Help Weening

R.-

I am sorry that you have to deal with this all at the same time. Weaning can be an emotional time by itself--it was hard for me and mine was 18 months!

You've already had a major victory since you've found a bottle that he will take. Now it is time to wean him from the emotional aspects of weaning. Start by eliminating those sessions which are the least emotional (i.e. not nap- or bedtime). Try mixing breastmilk with mixed formula and gradually changing the ratio to give additional familiarity. Use a pacifier if he will take one. You might also consider introducing a sippy cup--the novelty of it might distract him. Mine started with one at 5 months and didn't take a bottle after a year...the nighttime pacifier battle is another thing!

I believe LLL recommends removing one session "time" per week, so it could be 6-8 weeks before he is fully weaned. I don't know if you have this much time. Be sure to watch yourself as well for signs of plugged ducts and/or mastitis.

Be as consistent as you can about the times he gets formula and the times he gets to nurse. There are going to be days when nothing will do but mom, but he'll catch on quick enough.

You should obviously check with your pediatrician first but Sudafed will dry you up fast. I know it is safe to take when you are pregnant but if nursing they do not recommend it because it will dry you up so quickly (this comes from my friend who is a lactation consultant). I had a terrible cold in March and couldn't sleep at night. I only took it for 3 nights and it affected my supply so badly that my daughter gave it up that quickly. She tried to nurse but would get frustrated and not give it enough time to let down. It was pretty easy for both of us.

I had a bad cold just about the time my girls turned a year old. We were down to 2 feedings a day and the doctor gave me a very strong version of Sudafed. I was amazed how quickly it dried everything up!

A girlfriend also told me that Imodium AD also works.

I went thru similar testing while I was nursing my first set of twin and chose to pump and dump but it really decreased my milk supply. My husband was so cautious that he'd buy new parts for my pump after every round of tests.

Best wishes!
A.

Just do it cold turkey. If possible, get some help with the younger kids, as he may be crying for a day or two. Just be consistent. I'd have him go to a sippy cup, if you can.

Just read about new Labor and Delivery wing at Beaumont Hospital - there must be a lactation consultant you could check with to get educated on this or surely they could refer you to someone. Good luck and God Bless.

R,

I am so sorry that you are going through all of this at the same time! Be assured that even if your son refuses the bottle - he will NOT starve! Slowly cut down on the breast feeding as much as you can prior to the testing. Your son won't realize that you not feeding him is for his own good... be patient with both of you in the process.

Remember that weening is more emotional and challenging for YOU than for him. Stay strong and keep on loving your kiddos.

blessings,
stacy

You have a few options to choose from. Yes, absolutely try dropping the feeding(s) that mean the least to your little one. This will ward off many struggles. Something really good to think about is having someone OTHER THEN YOU feed him the bottle. This way, he isn't as distracted by your smell and the knowledge that his real meal is just on the other side of your shirt.

You may also want to pump and store as much as possible and then mix the expressed milk with the formula for a bit so that he can get more used to the taste difference.

Another option, if you still wish to nurse in the long run, is to pump and dump for the time you need to and either find someone you trust that has milk to either give you to use or let your son feed from her (or both). It would be the same as a "wet nurse" and you would have to feel comfortable enough with the person donating her milk, no matter how you wish your child to receive the nutrition.

If you decide on the last option, it would give you the chance to get past your testing and then wean as you see fit.

I wish you the best of luck with EVERYTHING you are facing at this time!

Wow! To say that you have your hands full is an understatement!!! I nursed my son until he was 2 1/2. He would never take a bottle. The only way I could wean him was to go away for a weekend. When I came back, I told him they were broken! Now that probably won't work for an 8 month old but what my friends had told me was to disrupt his schedule. Take him out at his usual nursing times. Get him away from his usual environment. Change his bedtime routine so that he has other comforts other than nursing. Do you have help? Husband or family nearby? If so - transfer the feeding duties for a few days. And don't be anywhere near your son! If I was even in our house, my son would want me instead of other food. Best of luck to you!

Have someone else give him the bottle. Good friend, dad, grandma, anybody but you. He will smell your milk and want it. It will take about a week for him to get used to it. That is how long it took all mine.

Good Luck and I hope all the tests are negative!