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Signs that a baby may be ready for weaning

Healthwise
By Debby Golonka, MPH

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Signs that a baby may be ready to wean often appear after the baby has learned to crawl (7 to 8 months) or learned to walk (11 to 15 months).

If you are breast-feeding, your baby may:

  • Suck a few times and then stop nursing.
  • Look around, play with your blouse, try to slide off your lap and move away, and seem uninterested in feeding.
  • Refuse to breast-feed.
  • Show increased interest in drinking from a cup.

If you are bottle-feeding, your baby may:

  • Take a few sips and then spit out the nipple.
  • Throw or hide bottles before they are empty.
  • Show increased interest in drinking from a cup.

Credits

Author Debby Golonka, MPH
Editor Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics
Specialist Medical Reviewer Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine
Last Updated June 19, 2008
Last Updated: 06/19/2008