Weaning: Signs That Baby Is Ready

Topic Overview

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 (9 to 15 months).

If you are breastfeeding, 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 breastfeed.
• 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.