Weaning 10 Month Old!

Don't worry about weaning him. If you're not around he will use the sippy cup if you are around and you are busy tell him he is going to have to wait a minute and if he is really thirsty he'll go for the cup.

I intentionally weaned my daughter because she was still eating much too close to a two hour schedule by the time she was about a year but with my other two kids, and my youngest nursed until he was 2, they pretty much tapered off without my having to be too gung ho on eliminating the feedings.

Your other option is eliminating another feeding instead of the one you are trying to get rid of. That time of day they are usually wired and ready to go but around the afternoon they don't have as much energy to fight you.

If you have tried several times, he just isn't ready yet and continuing to try to do it is really counterproductive. If you want more freedom, leave the baby with a friend, relative, whatever, because if you're not there, the issue isn't there and he will use the sippy cup and before long he will be too busy to worry about it and then the weaning will be easy.

Trying to wean can be frustrating but look at things from his point of view...He knows what he likes and doesn't see nursing as just a food source. Try nursing for a short time just to comfort then offer the cup. You didn't mention whether you feed solids first or after the nursing. Fill him with solids first and use the nursing as just a quick comfort. Babies see nursing as a way to fulfill more then just a stomach. Relax and work with him and not against him and I'm sure you'll figure it out. Eliminating feedings that can be food replaced are a good choice over nap/cuddle time feedings. Hope this helps!

He's telling you that he's not ready yet. He still needs the closeness. Can you hang in there a while longer? It's worth it and he will be better adjusted all of his life if he gets this need filled now. You can't go back and retrieve the closeness when he's older. Enjoy him while you can!

Hi W.,

Your baby is sensing your anxiety and it will affect his weaning.
Can't you just let your baby wean himself? They will, when they're ready.
And ten months is quite early for a baby who has been exclusively breastfed. It sounds to me like you are getting impatient. If you could relax your expectations a bit, and just let the little guy nurse, you'll see he'll quit when HE's ready. And THAT is what will be most beneficial to your baby.

"Grams"
from the Pocono Mts. of PA

I was unable to nurse w/either of my girls, but i know what it was like weaning my oldest from a bottle and my youngest from her nuk - it was a nightmare, but once u get thru those first three or four days it does get better. You just can't give in - I think we were all up the first few nights Haley didn't have her pacifier and forget it when Sami was weaned! It is brutal, but stay strong. It's kind of like the whole world revolves around that to them. Good luck!

I think the way to do this is for someone else to do it. If you are looking for freedom from baby, then this is the time to hire a sitter for an hour or two. Go out and leave his milk in the cup. It's not different than when moms try to introduce a bottle of pumped milk when the baby is a few months old. He's not likely to take it from you, he knows that what he really wants is right there

Sit him in his high chair before he is really hungry and offer some finger foods along with the sippy cup. Hopefully he will eat and drink and not want to nurse.