Trying to Wean My Daughter

I'm sorry that you have to make this choice, but it is good that you are figuring out how to take care of yourself. Congrats on bf-ing for 10 months! Does your daughter take bottles? I hope so, because that will make it a lot easier. Also, do you pump or have any breast milk saved up? If it is at all possible, I would suggest that you switch to pumping as much as possible. If you can start introducing formula gently, it may not take too long for her to make the adjustment. You can try giving her bottles with 1/4 formula and 3/4 breast milk, and hopefully she will be fine with that. Do that for a few feedings (or days, if you can), and then you can try increasing the formula to 1/2 each. You can gauge how quickly you can make the transition based on her reaction, but be careful about moving too quickly, because you really don't want to put her off the bottle altogether.

If you think that you might want to resume nursing at some point, you can continue pumping and tossing the milk that you produced while taking the medication. If this medication is something your doctor advises you to take long term, then you should do so, knowing that you gave your daughter the very best start to her life, and that you're making sure that she has a healthy & happy mommy, too.

Good luck, and if you feel I can be of any more help or offer you more specifics, please let me know.

Hi A.,

I am not sure what to tell you for weaning. My son weaned himself pretty much, and my daughter stopped at fourteen months under protest.

I just wanted to offer my support to you and encourage you during what sounds like a tough, emotional time in your life. I hope that you have had some success in starting to wean, and I hope also that the process will be a smooth one.

Cuddling is a good option. Holding her close and maybe putting a new special stuffed toy against your breast where she would suck and cuddle them both.

It is great that you have breast fed for this long. Feel proud in that and cherish the special time it was for you and your daughter.

C.

I can imagine how you must feel. Since you must wean due to medical reasons... that is confusing indeed.

Mainly, substituting is used. A bottle, or Formula. At a pace that the Mother feels comfortable. Sometimes, a baby will take to formula no problem. For some, it is a transition...

Keep in mind that since your girl is 10 months old... for the first year of life, breast/formula is the primary source of nutrition for a baby.

Ask your Pediatrician for alternatives and ideas. I'm sure this is not new to them. They must have some ideas... or perhaps, ask a Lactation Consultant as well. I would keep in mind that engorgement may occur... so ask about that too.

If you can resume breastfeeding after your medication... ask that as well. And how would you go about resuming breastfeeding???

Or perhaps, ask your Doctor IF there is an alternative type of treatment/medication you can take for your condition, that will still allow you to breastfeed??? Maybe???

All the best and I hope you recover well,
Susan

Congratulations on hanging in there with the breastfeeding for this long! If you want your baby to continue to benefit from breast milk a little longer and make the transition easier for her, pump a bottle or two of your milk daily, which you can freeze. If you can do this for a couple or more weeks, you will have a supply of your milk to mix with formula. Your baby will adjust to the taste of the formula more easily if it is blended with your milk. Gradually add more and more formula to the bottle,as she becomes accustomed. Of course, this will work only if you can delay taking medication until you stop nursing her. If you become engorged after you start your medication, just pump out a small amount of milk as needed and discard it. Hope you are feeling better soon!