My question is how long will it take me to wean my 6.5 month old? Although I work full time, I have been exclusively breastfeeding my 6.5 month old. I pump when I'm at work, so she gets a couple bottles of expressed breastmilk at daycare. She has had formula on occasion, too, so taking the bottle or drinking formula shouldn't be a concern. I'm weaning because on Jan 9, I have an overseas trip for work for a week where pumping will be very difficult. Then when I return, my work schedule won't permit me to pump as frequently as I used to. As a result, I think it's time to wean and switch to formula.
For the other moms who have weaned around the 7 month mark: how long did it take? 1 week, 2, more? Any advice you can give about how I should go about doing it? Thanks.
honestly that is going to depend on your kid. why not pump in the am and pm so when you get back you can at least nurse your child then and during work hours he can have formula if you cant pump. there is no reason you cant do both
It depends on how many feedings you are curently nursing or pumping. I weaned my one year old. I cut out one feeding every four days to make it easier on my body . I had no engorgment or pain. You can do it more quickly then that but this is the easiest on your body. Also have some cabbage leaves around to place inside our bra to deal wiht pain and discomfort. I hope that hel[ps. Good luck! COngrats to you for nursing as long as you did. You must do what is right for you and your family.!!!!!
Since she takes formula already, it should be easy, but I would start now or you will spend your trip engorged and uncomfortable!
I took as much time to wean as possible, more for me than for my daughter. I didn't want any of the pain that can come from stopping too fast. I would start weaning now, by just dropping one feeding or pumping session at a time for a couple of days and then move on to one more. That's how I did it but I dropped one for a week and then added another. My daughter weaned from 4.5-6.5 months. I'm terrified of pain! haha
From what you are saying it shouldn't be difficult on your daughter at all, but I would still save the night time feeding to be the last one dropped. You still need your sleep!
I think it's easiest to start with the daytime nursing/pumping. Since you're pumping at work less frequently than you probably nurse when you're home with your daughter, your body might be used to producing less milk during the day and it will help with any discomfort. I'd drop the morning feed last because you're probably the most full first thing in the morning, so that will be the most uncomfortable to drop.
