Feeding Transitions Part 3: Toddler Weaning and the Signs Your Child Is Ready to Move On

This blog post is part of our three-part expert series where we walk you through what this balance really looks like in the first year and beyond, guided by insights from a pediatrician, registered dietitian, and speech-language pathologist.

If you’re starting to wonder whether it might be time to end breastfeeding or formula feeding, or you’re noticing early signs that your toddler is ready for change, Part Three helps you make sense of what you’re experiencing. Our goal is to offer clarity while honoring the emotional side of this transition. No pressure, no “shoulds”—just supportive guidance you can take at your own pace.

If you’re earlier in your feeding journey, Part One of this series covers how to start solids with confidence, and Part Two walks you through the feeding transitions that come with turning one.

What is toddler weaning and when does it usually happen?

Toddler weaning doesn’t happen in one moment—it’s something that unfolds gradually as your child develops new skills, interests, and ways of finding comfort.

In this article, our team of experts helps you navigate the practical and emotional sides of weaning during toddlerhood. Our pediatrician, Dr. Michelle Shiffman, shares what readiness looks like and why weaning timelines vary so widely. Our pediatric dietitian, Catharine Seiler, breaks down how to support your child’s nutrition as milk intake decreases. And our speech-language pathologist and feeding therapist, Lauren Remondino, offers strategies to help your toddler build new routines—and stay connected—throughout the process.

How to tell when your toddler may be ready to wean

Weaning is not a switch you flip. It is a gradual change in how your child eats and how you both find comfort. Many families wean over weeks or months. The pace depends on your child’s age, personality, feeding style, and on your needs as a parent. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) supports breastfeeding as long as parent and child want to, including through the second year or beyond. That means there is no single “right” time to stop. 

How personality and routines affect weaning

Every toddler approaches weaning a little differently, and their temperament often shapes what the transition looks like.

• Some toddlers are go-with-the-flow and cut back on nursing or bottles on their own as they get busy with play and meals.
  
  

• Others need more structure. They do best when you keep steady routines and remove one feeding at a time.

Common toddler readiness signs for weaning

• Eating a wide range of solid foods each day.
  
  

• Drinking well from a straw cup or open cup.
  
  

• Shorter or skipped nursing or bottle sessions.
  
  

• Less interest in feeding when busy or distracted.
  
  

Signs you might be ready to make a change, too

Weaning is also influenced by your needs—your comfort and wellbeing matter in this process.

• You feel mentally or physically done and want to stop.
  
  

• Nursing is painful or you have frequent infections.
  
  

• Work, pregnancy, or sleep needs make change important for your health or family.
  
  

If a big life change is happening right now, consider slowing down. It can help to wait until things feel more steady before dropping feeds.

The difference between self-led weaning and guided weaning

Some toddlers slowly lose interest and wean on their own. Others still look for nursing or bottles for comfort. In those cases, you can guide the process by setting gentle limits, offering cups and snacks first, and keeping lots of connection.

Ways families approach toddler weaning

Regardless of how you feed your child, the idea of weaning can feel very emotional for families. Some parents are anxious to get the process over with and others might mourn that feeding time with their little one. One client once told me she didn’t want to stop giving her baby his nighttime bottle because she loved hearing the little breaths he took as he was starting to fall asleep. However you are feeling, we know that this process might feel like it's looming over you a little bit.

There are several paths forward, and most families find a rhythm that reflects both their child’s readiness and their own needs.

Gradual toddler weaning and how to drop feeds slowly

Many families appreciate a slower, steady transition that gives everyone time to adjust emotionally and physically.

How gradual breastfeeding weaning can look day to day

Drop one feeding every few days or weeks, often beginning with the least preferred session, while offering comfort, cuddles, and nutritious solid foods or milk in a cup instead. This slow approach helps maintain bonding, minimize engorgement or mastitis risk, and supports a gentle transition. You can find more details on how the AAP recommends weaning .

Another common method is the “don’t offer, but don’t refuse” method. Many nursing parents naturally move into this method as their children get older. However, this method may take longer to fully wean, so if you’re hoping for a quicker shift, this may not be the best fit.

Ways to slowly move away from bottles or formula

Replace one bottle at a time with a straw or open cup, while keeping routines like story time or cuddles consistent to preserve comfort and security. Offer milk at meals and snacks and water between.

Quicker transitions: stopping breastfeeding or bottles all at once

Some families choose—or need—to make a faster transition. This can work well when it’s done with extra comfort and steadiness.

What a faster breastfeeding transition may involve

For a breastfeeding parent, the need to stop quickly can occur if someone must stop for medical reasons or feels ready for a definitive transition. It often requires careful planning to manage breast discomfort, such as using cold compresses, wearing supportive bras, and expressing small amounts of milk for relief.

Stopping bottles all at once

For bottle weaning, this involves stopping all bottle feeds at once and transitioning the child directly to a cup. This method can work best for toddlers who are developmentally ready and already comfortable drinking from a straw or open cup.

In both scenarios, because the change can be sudden, try to offer extra comfort, attention, and consistency in routines to help your child adjust. While some children adapt quickly, others may show distress or increased clinginess, so maintaining consistent reassurance and emotional support during this big shift is key.

Everyday weaning strategies that support routines and comfort

As feeding routines shift, a few simple strategies can help your toddler feel secure — and help you feel grounded, too.

Changes to daily routines

• Change the routine: Alter your routine from when and where feeding usually happens—like skipping the usual nursing chair or replacing the bedtime bottle with story time—to help break strong associations.
  
  

• Offer a special cup: Let your child pick out a colorful straw or open cup featuring their favorite character to make the transition exciting.
  
  

• Distraction and redirection: Engage your child in outdoor play, reading, or snacks at typical feeding times to naturally shift focus.
  
  

• Gradual dilution (for bottles): Slowly dilute milk with water over time so the bottle becomes less appealing, encouraging the switch to a cup.
  
  

• Storytelling and books: Read age-appropriate books about weaning to help your child understand and feel proud of growing up.
  
  

Supporting comfort and connection

Toddlers often look for extra warmth and reassurance during weaning. These connection-first ideas can help your little one feel grounded as routines shift.

• Introduce new comfort rituals: Replace feeding times with cuddles, songs, rocking, or gentle back rubs to maintain connection and security.
  
  

• Snuggle rituals: Rocking, reading, or singing at the times you used to feed.
  
  

• Predictable attention: One-on-one “special time” daily, even 10 minutes.
  
  

• Calm substitutes: Offer a cup of milk or water with a snack, a favorite blanket, or a short game.
  
  

• Name feelings: “You want milk because it feels cozy. We will read together now and that feels cozy too.”
  
  

Encouraging toddler autonomy

• Offer choices: If your child is older, you can let them decide which feeding to skip first or what they’d like to do instead—it gives them a sense of control and cooperation.
  
  

• Use positive reinforcement: Celebrate milestones with praise or small rewards when your child chooses a cup or skips a feeding.
  
  

What to offer your toddler nutritionally after weaning

As weaning is well underway and breast milk and/or formula intake decreases, many families have questions about how to make sure their toddler’s nutritional needs are still being met. A few key nutrients that breastmilk and/or formula provide in an older infant are fluid, calcium, protein, and fat. These nutrients can be easily met by water, cow’s milk or alternatives, and a diet that consists of a wide range of foods.

Simple tips to follow for your toddler:

• Water should be available and offered regularly throughout the day.
  
  

• Cow’s milk or a suitable alternative can be offered ideally at mealtimes or as part of an evening snack routine.
  
  

• Balanced meals offered three times a day. In each meal, include a protein source + carbohydrates + fruits and/or vegetables + healthy fats.
  
  

• Snacks offered between meals (typically 2–3 total per day). It’s ok if this is a single food or something more filling like a protein + carb if needed.
  
  

How appetite naturally changes during toddler weaning

Try not to worry about the exact quantity that your child eats at a particular meal or even in a day. Toddler appetites and intake can be notoriously variable. What matters is offering a range of foods from all food groups over the course of the week.

The emotional side of toddler weaning (for both of you)

Weaning touches feelings, not just feeding. As routines shift, it’s completely normal for both you and your toddler to experience big emotions. This section focuses on what those feelings can look like — and why they matter.

Why toddlers often look for more comfort during this shift

Feeding has been a built-in way to feel safe. When that changes, toddlers look for other ways to connect. Expect more seeking behaviors at first, like extra cuddles or asking for the breast or bottle at usual times. Keep your routines steady and give clear, kind messages about what comes next.

How emotional needs show up for toddlers

Toddlers often express their feelings through closeness, clinginess, or needing more reassurance. These changes are normal and reflect their growing understanding of routines shifting around them.

What parents commonly feel during toddler weaning

Parents often feel hormonal and emotional shifts during and after weaning. Moving away from regular milk removal can change hormone levels, and the identity shift can feel big. Go slow if you can, rest when possible, and ask for help from your partner, family, or friends. If mood changes are strong or last more than two weeks, talk with your physician.

When it helps to pause weaning and try again later

Some seasons make change harder—for both you and your child. Pressing pause is not only okay, it’s often helpful.

The AAP has a great article on when it's ok to pause and start again.

Life changes that make weaning harder:

1. If your child is sick

2. If your family has some big changes coming up like starting a new school, or welcoming a new baby.

3. If there are food allergies in the family. Talk to your pediatrician but recent studies have shown that exposure to potential allergens while the birth parent is pregnant and while breastfeeding may actually prevent allergies in the child. 

Common toddler weaning challenges and how families move through them

Even with the gentlest approach, toddler weaning can bring some bumps. Most challenges are temporary and resolve with consistency and comfort.

What to do if sleep gets bumpy during weaning

It’s common for sleep to temporarily worsen during weaning, as feeding is often tied to comfort and bedtime routines. To ease the transition, replace feeding with consistent, soothing rituals like rocking, singing, or back pats to help your child feel secure while learning new ways to fall asleep.

If you typically feed to sleep, before you start the weaning process, try to add an activity between the feed and being put into the crib/bed. For example, bottle → book → bed rather than book → bottle → bed.

It can also feel reassuring for parents to have a plan on what they want to do if their little one wakes up looking to feed. It’s hard (I struggled too!) but usually it passes more quickly if parents are consistent with their approach.

Why regressions happen and how to respond with confidence

Some children may ask to nurse or have a bottle again after seeming “done,” especially during stress or illness. This is normal—respond with patience, offer extra comfort and connection, and maintain the new routine to help your child feel settled again.

Caring for yourself if guilt or mixed feelings come up

Many parents feel sadness or guilt about ending breastfeeding or bottle feeding, especially if it’s earlier or more difficult than planned. Remind yourself that weaning is a natural stage of growth and that your love, comfort, and presence—not feeding—are what truly nurture your child’s bond and well-being.

A few final thoughts on toddler weaning

Toddler weaning is a big transition, and like most parts of feeding, it rarely follows a straight line. Some days feel steady, others feel tender, and many families find themselves somewhere in between. Wherever you are in this process, remember that weaning isn’t about getting it “right” — it’s about finding what works for you and your child in this season.

Your toddler will continue to grow, explore, and build new skills with your support, whether milk feeds fade slowly or shift more quickly. And you’re allowed to have feelings about it, too. This stage marks the end of one chapter, but it also makes room for new routines, new ways of connecting, and new confidence for both of you.

Written by Dr Michelle Shiffman, MD, Lauren Remondino, M. Ed., CCC-SLP, IBCLC & Catharine Seiler, RD, LDN (Full bios)

Dr Michelle Shiffman - Pediatrician & Advisor at Bébé Foodie

Dr. Michelle Shiffman is a board-certified pediatrician based in Denver, Colorado. She brings her expertise in early development, food introduction, and culturally-sensitive care to Bébé Foodie, where she supports the creation of our evidence-based content and contributes to our expert panel. Michelle’s favorite part of her work is connecting with families during infant and toddler visits—especially when it comes to discussing developmental milestones and feeding. As a mom herself, she's also experienced the ups and downs of starting solids and managing picky eating.

Lauren Remondino - Feeding Therapist, Speech Language Pathologist, Lactation Consultant & Advisor at Bébé Foodie

Lauren Remondino is a speech language pathologist that specializes in pediatric feeding therapy, lactation consultant, and mom of two. After years working at a top children’s hospital, she now brings her clinical expertise—and real-life parenting perspective—to Bébé Foodie. Lauren works closely on developing our How to Serve guides and feeding support content, helping parents feel confident at every stage of their baby’s food journey. She’s all about keeping things realistic, flexible, and supportive—because feeding isn’t one-size-fits-all, especially when you’re juggling nap schedules and snack requests.

Catharine Seiler - Pediatric Dietitian & Advisor at Bébé Foodie
Catharine Seiler is a pediatric dietitian with over 14 years of experience in both clinical and outpatient settings. She’s worked at Boston Children’s Hospital and now supports families daily at Lexington Pediatrics. At Bébé Foodie, Catharine lends her expertise to help parents feel confident about nutrition, from growth concerns to picky eating and food allergies. As a mom of two, she brings both professional insight and a real-life understanding of what feeding kids actually looks like.