How do you wean???

DorothyandMatt · July 2011

I can't figure it out. I don't know how much cows milk to give and when to give it?

Up until 4 nights ago when we started Ferber she was still getting up to nurse 1-2 times to nurse. I was also nursing to sleep at night and for 2 naps so she was getting breast milk about 4-5 times in 24 hours (3 now that I cut night feedings). She wakes up doing the milk sign like crazy but I'm not sure if she should get milk then?

Also she hasn't had a bottle in 6 months since I lost my job, so I'm having trouble getting her to take one even if I put breast milk in it. I'm not even sure what nipple to use now? I have a "Y" cut one on there but I'm not sure if that's too fast? She's not good at a sippy cup either. She drinks water out of a normal cup with our help.

I'd love ANY advice!

shoeboxx · July 2011

Does she drink from a sippy cup at all? Maybe offer her a sippy when she does the milk sign. I weaned LO at 16 months. When he would ask to nurse, I would distract him with a sippy or a toy. For nursing to sleep, I wore high cut top so he couldn't see my breast. It took about 2 weeks, but now I can put him in bed awake and he'll go to sleep on his own...no nursing. He also sttn.

Topi-Jan · July 2011

I agree with going to sippies with cow's directly since she doesn't take a bottle right now anyway. I fully weaned at about 11 months, but slowly dropped one feeding at a time instead of going cold turkey to make things easier on my body. I still gave formula at the same times he would nurse but in a bottle instead (it helped that he had bottles at DC). A high cut top is also a great idea...my son would yank at my collars all day long trying to "convince" me to nurse him .

Just know that she'll probably drink less during the transition but eventually will get back up to speed when she realizes that this is the new way to get milk. GL!

Dreamsicle23 · July 2011

If you really want to wean now you're going to have to refuse nursing sessions. If she's super attached to the morning session, save that for last. Offer a sippy of milk to replace the session you drop. She might pitch a fit and refuse to drink, but if you really want to wean just don't give in and she'll figure out that if she wants milk it needs to be from a cup. Going one at a time will also make you more comfortable so you don't get too leaky/engorged.

Mrs.21 · July 2011

I definitely echo the PP about the sippy, just go straight to that. No need getting her "hooked" on the bottle only to have to take that away too.

I would focus on eliminating 1 nursing session a day for a while, and see how that goes. Try to do mother-led weaning, where you don't offer the breast but don't refuse it. Also, try to give a sippy of milk first if she signs for milk, or distract her and see if she forgets about nursing.

It sounds like your DD is still very much attached to nursing, so it might be a long road for you two. Which is ok. I weaned my DS completely at 14 months, but I started some of mother-led weaning tactics around 10-11 months. Eventually he lost interest completely at 14 months, and it was a smooth process overall.

Good luck!

DorothyandMatt · July 2011

Thanks! I haven't thought of hiding my boobs, LOL! She's really not taking a sippy cup either, I'll just have to keep working on in.

kirkette · July 2011

I'm weaning right now. We're on day 4. I've been hiding my boobs, and giving her milk from a sippy cup. She's been doing great.

However, I almost cracked yesterday when she climbed on my lap, put her head on my chest, tapped my shoulder, and said "Boobs" with a sad face.

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