Need to wean my 8 month old baby girl

Allison - posted on 03/25/2009

Many medications are safe while breast-feeding, even anesthesia, and don't require you to wean. is Dr Hale's website and has good information on medications. He also has a book called Medication and Mother's Milk. He is *the* authority on this stuff.

Kellymom also has a bunch of articles on surgery and breastfeeding .

Good luck!

Tamara - posted on 03/25/2009

I agree w/the pps. Is there any reason that you can't pump to build a stash beforehand and than pump while you're at the hospital to maintain your supply?

Melissa - posted on 03/25/2009

Some formulas are nastier than others. Nestle Goodstart is the least nasty that I've found.

Have someone else offer her the bottle when you aren't home. She's confused why you're offering her a bottle when your perfectly good breast is right there. It might take a little while, but she won't go entirely without. She can get formula from a spoon, mixed with some cereal. Have you tried a sippy or straw cup instead of a bottle? Some kids never take a bottle, and go straight from breast to cup. Also, you (or whoever is caring for her) can use a straw to drop the formula into her mouth.

Nicola - posted on 03/25/2009

Hi, i had surgery when my little girls was 8 months old, and the hospital were really helpful. I pumped and dumped after surgery so the drugs were not in the milk, and my husband bought her in before bedtime for feeds. At home he just fed her juice or water from a sippi cup along with meals, and when i came out we went straight back to breastfeeding twice a day as we had before, i only stopped breast feeding at 15 months, so it did not affect her routine too much!! I agree with the other posts to try and express and store, but i didn't as my milk supply was dwindling before surgery. Also if you tell the hospital you are breastfeeding they can make sure that the medication they give you won't harm baby if it gets in your milk!

Hope it all goes ok,

Stasha - posted on 03/25/2009

If you can pump enough to get her through your hospital stay that would be the best alternative! If you really want her switched to formula however, I'd recommend starting out by putting breast milk in the bottle so she is only getting used to one change at a time. If you mix 1/2 formula 1/2 breastmilk it may help her to get used to the difference in taste.

Emily - posted on 03/25/2009

Couldn't you pump enough for 3-4 days?  That would be much better for her than switching to formula and then you could just go back to nursing when you're out.  You should also make it clear to your surgeon that maintaining your breastfeeding relationship is vitally important and that as soon as you're able you'd like your baby to be able to be brought in for some feeds - Dr. Newman has some information about handling hospitalization www.drjacknewman.com and also www.kellymom.com

Amanda - posted on 03/25/2009

There is a good alternative to formual, Breastmilk! Why not pump so you have a supply for the 3-4 days? Also pump and dump while in the hospital so your supply does not go down. The hospital will even supply you a pump to use while there.