Weaning - Mundelein,IL

We mixed breastmilk and formula and gradually increased the number of formula-only bottles. We used bottles from very early on anyhow so it wasn't a major adjustment.

Also, perhaps S. just wants to wean! That seems to be a problem for some of you, but I don't see why it should be.

Good luck to you!

Is there some reason why you are wanting to wean so youg? I mean, if things are going well, I don't know why you would want to wean already. Your son still needs milk and you are still successfully producing it, and honestly, I think it would be difficult to wean a child of this age as they still very much need and want to breastfeed. I mean, any bottle you use and that your child likes is fine and there is nothing wrong with mixing formula with breastmilk, but it just doesn't make much sense to me to stop if everything is going well. The comfort, nutritional benefit, and immune system boosting properties of breastmilk continue whether your child is a newborn or if they are 3, and it is still very possible and do-able to nurse a child and pump for them if you need to be away from them

I totally understand your request. I started breastfeeding my daughter with the thought of weaning at 6 months. By 4 months I couldn't wait for 6 months to come along! She turns 7 months this weekend and I have only made it to her dad giving her one bottle of formula each night. I have talked about adding more formula but then I start to feel bad, not just guilty about not giving her breastmilk but also a little sad for me. And I start to think about how easy it is to breastfeed her when she is hungry rather than having to go make a bottle and how much it calms her down when she is upset. Plus, pumping has gotten so much easier lately because she gets solid foods during the day now so she drinks less breastmilk. Basically daycare gives her all of her solids and she sometimes only takes one bottle of milk during the day, usually 2.

I would suggest you keep going if you can and see how you feel in a couple of months. If not, try giving your son one bottle of formula and see if he takes it. Chances are good that he will if he is used to getting bottles during the day anyway. I have heard that if he doesn't like the taste of the formula you can either mix it with breastmilk, or dilute it more. My daughter didn't flinch and took a full bottle of formula the first time we tried it. Once he is taking one and your body has adjusted, move on to 2 bottles, then to 3, etc.

Good Luck!

D.

S.-

I had luck with introducing formula at one of the bottle feed feedings. She took it no problem. Then just slowly replace a bm bottle feeding with formula. I have an 8 month old and am down to one nursing a day(first one in the morning- I have not gone to a bottle out of pure laziness on my part) Good luck and the slower you wean the less engorgement you will have.

email if you have any questions since i just went through this!

M.

Seriously ladies...the request is about how to wean NOT a free-for-all for you to judge this mother on her decision to stop breastfeeding and make her feel badly about her decision (which you probably know nothing about).

S. - I'm by no means an expert on the subject, but have heard from my pediatrician that it is okay to mix formula and breastmilk. Some mothers will start with mostly breastmilk and a little formula, then cut to half-and-half, then mostly formula with a little breastmilk. Some mothers will give BM and formula in separate bottles as not to lose or waste any of the breastmilk. From what I understand, both methods are fine.

You know your baby, your body, and your life the best - I'm sure you will make a decision that is the most appropriate for your situation. By the way - your baby will turn out just fine even if he does end up on formula, so don't let others guilt you about that.

I also wanted to breastfeed my baby for 6 months. I started weaning her when she was five months and completed the weaning right at six months. I did it very slowly. I am working full time, so I was pumping three times a day and breastfeeding at home. I started by cutting out one pumping session at a time for a week, then cut out another for a week, and so on until I was left with just the feedings in the morning and at night. The last feeding I cut out was her evening feeding. Doing it slowly like this made it easier on me and the transition was easy for my daughter. Do what feels right for you and your baby and it will work out just fine. Congrats on making it this long with breasfeeding!

Hi S.,
Have you started supplementing formula? You can gradually start adding bottles of formula until he is weaned. Switching to formula is hard for some breastfed babies, since it a) doesn't taste as good, and b) is a constant taste, where breastmilk varied by what you eat. If there is any way for you to keep nursing, or pump, that is better by far than going to formula. Is there a particular reason you want to wean? I wanted to quit nursing several times in the time I was breastfeeding (just over a year), but we kept going. It can get difficult, and exhausting, but you also have the peace of mind in knowing that you are giving your baby the best food there is! I had a lot of support, and you will find a lot of support here also!