Weaning from nursing...

Magen - posted on 03/13/2009

Thanks for all of the advice everyone!

Allison - posted on 03/13/2009

Oh, sorry, forgot to comment on the teeth issue:

Teeth do not interfer with breastfeeding. If baby does bite, you can bring baby close to you quickly (resist the urge to pull away), as this will correct the latch. Baby CANNOT bite if he is latched on correctly (has enough of the areola in his mouth and his tongue is over his lower teeth).

I've certainly been bitten more than once, and after the initial shock it really isn't as bad as it sounds. I got very good at making sure to relatch my babies when I noticed they were getting lazy and not nursing correctly, or stopping the nursing session when I noticed they weren't really into it anymore. My daughter nursed until 3 and my son is 2 and still nursing. Really, the teeth don't get in the way :-)

Allison - posted on 03/13/2009

Based on what you've said, your baby is not ready for weaning - he's showing signs of distress by refusing a bottle as you push the issue. Try to relax a bit and take it more slowly.

Where are you located? Many areas have breastfeeding laws in place that protect you if you choose to nurse in public. There are also great nursing shirts that allow for easy access but keep you covered up very well, if this is part if your issue with being on the go and feeding. I've found that once I got more confident in my nursing, I could nurse anywhere and no one even noticed.

I really think abruptly stopping nursing is not very good for you (can cause mastitis and plugged ducts) or for baby. Nursing is more than just feeding a baby: it's comfort, closeness, bonding, and what baby has come to expect from mom. Try to do it slowly...have you seen the La Leche League book How Weaning Happens? I've not read it myself but have seen it recommended a lot. Also, check out Kellymom http://www.kellymom.com: there are great articles and information there.

Good luck!

Tamara - posted on 03/13/2009

I have nursed 3 kids, 8, 3 and 11 months for a full year each.  My first 2 were fine w/ a bottle (formula or breastmilk) when I had to be out for a few hours.  My 3rd, however, has been a different story.  He won't take a bottle or a pacifier....never has.  I've pumped w/ all 3 but struggled with the last because I didn't pump as much once I realized he wouldn't take a bottle.

I gave each kid a sippy cup around 5-6 months w/ water in it (but breastmilk for my baby since I was trying to find anything to allow me some time away from home).  They loved playing with the cups at first but soon realized the joy of drinking from them.  Transitioning my kids to all cups was so simple because they never really had bottles and they had experience w/ the cups before they were needed for nutritional purposes.  Even my "picky" son who wouldn't take a bottle loves the sippy cups, and now that he's almost 1, he's doing great with a cup!  In fact, he cries for one if he sees us with drinks. 

That said, my advice to you is to use sippy cups. You might have to experiment w/ several different kinds to find one that he really likes, but maybe he'll take to a cup better than a bottle.  It doesn't really matter how they get the breastmilk or formula, just that they get it! 

As for the discomfort you feel....Are you weaning gradually?  I'd stop the middle of the day feeding(s) first and then make the morning/nighttime feedings the last to go.  It will take your body time to adjust as you stop these feedings.  If you are really uncomfortable, try a warm shower or hot compresses and manual expression to at least relieve some of the fullness and allow you to be a bit more comfortable.  Just remember that if you use a pump to express milk, that is signaling your body to continue to produce, not to stop producing at that feeding time.

Angela - posted on 03/13/2009

Dressing rooms are good place to feed if you are out.  I got good at spotting good places.  Dressings rooms the babies r us nursing room, some resteraunts have chairs in the bathrooms (our local applebees does!)  As for your supply have you tried cold clothes and/or ice packs?  Cold shuts the down milk supply.. thats why formula company gives away ice packs I think.  good luck! 

Kathy - posted on 03/12/2009

Just remember that because you see teeth does not mean that your baby will bite you. If he does, do not react, but immediately stop nursing for a couple minutes; put him back on and stop again if he bites. A baby cannot bite and suck at the same time - he will get the message very fast. You can breastfeed anywhere, so don't let your active lifestyle stop you from giving your baby the BEST nutrition.

Gina - posted on 03/12/2009

In my experience the slower the better for your supply. Try to drop one feeding a week. That may also help with the transition for him. There is also a tea you can buy to help you stop making milk it is called no more milk tea you can find it online at www.earthmamaangelbaby.com That may help you stop faster.

Magen - posted on 03/12/2009

No I am not going back to work. My husband and I are on the go a lot with our son and have a hard time finding places to breast feed him. He also already has two teeth and is starting to make me a little nervous. So we decided it was time to wean him to a bottle. He is only breastfeeding 3-4 times a day now and taking bottles the rest of the time. I am just have a hard time cutting feedings out because my milk supply doesn't seem to be decreasing enough.

Dee - posted on 03/11/2009

and to further what shanna wrote, my daughter only breastfeeds in once in the morning when she wakes up, and once in the evening about an hour before she goes to bed.

Shanna - posted on 03/11/2009

Oh, and with your pump issue - you can try renting an electric pump if you haven't done so already. They work amazingly

Dee - posted on 03/11/2009

i'm finding that my 10 month old daughter is starting to lose interest in the breast. you may find that waiting it out is the best option for your little one. are you going back to work? because if you're still pumping, you could give your son that breastmilk so it doesn't go to waste. otherwise, i've heard that introducing more and more formula into his diet will keep him from wanting the breast because he won't be hungry! good luck.

Shanna - posted on 03/11/2009

I am no help because my daughter HATES formula, any kind. When I was pregnant I planned on weaning at 6 months but then I got there and I figured, why not 1 year - that way I can just switch her strait to cow's milk. Also, once your baby starts eatimg more solids he wont nurse as much anyway. I only breastfeed my daughter 6 times in a 24 hour perod and that includes 2 night time feeds