Breastfeeding is a wonderful time to connect and bond with your baby while loading your little one up with vital nutrients and laying the foundation for optimal health. All things come to an end at some time. If the time has come for you to reclaim your breasts, then you many want to take a look at a few simple recipes that can take the torture out of weaning—and make it a smoother transition for both you and your little one. I found that my toddler was so intent on breastfeeding that I had to come up with a substitution for my milk—fast! I never gave him cow’s milk after I weaned him. My son still drinks some of these yummy milk alternatives. Not only are they super tasty, they’re fortifying as well.

• Brazil Nut milk has a similar constitution to breast milk and is a great “first milk”.

• Coconut milk is heavenly, the water is almost identical to our own blood plasma. The jellylike coconut flesh is fatty and has a naturally sweet taste. Get young green coconuts and make your own blended coconut water and flesh to make coconut milk.

• Cashew milk is one of the simplest milks to make. You don’t need to soak the nuts prior to blending to make this 2 minute morning rush nut milk. It’s a milk and creamy flavor that goes well with everything.

• Macadamia Nut milk like the cashew milk, macadamia nut milk is rich and creamy, and very flavorful. You don’t have to soak the nuts very long prior to blending.

• Hemp milk is full of Essential Fatty Acids. Nutty and rich, this milk helps tremendously with brain development.There are quite a few nut milks on the market. One of our favorite commercial brands is Living Harvest, which has hemp milk in three flavors. We really love  OMilk from Brooklyn, they have almond and cashew varieties and Not Milk line of nut milks which are a blend of Brazil nut, cashews, almonds, walnuts, and dates, if you’re an NYC local, they deliver to your doorstep. You can try what’s out there but there is nothing like making your own. See what your child prefers in terms of flavor. I weaned my son on the following recipe.

  Brazil Nut Milk

• 1 1⁄2 cups raw Brazil nuts
• 7 cups filtered water
• Pinch of sea salt
• 2 dates
• A pinch of cinnamon
• 1 to 2 tablespoons chia seeds (optional)

Soak Brazil nuts in a bowl with 4 cups of water for one hour. Rinse. Process nuts, 3 cups of water, sea salt, and dates in a high-speed blender; strain through a fine sieve if necessary to get a thinner solution.

Want to give it a boost? Throw 1 to 2 tablespoons of chia seeds into the milk once it has been strained for an extra protein and fiber boost for your baby. Store in a glass jar in the fridge and shake before serving. It will taste even better the next day after the flavors have settled in.