The AmericanAcademy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that babies are breast-fed exclusively for the first six months, and not weaned completely from the breast or bottle until after one year. The World Health Organization and UNICEF recommend weaning after two years of age. Providing there is no risk to the child’s health, it is up to the mother to decide whether she and her child are ready to wean completely.

Begin gradually by eliminating a portion of the breast or bottle feed during the mealtimes your child is least excited about. This is usually the lunchtime or dinnertime feed. Choose a time when you and your child are well and baby is not tired or teething. The introduction of solid food is necessary because your baby’s natural store of iron becomes depleted after six months of age, and needs to be replaced by iron-enriched foods. Solid food also supplies the extra calories your child requires as he becomes more active.

Introduce a small portion of iron-enriched cereal, a teaspoon or two to begin with, during one meal. Then complete the meal with the breast or bottle.

Repeat this process with the dinnertime feed. After several weeks, the amount of solid food, and the variety given will be increasing, and the amount of breast or bottle milk reduced accordingly.

It is important to ensure that adequate fluids such as water or a fruit drink specially formulated for babies are given.

Children still require milk as part of their daily nutrition to ensure they consume an adequate supply of calcium that is so important for their growth and development. The amount given is dependent upon your child’s age.

The AAP recommends that babies of one year should receive 600mg of calcium per day and 800mg of calcium per day from one year to five years of age. A cup of milk contains 300mg of calcium.

Introduce one food at a time to allow your child to explore the taste and texture of different foods. When your baby is tolerating solids well, the morning feed can gradually be replaced in the same manner. The process may take several months before your child is eating from all the necessary food groups.

The final feed of the day is often the most difficult one for the child to give up, as this is a time when the breast or bottle is used to comfort prior to bedtime. At the age of seven or eight months, your child may be sitting up unaided and able to hold an object in both hands. This indicates that he is ready to hold a cup making it easier to eliminate breast or bottle feeding entirely.

Begin by cutting down on the length of feeding each night. If he refuses to settle down, don’t rush it. Take it gradually over a period of a few weeks. Offer him some other source of comfort, such as extra cuddling or a special blanket or teddy bear.

When your child is confidently drinking from a cup at all times during the day, drinking from a cup at bedtime becomes a natural progression.

It is easier to substitute cups with a younger child as a toddler can be more stubborn making habits difficult to change.

Allow your child to play with an empty baby ‘sippy’ cup with two handles during mealtimes and become familiar with how it is used. You can use a similar cup and show your child how you use the cup. Children are naturally curious and will attempt to imitate your actions.

Once your child is able to hold a cup unaided, a couple of tablespoons of breast milk or formula can be placed in the cup and offered to your child. Gradually, more milk can be added over subsequent meals until the cup replaces the breast or bottle completely.

If there is any resistance from your child to drink from a cup, don’t force the issue. Simply wait a few more days then begin again by allowing your child to explore the cup as before.

If you are dealing with a toddler, once he is no longer using bottles they should be removed from his surroundings. You can turn this process into a learning experience by packing the bottles up and donating them to charity together. There are many different varieties of cups available to purchase. Cups with a straw attached, and unusual shaped cups can make the transition to cup drinking easier and fun.

Your child will normally eat what his body requires and this can vary from meal to meal and from day to day. By offering a variety of nutritious foods you will ensure that he is receiving the nutrients he requires to grow and develop.

The AAP recommends that babies of one year should receive 600mg of calcium per day and 800mg of calcium per day from one year to five years of age. A cup of milk contains 300mg of calcium.

Your doctor can help you decide if a vitamin or mineral supplement is necessary.

Don't allow your toddler to take a bottle or cup to bed; substitute a blanket or stuffed animal.

Overall, the best approach to weaning is to let it happen gradually.