Q&A: Weaning A One Year Old Baby
Q My daughter is 10 and a half months old. I am considering weaning her shortly after her first birthday. How do I go about it? I am currently expressing my milk twice a day at work and nursing her in the morning and evenings. My care provider feeds her my expressed milk during the day two to three times and gives her small amounts of formula with her meals. She eats a wide range of solids but doesn't eat much at an individual sitting (half a jar of a meat based product and a few bites of vegetables or fruit). Therefore, I'm not sure if she's getting enough nutrients. Her 9 month well baby check dropped her from her usual 95% for growth and development to 50%. I'm concerned that if I wean, she will suffer. How do I decide if it's the right time and how do I begin? Thank you!
A When you begin to wean your baby, I suggest that you do it very slowly. Cutting out one feeding every week or so would do it. And remember to cut out the formula before the breastmilk, since breastmilk is superior. Right now your baby is getting most of her nutrients from breastmilk, not food. So, until she is eating more and on a regular basis, you might want to consider putting off your decision to wean. You might want to revisit this question later, at her first birthday. Also, it's important that you discuss your concerns about your babies growth and development with your pediatrician. Your doctor should discuss with you what happens to the average breastfed baby at different times of development
Warmy,
Wendy Goldenthal
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A Certified Breastfeeding Counselor with eight years of experience. She is the founder and owner of Nursing Mothers Supplies, a website where breastfeeding mothers can purchase breastfeeding supplies and get a little advice as well.
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