where to start with weaning

[NameOfTheNick]

My ds is 18weeks. I have been looking for info about weaning ready for when he is 6 months so I have an idea how to approach it.
But where do you even start weaning a breastfed baby?

He is going to have to be moved on to formula so I can start taking some medcation again.
But where do I begin? How do I wean him off the breast onto formula? , do i give formula in a bottle or sippy cup?
Do you still feed milk on demand when weaning?

As you can probably guess, I'm starting to panicked that I haven't got a clue where to start!

baby-led weaning seems to be the way to go - I was looking at the NHs birth-to-5-years book and they indicate that it's the best plan.

You don't need to do much to prepare - they do it themselves!
once he can sit up by himself (about 5-6 months) then you can put him in a highchair at the table with you while you eat.
maybe give him a couple of toys to play with in his highchair.

then when he gets to 6 months, you can start to give him bits of food (usually veg chunks - start with big chunky pieces - like the size of your adult finger) on the tray and let him help himself to them.

in the next few weeks, you'll notice that he puts everything in his mouth - that's him preparing to eat food

If you're going to put him on formula at 6 months, then you can start by giving him expressed milk sometimes in a beaker (one of those with the spouts) so he gets used to drinking out of a vessel that isn't you.
It depends how long you are leaving it till you change - you need him to get used to it, but you don't want to compromise your supply in the meantime.
maybe wait until closer to the time.

and yes, you still feed on demand when weaning - until they're 1 year old, their main nutrition intake is from breast milk or formula.

Thanks nickel. That has answered a few of my panicky questions!

So would you start giving him ebm in a spouted cup now at 4 months say once a day and gradually buIld up?

i don't know about that part - might be worth asking on the breast-and-bottle-feeding board for advice on that :)