What Does Weaning A Toddler Involve?

Weaning a toddler refers to the process of transitioning a baby away from their mother’s breast milk as their source of food. While extended breastfeeding of a child does not result in any developmental problems, weaning a baby usually commences at around 6 months of age. At this stage, in what is called complementary feeding, the baby can be introduced to a combination of solid food and breast milk. Gradually the amount of breast milk is reduced to nothing and the baby relies on solid food entirely.

Although babies at this age are unlikely to be speaking, many experts suggest that the mother explain to the child (in very simple ways) what is about to happen to help ease the transition. A good approach is to gradually decrease the amount of time that the mother allows the baby to suckle – especially at the end of a feeding period.