Deciding to wean your baby off breastfeeding is a deeply personal choice, and every family’s journey is different. Some parents are ready to stop, while others want to continue breastfeeding even after their child starts childcare.
The good news? You don’t have to wean your baby just because they’re starting childcare. At Little Scribblers, we fully support breastfeeding families—whether that means providing a safe space for you to feed your baby at the centre or ensuring your baby receives expressed breastmilk during the day.
If you are ready to begin weaning, we’ll walk you through how to do it gently, but if you’d rather continue breastfeeding, we’re here to support your choices every step of the way.
Do I have to stop breastfeeding when my baby starts childcare?
Absolutely not! Many mothers continue breastfeeding even after their baby starts daycare, nursery, or long day care. At Little Scribblers, we work closely with families to honour their feeding preferences and offer:
- A welcoming space for mothers to breastfeed at the centre if they’d like to feed their baby during the day.
- Storage for expressed breastmilk so babies can continue receiving breastmilk while at childcare.
- Educators trained in handling and feeding expressed milk safely.
Starting childcare does not mean you have to stop breastfeeding—it just means finding a routine that works best for you and your baby.
How to continue breastfeeding after your baby starts childcare
If you want to keep breastfeeding but your baby is starting daycare, here are some tips to help with the transition:
- Plan your breastfeeding routine
- Decide how often you’d like to breastfeed around your childcare schedule:
- Morning and evening feeds – Many mums continue breastfeeding before drop-off and after pick-up.
- Midday visits – If you’d like to come into the centre to nurse, speak to us about a quiet, comfortable space for feeding.
- Expressing milk for daycare – Pump and store breastmilk so educators can bottle-feed your baby during the day.
- Start expressing and storing breastmilk
- If your baby hasn’t taken a bottle of expressed milk before, introduce one a few weeks before starting childcare so they get used to the new feeding method.
- Communicate with your childcare centre
- Talk to your childcare educators about your feeding preferences so they can follow your routine and support your baby’s needs. At Little Scribblers, we are happy to accommodate any feeding plan that works best for your family
What if I am ready to wean my baby off breastfeeding?
If you’ve decided it’s the right time to gradually stop breastfeeding, here are some gentle ways to do it:
- Go slow to avoid discomfort
- Drop one feed at a time rather than stopping suddenly.
- Allow a few days to let your body adjust before reducing another feed.
- Replace breastfeeds with bottles, cups, or solids
- If your baby is under 12 months, they will still need expressed milk or formula in a bottle or cup.
- If they’re over 12 months, they can transition to whole milk and solid meals.
- Offer comfort in other ways
- Babies breastfeed for more than just nutrition—they also find comfort in the closeness.
- Provide extra cuddles, bedtime stories, and soothing routines to ease the transition.
- Expect some resistance
- Some babies take to weaning easily, while others need more time—and that’s okay!
- If your baby refuses a bottle, let someone else offer it in a calm, relaxed setting.
Supporting your feeding journey at Little Scribblers
At Little Scribblers, we are committed to supporting all families—whether they choose to continue breastfeeding, bottle-feed, or transition to solids. Our educators are trained to:
- Follow your baby’s feeding routine—whether it’s breastmilk, formula, or a mix of both.
- Respect your feeding preferences—allowing in-centre breastfeeding or expressed milk storage.
- Encourage a smooth feeding transition—helping babies adjust while ensuring they still feel safe and loved.
You don’t have to stop breastfeeding just because your baby is starting childcare, and if you are ready to wean, we’ll support you through that journey too.
👶 Looking for a childcare centre that supports your family’s feeding choices?
Enquire today to find out how Little Scribblers provides a nurturing, flexible approach to feeding and early learning.
