There's no single right time to stop breastfeeding. The WHO, the NHS and the AAP recommend breast milk only for about the first 6 months, then breastfeeding alongside food for up to 2 years or beyond — for as long as you and your child want. Whenever you stop, the gentlest way is usually to drop one feed at a time.
Going slowly gives your body and your child time to adjust, and lowers the risk of overfull breasts and mastitis. This guide covers how to wean step by step, what replaces breastfeeds at each age, keeping your breasts comfortable, stopping quickly if you need to, weaning a toddler, and the feelings that can come with it.
When should you stop breastfeeding?
It's your decision, and it can depend on work, health, your child's needs and how breastfeeding feels for you both. Here's what the major health bodies recommend:
| Source | Breast milk only | Continue alongside food |
|---|---|---|
| WHO | First 6 months | Up to 2 years or beyond |
| NHS (UK) | First 6 months | Up to 2 years or longer |
| AAP (US) | About the first 6 months | 2 years or beyond, as long as you both want |
The NHS notes that breastfeeding still helps protect against infections after 6 months, and that there's no reason to stop in the second year or beyond. The Australian Breastfeeding Association's weaning guide doesn't set an age; it says your approach will depend on your child's age and how quickly you want to stop.
Weaning doesn't have to be all or nothing. If you'd rather keep some breastfeeds — for example when you go back to work — combining breastfeeding with other feeds is an option too. See combination feeding and returning to work.
How do you wean from the breast gradually?
- Choose the first feed to drop. The NHS says the order doesn't matter; the Australian Breastfeeding Association suggests starting with the one that feels easiest to let go. Many families keep the bedtime, night or first-morning feeds until last, because they're often most important for comfort.
- Replace it. Under 12 months, offer infant formula instead (see the table below). Over 12 months, offer a snack, a drink, a cuddle or a change of scene.
- Wait before the next step. The Australian Breastfeeding Association suggests waiting a few days; the NHS says to wait until you and your baby have settled into the new pattern.
- Watch your breasts. If they feel very full, express just enough to be comfortable (see below), and slow down.
- Drop the next feed. Repeat until you've reached the number of feeds you want — which may be none, or one or two a day for a while.
The NHS says stopping completely can take anything from a few weeks to several months. Other gentle options from the Australian Breastfeeding Association include offering one breast per feed and keeping a predictable routine. For babies under 6 months, it suggests offering formula before a breastfeed; for older babies, offering food and drinks first.
Example plan — adjust to your child
This is a made-up example for a 9-month-old having four breastfeeds a day, not a timetable to follow.
| Week | Change |
|---|---|
| 1 | Mid-morning feed replaced with formula in a cup |
| 2 | Mid-afternoon feed replaced the same way |
| 3–4 | Pause; settle into two feeds a day |
| 5 | First-morning feed replaced with breakfast and a cup of formula |
| 6 onwards | Bedtime feed shortened, then dropped when you're both ready |
What should replace breastfeeds at each age?
| Child's age | What replaces a breastfeed |
|---|---|
| Under 6 months | Infant formula, by bottle |
| 6 to 12 months | Infant formula by cup or bottle, alongside solid foods |
| Over 12 months | Food and drinks — full cream cows' milk and water; no replacement milk needed |
The NHS says breast milk or formula should stay the main drink until at least your baby's 1st birthday, and cows' milk isn't suitable as a main drink before then (it can be used in cooking). The Australian Breastfeeding Association says infant formula is the safest alternative under 12 months, and that toddler formula isn't needed after 12 months. For the switch to cows' milk, see moving to cows' milk. Keep offering iron-rich foods — see first foods and iron.
How do you keep your breasts comfortable while weaning?
Your breasts may feel full for a few days after each dropped feed.
- Express only for comfort. The Australian Breastfeeding Association's page on stopping your milk supply says to express just enough to feel comfortable — you don't need to empty your breasts — and to gradually express less, and less often.
- Use cool packs between feeds for pain and swelling.
- Wear a comfortable, supportive bra and use breast pads for leaks.
- Ask a pharmacist or doctor about pain relief that suits you, and follow the label.
- Check your breasts daily for lumps, soreness or redness, and act early if you find any.
If you find a tender, hard or red area, don't massage it firmly or try to "drain" it. The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine's 2022 protocol says deep massage increases inflammation, and feeding or pumping to empty the breast keeps milk production up. Instead, use cool packs, light strokes over the skin only, anti-inflammatory pain relief checked with a pharmacist, and express a small amount for comfort. Slowing the weaning down for a few days often helps too; the Australian Breastfeeding Association's mastitis page advises weaning gradually over several weeks to prevent mastitis. See mastitis for more.
What if you need to stop breastfeeding quickly?
Sometimes weaning has to be faster, for health or other reasons. The Australian Breastfeeding Association suggests:
- replacing one or two feeds a day with infant formula, or every second feed if you need to go faster
- expressing only when your breasts feel uncomfortable, and only enough to feel comfortable
- cutting back gradually until you're expressing only every few days, then stopping.
Medicines that reduce milk production only work in the early days after birth, so talk to your doctor about your options. The longer you've been breastfeeding, the longer supply usually takes to settle; for some it's days, for others weeks, and leaking can continue for a while. If you've been told to stop breastfeeding because of a medicine or treatment, it's worth checking with your doctor or pharmacist whether you need to stop before you wean.
How do you wean a toddler?
The Australian Breastfeeding Association's guide to weaning a toddler suggests a mix of these:
- Set limits, such as feeding only at home or at certain times.
- Shorten feeds, ending them gently with "time to finish now, let's go outside".
- Distract and redirect with a snack, drink or new activity before your toddler gets restless, and get up before them in the morning.
- Never offer, never refuse — a gentle option if you feel uncomfortable saying no.
- Ask familiar carers to help with other foods and drinks.
Sleep-time feeds are often the hardest to drop. Gradually move the feed earlier, away from falling asleep; build a bedtime routine with songs, books, rocking or patting; and let a partner settle night wakings with a cuddle or a drink of water. Weaning doesn't necessarily mean your toddler will sleep longer. See night weaning and toddler sleep.
How might weaning feel for you and your child?
Weaning is a big change for both of you. The Australian Breastfeeding Association says:
- Your child may be clingier, crankier or more independent for a while. Many families find extra cuddles and a predictable routine help.
- You may feel loss, sadness or grief, even if you chose to wean and it went smoothly.
- Hormone changes as prolactin and oxytocin drop can bring mood swings, tearfulness or not feeling like yourself. These usually settle within a few weeks, but can be stronger if weaning is quick.
Talk to your GP or child-health nurse, or call a perinatal support line (PANDA on 1300 726 306 in Australia, Samaritans on 116 123 in the UK, the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline on 1-833-852-6262 in the US), if low mood or anxiety doesn't lift after a few weeks. If you have thoughts of harming yourself or your child, call a crisis line (Lifeline on 13 11 14 in Australia, Samaritans on 116 123 in the UK, 988 in the US) or your local emergency number (000 in Australia, 999 in the UK, 911 in the US) now. See postnatal mood.
When should you get help while weaning?
Call your local emergency number (000 in Australia, 999 in the UK, 911 in the US) now if you have signs of sepsis, such as fast breathing, confusion or slurred speech, blue, pale or blotchy skin, or feeling very hot, very cold or shivery — the NHS sepsis page lists these as reasons to call an ambulance.
See a doctor the same day if you have a red, hot or painful area of the breast with fever, chills or flu-like aches, or redness that's spreading or streaked.
See a doctor soon if a sore lump or red area isn't improving within 12 to 24 hours of self-care, as the NHS mastitis page advises.
Get support from your child-health nurse or a breastfeeding helpline (the Australian Breastfeeding Association on 1800 686 268 in Australia, the National Breastfeeding Helpline on 0300 100 0212 in the UK) if your baby under 12 months won't take formula or other milk, you're unsure what to offer, or you'd like help with a weaning plan.
What's useful to note
Write down which feeds you've dropped and when, how your breasts feel each day, and how your child is eating and sleeping. It helps you pace the next step and gives a nurse or counsellor a clear picture if you need advice.
