How (and When) to Wean a Child From Formula
If you are feeding – or planning to feed – a newborn formula, you may be wondering how long it will take you. When is the right time to wean them? How do you know when they are ready? While there is no magic formula, here are some basic guidelines.
When is the right time for weaning?
According to the Mayo Clinic, “Baby food is usually recommended up to 1 year old and whole milk up to 2 years old, but check with your child’s doctor for specific recommendations.”
The key is that your child is healthy and getting enough nutrients from solid table foods (which they previously relied on a formula rich in minerals and nutrients). If their diet is nutritionally balanced and includes a mixture of fruits, vegetables, protein, and grains, they may be willing to even give up formula milk before they turn 1 year old. (However, do not inject cow’s milk before it reaches its first birthday – it has too much protein for the digestive system and kidneys to process, which can lead to anemia and intestinal bleeding .)
Note, however, that some babies will need to keep taking formula longer if they are not gaining enough weight, were born prematurely, have food allergies, or are not yet on a solid table food diet. Check with your doctor if you suspect any of these conditions may be a factor.
Why is weaning important?
If your toddler knows the bottle is still available, he may be filling it with formula instead of eating solid food and missing out on important nutrients in his diet. Drinking mixture before bed and before bed can also contribute to the development of tooth decay . But after a year of daily pleasures, how do you get them to give up their beloved, very comforting bottles?
How to help your child stop using formula
Tossing a cold turkey in a bottle is not easy; most babies will get better with the gradual transition. If your child tolerates cow’s milk well, give small portions of milk where he would normally receive formula (two to four ounces). Over the next 7-10 days, increase the amount of milk, while reducing the portions of the formula, until it is gradually stopped.
If they don’t immediately jump to cow’s milk, you’ll have to be a little tricky. Mix two ounces of prepared formula (not powder) with two ounces of cow’s milk in one bottle. Over the next week, gradually increase the amount of milk until there is no mixture left.
Other tips for avoiding bottles
Introducing a drinking cup at six months before you actually expect your baby to use it all the time is an easy way to let him know that there are other ways to drink. They won’t have hand-eye coordination to use it properly (without spilling), but exposure is helpful nonetheless.
Help your child drop one bottle at a time, replacing it with a glass of milk or solid food. A morning or afternoon bottle will be easier to toss than a bottle before bed, so start there. As soon as your child overdoes it and gives up daytime bottles, change their sleep patterns to make it a little easier for him to give up nighttime snacks.
Be patient with your little one
Be patient with your baby and yourself. Habits don’t break overnight, especially when you have mental discipline, well, like a one year old. Move slowly, don’t expect miracles, and trust your child won’t take a bottle to college. If you act consistently (which means you won’t coax them or soothe them with a bottle every time they cry), it will happen soon enough.