What is the easiest way to transition afully breastfed baby to a bottle (formula or pumped breastmilk) ?

Laura Zoey - posted on 12/21/2010

She can learn not to bite, just like she has to learn not to hit, or touch outlets etc.
Like Emily said, if she bites, say no bite and take her off immediately. Some say put her on the floor, some don't have to go that far.
Eric bit me a few times around that age, I said no bite, took him off. Then we resumed when he got upset. And I think he only bit me like 4 times past when I started saying no.
Also you can try to anticipate the bites, does she do it in the beginning, that could mean she is impatient about not having a let down fast enough. To help that issue, you can massage the breast before putting her on to speed up the milk.
If she bites when she tries to look away, try for a while to breastfeed in a quiet calm room.
If it's at the end, just start listening to when she stops swallowing and starts just playing around with the nipple, then end it before she gets bored and bites!

Emily - posted on 12/20/2010

When she bites, simply tell her "no bite," and end the nursing session. Don't get mad, just be matter-of-fact about it. This is just a phase and will not last forever.. definitely not a reason to wean.

Brittany - posted on 12/20/2010

Laura,
I have tried many different bottles on her and the thing is when i give them to her she bites the nipple and thats how she gets the milk out. So i tried a sippy cup, she liked that better but she bit that one too. So im not sure what else to do. Shes also teething so she is biting me in middle of her feedings. That is why i want her off of the breast by her 1st birthday. I try to tell her that biting is bad but she continues to do it and laughs when i get mad. Any suggestions?

Laura Zoey - posted on 12/17/2010

She should not use a bottle beyond her first birthday because of how fake nipples can hurt her jaw development, and mess up her teeth, and cause decay.
So if she is already using a sippy cup, just put your milk in her cup.
If she isn't using a cup yet, try a few kinds, likely she will prefer one with a softer spout, or maybe the straw cup, my sons favorite!
As for making her wean from the breast at a year, it could take as short or as long as you allow it.
If you do it fast you will likely see some bad side effects like her becoming very whiny, clingy, angry, lots of tantrums, or emotionally withdrawn.
If you keep in mind that she isn't biologically old enough to wean yet, you will be more sensitive to why it is very hard for her to be forced to grow up before she feels ready.
But if you let it go slowly, take her emotions into consideration, and don't push her beyond what she can handle, it will be much safer for her mentally, and much easier for you as it won't feel so cruel.
I'd think a reasonable time frame to wean her off the breast would be 4-6 months shorter if she is already nursing less, longer if she is still nursing very often.
If you could post why you want to wean her by her birthday I could do a bit of research for you and find some more tips and advice on how to do it.
But it really varies upon why you are thinking of weaning her so young.
And also, forgot to mention, have you already used a pump? Some women aren't able to pump their milk,some can but not much,some it works just fine. But if you don't know how your body responds to a pump it is worth trying it out before you decide that you want to get her off the breast.