Need Support from Moms re: Weaning

Anjel_9@hotmail.com

My 7 month old has been breastfed and bottle-fed expressed milk since birth.  About three weeks ago we had to start supplementing with one bottle of formula a day because I'm just not able to keep up with her by pumping.  For the past 2 months, she has been difficult to nurse.  She arches and cries (doesn't have reflux, no spit up), she pushes me away, she just has very little interest.  It's been very stressful and hurtful for me, and since I am anxiety-prone anyway, my husband and I agreed that it's probably time to follow her lead and start to wean.  It's just causing too many tears (mine mostly) and too much stress.  I'm very sad that this special time with my baby has become a struggle and will soon be ending.  I could really use the support of hearing from other moms who went through a baby-led weaning process around the same age range. 

nanabanana06

Well, if your going to switch to formula I'd do it gradually. I know at this age babies can be very squirmy, wiggly, and distracted. Is she eating for any length of time at all? I know that babies tend to become more efficient as time goes on. I know for me there was a multitude of factors that drove me to stop BF. One of which was anxiety/depression.

Your child shouldn't be "weaned" completely. She still needs formula pretty much exclusively for the first year. So if your ready I'd just transition over a few days/weeks to all formula. Then I'd start working on solids. I know in our house we do Baby Led Weaning for solids. My son loves them, but we're still only at 1-2 meals and a few snacks a day. He still drinks six 6 oz bottles per day. We're letting him tell us when he needs more meals and  such and just giving him things we eat, no puree. If you are doinf puree then just work on getting her on a good schedule and do a transition to finger foods at about 9-11 months. GL

poppyc8

I don't have any experience with weaning but I just wanted to add to try not to be too hard on yourself. You are doing the best you can and your baby with still love you just as much either way.

candr09

DD started weaning at 6 months and was completely on formula by 7 months. It was hard emotionally but I wasn't making enough milk and it was really just the best decision at that point. We were both happier with formula.
DS is 8 months now and my supply is dropping. I'm going to keep going as long as I can but I don't know how much I can keep up anymore... I'm down to 10oz left in the freezer :-<

Anjel_9@hotmail.com

Thank you all very much for the support and the suggestions.  Yesterday (no work b/c of holiday) rather than trying to fight her during the day when she's especially tough to nurse, I just gave her a bottle when she was ready to eat, and pumped so my supply didn't drop anymore.  It was so much easier.  No stress, no struggle.  We sat in the same rocking chair that I use to nurse her, and I held her and it wasn't so bad after all.  I know that the nighttime feed is going to be the toughest to let go, so I'm going to allow myself to work up to that one.  Fighting the feelings of guilt and trying to feel proud that I kept it up as long as I did, while working full time, not easy!