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When should I wean my baby from breastfeeding?

There is no set age you must wean by. Canadian and international guidelines say breastfeeding can continue as long as it works for you and your baby, ideally to at least age 2 or beyond, alongside solid foods after 6 months.

Weaning can be baby-led, parent-led, or a mix, and going gradually over weeks makes it easier on both of you.

Strength of evidence

Strong

This is based on consistent national and international clinical guidelines (CPS, AAP, WHO, ACOG), which represent expert consensus rather than a single study.

What the evidence says

There's no required age to wean. The Canadian Paediatric Society recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months, then continuing to breastfeed alongside solid foods for as long as it's comfortable for you and your baby, even well into the toddler years. The World Health Organization and the American Academy of Pediatrics agree, suggesting continued breastfeeding to 2 years of age or beyond, as long as both parent and child want to continue.

Weaning can happen naturally when your baby gradually shifts toward more solid foods and less nursing, or it can be parent-led if you choose to stop earlier for personal, medical, or work reasons. Either approach is fine. If you're weaning before 12 months, your baby will need infant formula in place of breast milk; after 12 months, plain whole cow's milk (limited to about 500-720 mL a day) can be used instead.

However you decide to wean, going gradually (over weeks or months, dropping one feed at a time) tends to be more comfortable for both of you than stopping abruptly. Extra cuddling during bottle or cup feeds can help keep that closeness during the transition. If your baby suddenly refuses to nurse, it may be a temporary 'nursing strike' from teething, illness, or other causes rather than true readiness to wean, so check with your doctor if you're unsure.

Ultimately, the decision about when to wean is personal and depends on you and your baby's needs, and some breastfeeding is beneficial even if you stop earlier than the guidelines suggest.

Sources

✓Reviewed by CH, MD, FRCPC

Reviewed by a specialist physician certified by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, who has read this answer against the sources listed above and confirmed it reflects them. That is not medical advice about your child. How we review

Answer checked July 29, 2026

Educational information only. Not medical advice, not a diagnosis, and no doctor-patient relationship is created by using this. Founded Parent has not examined your child and does not know their history, so this may not apply to you. In an emergency, call your local emergency number. What Founded Parent cannot do

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