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Deciding what age to ween your child is a very emotional decision for both you and your child. This decision has many factors involved and should not be taken lightly. First of all, you are an amazing mother for making the decision to breastfeed over formula. This has been an amazing bonding period between you and your child that you cannot receive fully by bottle feeding. When you make the decision to stop please realize that it will be difficult for you both. You and your child should both be equally ready for this change. Sometimes the decision is made for medical reasons whether it be your health or your child's. If this decision was made by your doctor then do so but try to do it slow and with compassion. This is not a step that you accomplish overnight. Otherwise, your child will normally make this decision for you. Simply pay attention to their signs...are they noticing other children with sippy cups? Do they reach for your cup at dinner? When you start this process...try to keep your breasts hidden from their view for a few weeks at least because that may remind them of what they have forgotten about and you will have to start all over. The first few days will be painful physically for you as well as emotionally but don't let this stop what you have already begun. That will only make it harder on you and confusing for them. There is no way to give a specific age when a child is ready for this because they are all different. Society and our government seem to mark every opportunity with age but we all know that not every child is ready to drive at 16, vote at 18 and definitely not drink at 21. Make this decision based on your child's' needs and not by the looks that you receive from others. You are this child's' mother and you know best.

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