Weaning your 15-month-old from breastfeeding is a big step for both you and your baby. While the process is natural, it’s important to take things slowly and gently so that your baby’s emotional and physical needs are fully considered. After all, every child is different, and there’s no single way to wean a child off the breast.
Before you even begin weaning your 15-month-old, it’s important to ask yourself: is my baby ready to be weaned? Fifteen months is still relatively young to wean a child. If your baby still has an emotional and nutritional reliance on breastfeeding, you may want to wait a little longer.
With that said, here’s a complete guide to weaning your 15-month-old from breastfeeding. Follow these steps, and you and your little one will come through the process feeling happy and content.
How To Wean A 15-Month-Old From Breastfeeding
1. Look for Signs of Readiness
If your baby is under the age of 12 months, you’ll need to watch for signs of weaning readiness. These signs include:
Decreased Interest in Breastfeeding: If your baby is easily distracted while nursing or nurses for only a short time, they may be ready to stop breastfeeding.
Increased Intake of Solid Foods: If your baby is eating more solid foods and seems satisfied after meals, they might be ready for weaning.
A Desire for More Independence: Around 15 months, many toddlers begin to crave independence. If your baby seems more interested in the world around them and less interested in breastfeeding, it may be time to start weaning.
Related: How To Stop Breast Feeding A Two Year Old
2. Establish a Timeline for Weaning
Once you’ve decided to wean your baby, you need to establish a timeline. How long do you want to take to wean your baby off the breast? Some people prefer to wean in a couple of weeks, while others may take a few months. There’s no right or wrong answer—just choose a timeline that feels comfortable for both you and your baby.
When setting a timeline, it’s important to be realistic. You don’t want to start the process and then find yourself getting stressed out or your baby becoming too upset. Take things slowly and make sure you’re both on the same page before you begin.
3. Replace Breastfeeding with Other Comforting Activities
Breastfeeding is more than just nourishment for your baby—it’s also a source of comfort. So, when you start to reduce breastfeeding, it’s important to replace it with other comforting activities. This might include cuddles, playing games, or reading stories.
If your baby is used to nursing as a way to get comfort or sleep, you’ll need to find other ways to help them settle. This could include rocking, patting, or singing lullabies. Whatever you choose, be consistent and patient—your baby may take some time to adjust to the new routine.
Related: 100 Fun Things to Do With Kids
4. Substitute Breast Milk with Cow’s Milk or an Alternative
You don’t have to worry about replacing breast milk with cow’s milk, as both provide your child with the necessary nutrients. However, there are a few things to keep in mind.
First, if you choose to use cow’s milk, make sure to introduce it gradually. You can do this by mixing cow’s milk with breast milk and then slowly increasing the amount of cow’s milk over time.
Second, if you prefer, there are other milk alternatives available, such as fortified soy milk, almond milk, and rice milk.
Related: How To Increase Breast Milk Supply
5. Gradually Reduce Breastfeeding Sessions
The final step is to gradually reduce the number of breastfeeding sessions. You can do this by cutting out one session at a time. For example, if your baby normally nurses three times a day, you could start by eliminating the midday session.
If your child protests or gets upset, try comforting them with cuddles or a snack. You can also try distracting them with a toy or a game.
It’s important to be patient and consistent during this process—it might take a few days or even a week for your baby to adjust to the change.
6. Approach Night Weaning with Sensitivity
One of the most challenging aspects of weaning can be night weaning. If your 15-month-old is still nursing several times a night, you may want to start by gradually reducing the number of nighttime sessions.
For example, if your baby normally nurses three times a night, you could start by cutting out the middle session. Then, gradually work on eliminating the other sessions, one at a time.
Again, it’s important to be patient and consistent. It might take a while for your baby to adjust to the change.
Related: How to Survive Breastfeeding at Night
7. Stay Calm and Patient Throughout the Process
Weaning can be an emotional process for both you and your child. You may feel sad, frustrated, or even angry at times. Your baby may also experience similar emotions.
The key is to remain calm and patient throughout the process. If you start to feel overwhelmed, take a break and come back to the process later. The important thing is not to give up—eventually, your child will adjust to the new routine.
Related: How To Create a Bedtime Routine for Your Toddler
8. Support Each Other Throughout the Process
Weaning can be a difficult process for both parents and children. It’s important that both of you support each other during this time. Talk to each other about the process and work together to come up with a plan that works for both of you.
If you have any concerns or questions, don’t hesitate to ask your partner for support. They can offer advice and help you through this challenging time.
Related: 5 Ways to Heal Sore Nipples from Breastfeeding
9. Be Flexible with Your Approach
Every child is different, and there’s no one perfect way to go about weaning. If your approach isn’t working, don’t be afraid to try something different.
Be open to experimenting with different techniques and methods. The most important thing is that you and your child are comfortable with the process.
Conclusion
Weaning your 15-month-old from breastfeeding can be a difficult process. But if you take it slowly and gently, and follow the tips above, both you and your child should be able to navigate the process with ease.
Just remember to be patient and consistent, and most importantly—offer plenty of love and support throughout the process.
