Language note: Throughout this and other articles on feeding, we use the terms “breastfeeding” and “bottle feeding” for consistency and readability. We recognize that terms such as “chestfeeding” or “bodyfeeding” may better reflect the experiences and identities of some parents, and we encourage the use of each parent's preferred language in clinical practice. Bottle feeding may refer to feeding expressed human milk or infant formula by bottle. We also use inclusive, non-gendered language, such as “parent,” “breastfeeding parent” and “non-breastfeeding parent,” to acknowledge and respect the diversity of families and caregiving experiences.

Formula feeding

By age 1, most toddlers are transitioning from formula to solids and other forms of milk. You can consult with your public health nurse and primary care provider on the best ways to meet your child’s nutritional needs as they transition from formula.

Breastfeeding and pumping

Some families continue breastfeeding and/or pumping human milk well into the toddler years, while others choose to stop earlier. All breastfeeding weaning timelines are normal. Breastfeeding is often about much more than nutrition. Toddlers may breastfeed for comfort, connection or reassurance, or to help them settle during illness, bedtime or after time apart. It's also common for breastfeeding frequency to change over time. Many parents expect feeds to steadily decrease, but toddlers often ask to breastfeed more during periods of illness, change or emotional stress. There is no "correct" age to stop breastfeeding. The right time is the time that works for you, your child and your family.

Weaning from breastfeeding

Many families begin weaning during the toddler stage, while others continue breastfeeding for longer. Weaning can happen gradually over many months, by dropping one feed at a time, naturally as a child loses interest, or because of changes in work, health, pregnancy or family circumstances. There’s no single right way to wean. Like many parenting decisions, weaning is influenced by your family's needs, values, culture and what feels sustainable.

The emotional side of weaning

Many parents expect weaning to be mainly a practical change. However, it can also be an emotional transition. As breastfeeding decreases or stops, hormone levels change. At the same time, parents may be adjusting to changing routines and the end of a significant chapter in their relationship with their child. Some parents feel relief, freedom or pride. Others experience sadness, grief, anxiety or a sense of loss. Most feel all these emotions and more. Being emotional about weaning does not mean you've made the wrong decision. There’s evidence that some parents are at a higher risk for the onset of mental health symptoms during and after weaning from breastfeeding. Although many parents experience only temporary emotional ups and downs, persistent feelings of depression, anxiety, hopelessness, irritability or emotional overwhelm deserve attention. If weaning has been more emotionally difficult than you expected, you’re not alone, and support is available. Our Service Finder can help you find support from a breastfeeding specialist or other professional who can help you navigate weaning and the emotions that come with it.

Feeding and your mental health

Feeding your toddler can bring its own emotional challenges. Parents often feel pressure to:

• Have a child who eats a wide variety of foods
• Make the "right" decisions about breastfeeding or weaning
• Manage picky eating without frustration
• Balance feeding with work, childcare and family life

It's easy to wonder whether you're doing enough. Remember that feeding is just one part of parenting. Your relationship with your child is built through thousands of everyday moments, not by whether they finished their dinner or breastfed until a certain age. If feeding has become a source of ongoing stress, anxiety, guilt or conflict, reaching out for support is a way of caring for both yourself and your child.

You don't have to navigate this alone

Whether you're managing picky eating, continuing to breastfeed, thinking about weaning or simply wondering if what you're experiencing is normal, help is available. Public health nurses, primary care providers, lactation consultants, dietitians and other professionals can all provide support, depending on your family's needs. Use our Service Finder to find the support that’s right for you. Your child needs nourishing food, loving relationships and a caregiver who feels supported. You deserve that support, too.

This article was developed using sourced educational content from Canadian Perinatal Mental Health Trainings CPMHT, and informed by the collective knowledge and expertise of CPMHT professionals and Karen Clarke, BA, MSW, RSW, Doula Open Book Doula, Counselling and Consulting Services.