Weening

I breastfed my first son until he was 13 months old. I think it's invaluable with all the nutrients and "antibiotics". At the time he quit, I was 3 months pregnant with #2 so I was feeling like it was time to stop only cause I was so tired. He doesn't drink cow's milk. My husband is lactose intolerant so I avoid it. There are other ways to get calcium I am discovering. He just drinks water or juice.

Be careful of cows milk--the allergy reactions are high.

Good luck!

I breast fed my youngest boy until he was three years old. weenign him was the hardest thing I have ever done both for him and me. My mother didn't beleive in breast feending and she always told me that J. would be taking me to the prom and having me wait outside so he could come out for a sip. I think that weening at 9 months would probably be easier than at age 3. I dont think j. was getting much nutrition but we went through a really tough time, nasty divorce and an abusive father/husband so it was more of a comfort thing for both of us. since j. was able to communicate, we had a party to say goodbye to the tooties. we invited friends over and they brought small presents. when J. wanted tootie he had to give up a toy. after he ran out of toys he realized that having the toys was more fun than the tooties. that worked for me

I breast fed my daughter for a year. She switched to rice milk first. I started mixing breast milk with 1/4 rice milk, then 1/2 rice milk, then 3/4 rice milk, then only rice milk. With breast milk mixed in, they are more likely to take to the new taste. I also started stage one foods and rice cereal at the same time. If they don't take a nipple, they might like a spoon. At nine months, they should be ready to supplement stage 1 foods and rice cereal. Whole milk shouldn't be given till 12 months. The rice milk is easier on their digestive system than whole milk if they won't take formula. My son is 9 months old and I am strictly breastfeeding now. I am going to try and make it a year, but I may not make it. Good luck.

I breastfed my son until he was about a year and a half old. I actually had wanted to let him wean himself, but I realized that he wasn't sleeping very well since he was so worried about getting more milk all the time. He also would only fall asleep nursing until he was about 14 months old, so when we weaned him, I stopped letting him fall asleep nursing first. It was pretty rough, but after a couple weeks, he was quite happy to fall asleep in his crib without the breast. Then I cut out one feeding a day until there were none left. It was really hard while we were doing it, but it really didn't last very long and now he is doing very well!
I was glad that I waited to wean him until he really didn't need to be switched to a bottle (I could never get him to take one at all). My nephews were both bottle fed, and my brother and sister in law had a really hard time taking away the bottle at night from their oldest, and now he is having some dental problems from falling asleep with milk in his mouth. You might have an easier time waiting a little longer to wean her from the breast and just switch her to a cup, instead of having to wean her from the breast and then later from the bottle. I can relate to breastfeeding exclusively preventing you from being able to have a social life, but it really does get better. You're doing a great job having breastfed her for as long as you have!
E.

Hi M.,
If you don't mind me asking, why are you trying to wean her from breastfeeding? Seems like you're going to lots of expense and trouble when she's getting the best thing for her already! I'd say keep breastfeeding, and when she's 1 you can try whole cows milk too (tastes lots better than formula but until 1 year needs the iron in breastmilk or formula).
I know that you need to be able to get away and have her be fed by others though. So, you could try breastmilk (formula tastes awful--just try it!) in a sippy cup (she's probably just getting to the age that she can do this) to transition her, or Dr. Brown's bottles seem pretty good. Eventually if you aren't around she'll probably drink. My son breastfed and when I worked he got bottles of breastmilk and eventually when I ran out of frozen supplies, we mixed in a bit of formula. But we started the bottles when he was about a month old so it wasn't too hard. Good luck and hope that you can continue breastfeeding AND get her to use a cup/bottle too!

HI M.,
I would be able to give you a better answer if I knew the reason you are trying to wean her. I am a strong proponent of breastfeeding until the child says they don't want to anymore. (The World Health Organization recommends breast feeding until age 2 and beyond if needed). I breastfed my daughter until she was 26 months old when SHE weaned herself. So, I would encourage you to stop spending so much on try to stop breastfeeding, and be happy you have such a good nurser! You're daughter has such a good start in life by you providing the most natural "food" for her!

Hi M.,
I used to work in pediatric healthcare, and I found that many babies get their first ear infections when they stop breastfeeding. The mother's milk is so full of natural immunity for the baby, it really is the best thing for the first 2 years (ideal according to World Health Org). Also, anatomically speaking, it is better for baby.
Is it possible for you to let your daughter nurse awhile longer?

Another thing to consider is that breastfeeding is much more than just feeding. It is a bonding activity that promotes love and closeness and security to the baby. All is right with the world when baby is nursing! So I would discourage any drastic actions - you have built a bond of trust and it is important to honor that. I nursed 4 babies and they all were (and are) very independent and confident. I credit much of that to their secure bond while nursing.

It is easier to wean to a sippy cup than a bottle. I did that with my 4 - all of whom nursed between a bit more than 2 years, to 4 years for the longest one. I never planned to nurse that long, I just took it a day at a time and quit when it seemed right. My 4 have always been very healthy -
They have never been to a doctor for illness (only for well-child visits!) and have had only mild colds occassionally.

A little perspective:

The average age of weaning world-wide is 4.2 years.

The physical development pattern of human babies leads researchers to believe that the biologically correct age to wean is 7 years (when they lose the milk teeth). I'm not suggesting 7 years!...

If you feel resentment towards your daughter when nursing (and this is actually pretty common when Mom's are ready to wean) then it is best to wean her. Because they feel the resentment and it is confusing to them.

Otherwise, I would say to let her be a baby a while longer... the years go by so fast, and those memories will be so sweet.

Since I was lucky enough to be a stay at home Mom, I let My children wean themselves, it happened so gradually I didnt even notice until my milk had all but dried up.
Have you considered going to a La Leche League meeting or just calling one of their leaders? they're a great resource for breastfeeding Moms!

Actually, it sounds like she's just not "ready." I would suggest just getting a pump and pumping your breast milk and putting it in a bottle for during the day and then breastfeeding at night. Eventually, she'll get used to the bottle and you can just switch to the bottle at night, too. Breastfeeding is good for the first year, so you really don't need to worry for the next 3 months. I breastfed all of my children and weened them at different times. My oldest decided he didn't want to breastfeed anymore at about 4 months because he was lazy (the nipple on the bottle allowed more milk through and he didn't have to suck so hard) when I went back to work. My daughter breastfed for 12 months when I had to ween her off because I was pregnant with my next son and I just didn't have the energy anymore. That son wasn't weened until he was 15-months old...he was a tough case. My youngest was weened at 6-months because I became very ill and lost too much weight. They all turned out very healthy, so it really just depends on your reasons for weening and the timing for the child. This may just not be the right time. Give it a few months and try putting your breastmilk in a bottle to see if that helps any.

I hope it is all going well. I slowly introduced cow's milk into their diet between 11-12 months and only nursed at night before they went to bed. I did not have an issue with them fussing. I just did it and that was it. If they were having a hard time falling asleep after turning one years old, I would warm up some cow's milk and they were good to go (this hardly happened). Never mind! Ha! I just read the date on this request - well, if anyone needs the advice I guess I won't erase this.

Hi M.,

I'm a fellow Canadian as well (from the Toronto area) and have lived in various cities in the US for about 8 years now. I hope you're enjoying Denver, I hear it's a beautiful city.

I nursed both of my children for over a year each but weened them gradually as they began eating more solid foods. It's been a while (my youngest is 2) but I was probably nursing 3-4 times a day when they were around your daughter's age. My youngest was so easy going that she couldn't care less how she was fed as long as she WAS fed (and promptly) so she wasn't a problem, but my son was a different story. He HATED every bottle, pacifier, anything in his mouth and it didn't matter if it was me or anyone else giving him a bottle, he wouldn't take it. When he was a newborn he would take a bottle, but I made the mistake of not being consistent with offering it so I paid for it later. I ended up giving him a sippy cup with a very soft spout and put some breastmilk in it. He was more receptive to it because it was different and he eventually got the hang of it. He was about 4-5 months old when I first offered it and he never used a bottle at all.

With regard to formulas, he hated all of them and was very intent on breastmilk so I just stuck it out since he was only nursing a few times a day and would start cow's milk at one year of age. It does seem like a waste to buy different formulas (I've been there) but you could dilute it with breastmilk to get your daughter used to it and then gradually increase the amount of formula.

I wish I could offer more help! Good luck

S.

I had the same problem with my first child. I got a bottle from " One Step Ahead" a Childrens magazine the bottle was called " Breastbottle Nurser" at 14.95 it was expensive but if you bought 3 at 12.95 you save 6.00 . Anyway it looks like the breast, breast like shape and feel. It holds 7 oz. You can find it at onestepahead.com. It really worked for me and my daughter had no problems with it. I like you spent lots of money trying to find a bottle she would take and it was definetly worth the money. I would switch this bottle with one feeding a day and increased with more feedings over a few weeks. I also pumped and mixed half breast milk and half formula and she never noticed. If you are looking to just go to a sippy cup the Nuby I found worked best and is very inexpensive. hope this helps let me know.

What worked for us was to mix breast milk with a little formula (provided she'll take a bottle from you)like a 75/25% mix for several days, then a bit more formula as you go lessening the amount of breast milk untill it's all formula.
My daughter was picky about the bottle/nipple too, it took a few trys but she setteled on one finally.
Another thing you may have read is if you can have somebody else give her the bottle (a friend, family, neighbor) since she'll be wanting the good stuff from mommy!
Good luck! And kudos to you for lasting 9 months breast feeding, good for you guys!
M. in Nevada

I went straight from the breast to the bottle. No prob. I also went from formula to regular milk without issues. I think we make a big deal out of switching things when we don't need to. Just go straight to the bottle with formula and don't turn back.

when my youngest son was 13 months I weened him off breastfeeding by taking away 1 breastfeeding session at a time, during that 1 feeding I would give him the playtex nurser bottle. He did rather well, every week I did it 1 feeding at a time. It only took a few weeks and he adjusted good to taking the bottle. He is now 18 months and takes a bottle are few times a day and drinks from a sippy cup.

Bless you. My oldest had a similar problem, only with bottles. She just didn't want to move to regular food. My doctor said to try a passifier. It turned out that she just needed that sucking longer than most. So a couple more months and she did it herself.

On a side note. I have fantastic friends in Denver. I should hook you guys up. They can help you work on your social life. Let me know if you would like them to email you or call. L.

M.,
I am curious as to why you want to wean her. It sounds like she isn't ready and still wants to nurse. If you are staying home with her, is there a real need to wean? It would be best for her to continue breastfeeding until she is at least a year old. Many people, myself included, continue on well past a year. If you must wean her, it is probably best to go to a cup instead of a bottle, otherwise you will be weaning her off that in a few months as well. Avent has a soft spout cup with handles on the side that tends to be a favorite first cup, but any sippy cup will do. I would start getting her used to it with water, so you aren't wasting a lot of breastmilk. Once she takes the cup well, then put your breastmilk in it. Cut down on the nursing sessions by removing one session out of the day each week, until she is done. You can also cut the nursing time shorter and shorter, then offer her a cup with expressed milk to finish up. Keep giving her baby food and table foods.
S.

M.:

First of all, bless your heart for breastfeeding for 9 months! I think that is fantastic. I breastfed both of my children, but didn't nurse as long as I might have with a different working situation. I hope you have pumped your milk with a breast pump (you can even freeze your milk and it will last up to 6 months). So, you can "dry up." Anyhow, if you haven't, that is where I would start. Use that milk to transition into a bottle. You can even buy the disposable sacks/liners to pump the milk into that fit in the Playtex bottles. Have someone other than yourself-Dad, preferrably...OR another relative or dear friend-feed her the bottle. If you have a supply of pumped milk, try mixing it half breast milk/half formula & water. Then, eventually go all the way to formula. Giving her something other than breastmilk will taste unusual to her, but it should work if you do it gradually and not so abruptly. With my children, the soy formulas worked much better. So many of them have too much iron and babies get constipated and their tummys can hurt (because they are not used to it). As far as nipples/bottles, I found the Playtex ones with the disposable bags and the silicone nipples (same brand) shaped a bit like the breast, worked best. She should be eating cereal and baby food now so not needing as much milk as she once was. It was nice to take time out to think about my 2 & 3 year old being babies again...Oh, how I treasured those breastfeeding days. I hope some of this helps.

Take Care,
K.

Hi M.,

I usually let baby lead weening, and would suggest a mothers group that supports breastfeeding until your daughter is ready to ween herself off. The mother's group would provide that socialization and help you witht he waiting process. They might also have some handy tips. Trust her, she will let you know.

Good luck!

Hi M.,

This is going to sound weird but it worked for me on my second child. I went and bought a playtex fast drip nipple that is similar to someone who may have bigger breasts. i put the nipple over my own nipple and helped to express milk. My daughter was confused and fussed some on me but eventually she realized there is still milk coming out and would suck a little harder. From there I would wait until she was drifting off to sleep then have a back up bottle ready with the same nipple and put that in her mouth. After a couple long days of trying this she took the bottle.

It is tough. I have been there myself. My daughter refused to take a bottle so I started trying to introduce the sippy cup around 4-5 months. She didn't get it until around 8.5-9 months old. When I weened her it was to formula starting around 9.5-10 months old. The trick with her was that it had to be a different experience. Instead of sitting in the living room on the couch with everyday noise and distractions, we went up to her room and sat in the glider in quiet. I got rid of the mid-day nursings first, then the morning and lastly the night. It actually went very smoothly and she weened a lot quicker than I had expected.

Every child is different, but hopefully this will help or at least give you hope.

D.

M.,
When I started weaning my daughter at 11 months, I used bottles, but I suggest going to a sippy cup (I wish I would've started with a sippy cup because then I had to just take away the bottles but luckily, she didn't fight that!).As for what type of formula to use, speak with your pediatrician.

As I weaned my daughter over the course of a couple of months, I found it best to stay away from our normal nursing places and position. Because she was older, she was easily distracted. If possible, also try having someone else give her a cup when you are out (or out of sight). If I was around, my daughter would just cry and refuse the bottle.

With my son, I found that it took a good long week to get him to accept a sippy cup. It was a very trying and at times I just thought about giving up, but he eventually gave in and started using the cup.

Hope this helps.
K.

Hi M.~

~Congrats on nursing so long. I am currently nursing my 9 month old daughter to. My two sons nursed until they were about 16 months (by that time just before bed). It is a process to wean babies and my daughter nurses about 4-5 times a day plus eats solids 2-3 times a day. I bought a sippy cup called "nuby" from target ( im sure you could get one anywhere) it was only $1.79. It doesn't have a valve but it doesn't really leak either. It has a soft silicone top and if the baby just bites on it liquid comes out. The only thing is that it doesn't have handles so you might have to hold it at first.
There are a lot of great breastfeeding books that I know talk about weaning. That may be something to look into maybe at the library and see what would work best for you.

"The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding" La Leche League
"The Breastfeeding Answer Book" Jack Newman

You could also talk with your pediatrictian about suggestions they may have for you. I commend you for the trust you have in your body to nurse your baby as long as you have. Keep that trust in knowing that you will make the decision that you feel is best for you and your baby. Way to go!!!

M.
Certified Labor Doula

Are you pumping? If you are, you could try mixing breast milk with formula & giving it to her in a bottle. Also, you might need to try different types of bottles and nipples. I had to try 3 different kinds to find one my daughter would take.
GOOD LUCK :)

When I was weening my first one I started to cut out nursing meals slowly. I usually just tried to distract him or gave him something else to eat or drink (my son never did take forumula even though I tried really hard). I found that the nursing was usually more of a comfort thing for him rather than true nourishment at that stage. So sometime just getting down to his level and playing did the trick. I cut out the middle of the day feedings first then the morning one and lastly the one right before bed, it was a long process (About a month) but pretty soon he didnt even need to nurse before bed and was happy with his pacifier and some water.

Good Luck!

The best and easiest thing is to nurse her for just a few more months, but if that is not possible you might want to try this breast bottle at onestepahead.com.

Have you tried solids yet? Try rice first, mix it with breat milk, then maybe bananas, you can also put cereal in a the bananas, apple sause or even yogurt let eat cherio and other finger foods, don't give up after only one try. As far a liquids go, maybe try little apple juice (you can water down regular juice because Gerbers cost more )in a bottle or cup. Just try to intraduce somthing new every few day and see if she is interested and again keep trying. For now, keep breastfeeding while you doing this and maybe at a year old (when the doctor say you can)try regular milk in a cup or bottle and add a just a spoon of chocoltate milk mix.

hi I am 22 and I am a new mom, I will soon start working at a daycare, and same here I don't really have a social life I live in Bullheadcity Az, and I have a step son,I was told that it is ok to breast feed your baby for the first 18 months, enjoy it now that you can, me I dried up before I got to have my baby with me he is at the hospital now he has been there for 2 months now and I wish I was able to breast feed him. look at my page on www.myspace.com/gema9809

Hi M.,

I was able to wean my 2nd son when he was 11 months and at that age he went straight to a cup. Is there a particular reason you want to wean him now? If you need to, I would recommend those Playtex natural shape bottles, they seemed to be more breast like and my daughter liked them the best.

J.

Hi M.-

Congratulations on breastfeeding for nine months!

Some others have already said this, but waiting until a year to wean (or even after) is a really healthy option for moms and babies. If you're unable to do that for whatever reason, however, I would definitely teach your baby to use a cup instead of a bottle.

My baby also is 9 months and we've introduced a cup (with plain water) when he eats solids to teach him that skill. It might take a while for your baby to learn how to use the cup, but gradual weaning is usually the best option for moms and babies. Try introducing the cup when your baby isn't extremely hungry and desperate to nurse. Also, you could try letting your baby play with cups (they make great toys anyway) to develop positive associations with them.

Also, if you're using a sippy cup, some babies won't instinctively know that they need to suck pretty hard to get water out of the spout (most are ultra spill-proof). We actually had to take the plastic valve out of the sippy cup so the water would flow freely while he was first learning how to drink from it.

Best of luck!
-Angie

Hello M.,
I nursed my youngest daughter for a year and but after 9 months when I wanted to get back to work I started to pump. I found since she didnt like the shape of regular bottle nipples that Munchkin nipples were very large dombed and she had to suck more like nursing to get the milk out and it fit up to her face like my breast. I put my own milk in the bottle. She hated the taste of formula. Then when I got her used to the bottle I started to mix a little formula into the breast milk after a few weeks she would take either formula or my breast. Also around 9 months they are eating a little food and it may be easier to mix formula into cereal with a bit of applesauce. Hope this helps!!
E. :)

Try dropping one breastfeeding session a week, starting with the one she's least fond of, like the mid-day feedings. Substitute a sippy cup with pumped breastmilk or formula. The Nuby ones are an easy transition cup. You can try giving her these sippy cups throughout the day just to get her used to it. Good luck!

Hi! I breast fed both of my babies and I work with a lot of mothers so here's what has worked for me...try feeding your baby breast milk in a bottle (I like the platex w/liners) once your baby eats by bottle (usually better if you are not the one trying to feed with the bottle) then start mixing 1/2 formula and 1/2 breast milk in the bottle ---pretty soon you'll be feeding less and less from the breast (I breast fed only at night because I liked the bonding)It worked for me maybe I'll work for you, too good luck!

Hi M.,
The best way to go is still breastfeed in the morning, than start solid foods and fruits during the day and breastfeed the last meal at night. A nine month old can eat a lot of solids already.
G.,
doula

I breastfed my son for a year. It was pretty simple to ween him, as he didn't like the bottles or formula. I just bought a few different sippy cups, most with handles. As he grew and could hold onto things, I helped teach him how to hold a sippy cup. I went right from breastfeeding to whole milk in the sippy cups. He learned pretty quickly. He refused to take any bottle and so, when he drank less breastmilk, I would offer him whole milk from a sippy cup. By then, he was already eating canned baby foods and cereal, so it was easy to ween him. Although, you have to make sure that at night your baby gets plenty to eat so she doesn't wake up in the middle of the night hungry.
My son is now 5 and my daughter is 11. I don't get much of a social life either, but as time goes by, you learn to just watch your kids grow and that is my life. I love it! They grow so fast, that I don't want to waste a minute and miss something they have learned.

HI M.,
MY NAME IS T., I'M 27 YEARS OLD WITH TWO KIDS AGES 9 & 6. I BREASTFEED BOTH KID, ONE FOR 12 MONTHS AND THE OTHER FOR 15 MONTHS(THIS ONE NOT BY CHOISE, HE WOULDN'T GIVE IT UP). THE WAY I DID IT WAS I ALWAYS HAD HEALTHY SNACKS READY TO GO, SO IF THEY GOT HUNGRY I WAS READY.I FEED THEM THREE HEATHY MEALS A DAY.I REALLY JUST TRYED TO GIVE THEM WHAT MY MILK WAS GIVING THEM SO THEY WOULD FEEL FULL, AND NOT HAVE TO NEED TO BREASTFEED. MOST PEOPLE THINK THAT BABIES ARE SO SMALL THAT THEY DON'T NEED A LOT OF FOOD, THAT'S SO NOT TRUE. THEY NEED ABOUT FIVE SMALL SNACKS, AND THREE MEALS A DAY TO STAY HEALTHY. WELL GOOD LUCK, I HOPE I'VE HELPED SOME.

Hi M.! Weaning! I am working on that same issue at the moment. I personally have chosen not to introduce a bottle but used a sippy cup. But, that is trivial at this point. My approach to weaning is to gradually cut out nursing times and replace them with a increase in solid food, distraction via whatever works (books, walks outside, toys, games, etc.) and Dad's help at nap and bedtimes. My daughter will not settle for me yet unless I am nursing her but she will for my husband. I realize this is just one story but if you have internet access Google "La Leche League" within this website you will find a lot of info on a variety of breastfeeding issues including weaning. The web site is a little awkward to get through but I guarantee that it is there. I have read info on it myself. In addition there is the resource of La Leche League lactation consultants in your area who you can call at any time for advice. Phone numbers are also available on that website. You will end up on a web page with countries of course, jump into United states and then you will find breakdowns by state etc.

I hope something here helps.

Good luck ! J.

Hi M....

What is it that is compelling you to ween your little one? Is it painful? Does it take up too much time? Are you feeling resentful while she is nursing?

I felt all of these feelings and more when I nursed my first baby. We eneded up mutually weening (I feel I weened just as much as she did) when she was about 20 months, and I was about 4 months pregnant. Looking back, I wish I had done things differently. I wish I had realized how special that bond was, and how much I would miss it once it was gone.

With my second baby, we also mutually weened, but this time it was more child-led than mama-led. He was three years and one month old, and it felt right. I think I was actually more sad about it than he was.

If you find, as you search your heart, that you are willing to continue nursing her, it might help to look at weening less as nutrion (although at 9 months that is still very much involved), and more as bonding time. You could also look at it as time for mama to sit and rest, enjoy a glass of water or cup of tea, even read a magazine or gaze out the window, breathe deeply, and refresh youself. Watch your little nursling as she suckles....listen to the little slurpy, gurgly noises she makes, watch her tiny toes as they wiggle, gaze into her eyes when she looks at you and return her smile when she lets go for just a moment to show you her gorgeous smile. Sometimes it seems like things take *forever* with your first baby, but believe me, the time really does go by so fast. Babies at her age can't get enough love and bonding and connection. That time together fills her up so that her heart is overflowing with mama-love.

If you find that you are resentful and your feelings about nursing are negative and you are unable to move past that, then I suggest slowly weaning...starting with removing one nursing time per day, and use a cup, rather than a bottle. Dd used a regular cup (she didn't even use the sippy top, she much preferred the cup without). Make sure you still have lots of snuggle time, and if she really needs some "boob-time" but you don't want her to nurse, she might find it comforting to hold your boob to get that skin-to-skin contact that is so important and feels so good to her.

Hope this helps!

What workrd for me twice was I started mixing half breast milk and formula for a few times then making more formuls then breast milk. Start with the afternoon feeding only, for a few days If you want to save ask your dr. when you can start whole milk. At about 10 months both my kids lost intrest in the breast and only wanted a bottle. Good luck.
G.

Hi, First every child is different when it comes to weening. Congrats on BF this long'

I breastfeeded until my son was 16 months. I tired from 9 months different tactics that I heard or read. Nothing seemed to work and I eventually just give in (after 2 hours of cryin, yes my son stubborn) At 16 months I was done. But he still wanted to continue,he'd wouldn't take anything else just throw cup and cry/sob. Even through he was eating and drinking from sippy

So, finally one weekend I knew would be a quiet one, with my husbands help and patience I just with held it and said no boby. I offered sippy,toys, etc but he' throw it. I'd or my husband would rub his back or sing/talk and he'd eventually fall asleep. Waking up every 2 hours and repeat. After the first 2 days of this, he try but would take sippy and by 4th day he didn't even ask or try to get breastfeed.

Good luck it can be very trying but it'll get easier. Hang inn there

A little about me:
Stay home mom of a 2 year old son. Married for 6 years, but dated for 10 years before the 6 years.

M.
I THINK THAT THE MOST IMOPRTANT THING IS TO TRY AND NOT GET FRUSTERATED!!! GET A BOTTLE THAT HAS A BUBBLE LIKE TOP (THIS WILL HELP FOR YOUR BABY TO FEEL SOMETHING ON THEIR NOSE AND CHIN LIKE YOUR BREAST) IT WILL TAKE TIME AND PATIETS. AS FAR AS A FORMULA MIX IT WITH YOUR MILK AND THAT WILL STILL GIVE SOME COMFORT TO YOUR BABY. I HOPE THIS WILL HELP YOU!!
I AM A STAY AT HOME MOM OF A 3YR OLD AND A 17 MONTH OLD SO I UNDERSTAND YOUR FRUSTERATION. IT WILL TAKE TIME
A. B

My son nursed for 10 months he refused to take a bottle. I finally had someone else start feeding him baby cereal and started feeding him juices and other baby food really watered done with formula. He became less interested in nursing. I started lessening his time of nursing. I could not feed him as he would smell my breast milk and then want it. He would eat for my husband and his big sister and the babysitter. Good luck.

At almost 9 mos you might skip the nipples and go with breast milk in the cups with the soft lip (almost like a 'tippy cup') but the lip is soft, similar to a nipple. Formulas do not even closely resemble breast milk in taste and the nipples do not resemble you, so you may have to skip formula until you can get her use to the lip of the cup or skip the lip and go straight to the cup. My daughter used vanilla flavored soy milk which seemed to entice her daughter to at least drink the milk. At least it tastes better than most formulas. It is time consuming and frustrating. Unfortunately trial and error, until you find the combination that works. Good luck....

My sister and are are both breastfeeding moms we noticed they don't like the taste of the formula when they are used to breastmilk....someone recommended to pump and then mix the formula in with the milk. Just a little at first and then more and more. till it is mostly formula. It also helps at first when getting your baby to take a bottle to have someone other than mom adminisiter the bottles. Start with one bottle a day and then increase till she is bottle feeding exclusively.

Hello,

Weening can be frustrating, but don't give up, you'll get there. Most babies can be introduced to a cup starting at
6 months. Of course, a breast fed infant will always prefer
the breast, so this is a learning process for the child. At 9 months, it makes sense to ween directly to a sippy cup. There is no research that one cup is superior to another and the child needs lots of practice to coordinate swallowing muscles,
but the child can do it! If you can pump some milk, place some
in the cup. Only use about 2 ounces at first, so you are not
wasting too much. Select a cup that is easy for the child to
hold,maybe one with handles on both sides in the beginning. Also the cup should not be too heavy, this will allow for
easier motor control of the cup. In the beginning, you can
assist the child in lifting and holding the cup, even make it
a game if you like. The goal is for the child to get a few
sips at first, with more practice the child will drink more.
Be prepared for spitting, dribbling and occasional choking.
However, if you work with the child slowly and offer lots of
practice, he/she will be successful. You can also use diluted
juice or water in the cup. Be sure to select a juice that
has no added sugar, corn syrup or artificial sweeteners. Hang in there and don't give up! Once the child is weened, you will
still want to wait until 12 months of age before you place the
child on cow's milk, so formula is still needed. Good Luck!