried giving her homo milk but she hates it. She makes a face like Im giving her vinegar or something. I dont want to give her formula cause she is almost ten months.

What should I do. She won’t give up nursing yet, but Im ready.
Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated.
If only I didnt have to go back to work. hehe!!

Comment by Michele — June 26, 2007 #
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Comment by Imam Hani — December 12, 2007 #
My baby is now 8 months old and she is still being breastfed. She knows what a bottle is and everytime i try to give her one she just plays with it and bites on it, but sometimes she actually sucks on it. She has taken a bottle before but now she just thinks its a toy or something. She eats solid foods twice a day and only drinks milk about 5 times a day and not for that long but i want to go to work and finish school and other people cant watch her for me while i do these things because she wont take a bottle and cries until i give her the breast. What should i do? i have been trying to ween her since she was 4 months old.

Comment by Samantha — May 7, 2008 #
I discovered with my first child to introduce a new DRINK in a cup rather than a bottle. With my daughter, she refused a bottle with breast milk or formula. Immediately I tried a soft tipped sippy cup by Nuby…she drinks water, diluted juice and formula from it - great! My daughter is nearly 9months and eats many varieties of solid foods (softened but not pureed). She nurses about 5-10 min max morning, mid day and evening (5min)….I take her off because she wants to fall asleep. She’ll fall asleep by herself when she is tired and sleeps well thru the night. I am wondering how to ween completely because I am not producing much breast milk anymore. COLD TURKEY…AM / PM??? I just don’t have the “supply” anymore.

Comment by Cylina — June 7, 2008 #
Gobble Gobble!

Comment by Turkey Mister — June 15, 2008 #
I am weening at 9 months for my sanity. I got him sleeping through the night so there wont be bottles in the bed and he eats solids and snacks and sips on a sippy cup. I am so sick of being a pacifier while my son is teething. He wont take a pacifier so I am the only comfort he has. I have been waiting to lose more than 1 pound a week so I am weening so I can lose weight and not be so crazy. I am sick of my brain cells being sucked out of me. Yes you lose calories if you breastfeed, but you also have to be subservient to you child.

Comment by Kristen — September 17, 2008 #