What's your plan for introducing WM?

BabyCarryingVessel · August 2013

If you're going to give WM after their first birthday, how are you going to do it? When do you expect baby to be totally weaned off of bm, formula and bottles? I'll talk to the pedi at their 12 mo appointment to be sure.

KraneRN · August 2013

This was discussed at our 9 month appointment. Our Pedi's opinion is that after DS turns 11 months we can try sips of WCM. It's recommended that we start with 1oz once a day for 3-5 days and then increase the amount slowly from there. For DD when she would finally take about 3 oz in a sippy we started dropping nursing sessions and bottles. I would drop a session, wait a couple of days and then drop another. She was completely weaned at 13 months.

I'm planning on trying to do the same with DS...I'm not sure that he will wean as easily, but who knows.

We were actually told that the goal is 12-24 oz of WCM per day. Anything more puts them at risk for anemia bc they fill up on the milk instead of solids.

morrkim · August 2013

Because she has a dairy intolerance we will probably not try for a while, but when we do we will probably put it in her sippy cup and give it with a meal.

ac1259 · August 2013

I discussed it with my pediatrician at the 9 month appointment. She said that when we switch over at a year that she should be consuming 5 small meals a day, 1 bottle/cup of milk may replace 1 meal like at bedtime. She suggested when we switch over (we're FF) to start with like 1/4 milk, 3/4 formula and slowly get to all milk, especially if the baby is used to warm formula, because sometimes they refuse the milk because it's cold. So I figured we'd start doing that after her birthday. We need to up the solids though, she loves her purees but is showing a lot more interest in what we eat so we've kinda just been sharing and then continuing her purees and yogurt. Not sure if that helps anyone but I love my pediatrician and thought that was nice to have a "plan".

ac1259 · August 2013

She also said that DD should drink at least 24 oz of WM a day after a year ...if that helps

JoNi2010 · August 2013

My pedi at 9month appointment is the one who mentioned that it was fine to give him a bit here and there. He drinks water and some diluted juice from a small cup so we started rotating the WM. It's not for weaning at this time, but just to give him a variety and get him used to it. Next month, I will be giving him more and more WM. I don't think there is something magical that will happen between 11month and 12 month so I will be starting the weaning a bit early as long as he tolerates it. I am hoping by the time he turns a year, he is transitioned to complete WM during the day and I can stop pumping.

Rachelilly23 · August 2013

Jessica614 said:

LauraT25 said:

mbm1983 said:

and since i spend an extra $100+ a month on formula, that $3/gallon looks much more pleasing to my wallet. it'll be interesting to see the difference in cost whenever she is fully on milk.

Oh god I hear this. I have been WAITING for her to start drinking less now that she has upped her solids. Mostly we are just pouring more down the sink.

I can't wait to get off formula, man does it kill me buying it every week. We're waiting until a year though. $3/gallon looks so good. I'm wondering still though how much milk I'm going to go through. Will I be the person in the grocery store buying 5 gallons of milk, lol

DS1 drinks a gallon of milk alone within 3 days. He drinks 2%. DH and I drink fat free. When I start buying whole milk for DS2, we're going to be sent to the poor house. We only buy organic milk, so right now we spend $30-40 a week on milk. So yeah, I'm that person with at least 2 gallons per trip to the store!

Rachelilly23 · August 2013

DS2 has already had some milk. When DS1 leaves his cup within reach, DS2 is all over it. Of course he's not getting a lot, but he takes as many swigs as he can before he gets caught.

That said, it doesn't bother his tummy like cheese does. Cheese is just plain evil for E... He's doing better with yogurt than he used to though, so I know he's doing a bit better with dairy in general.

I've read the different views on giving cow's milk before 1 year, and the biggest concern is that it lacks the nutrition of breastmilk and formula. As long as you're not forgoing boob or bottles, I'm on the "it's ok" side if you don't have a family history of allergy and they tolerate the other "approved" dairy products just fine. A little here and there isn't going to hurt the kid, it's not like it's poison. I think E actually really likes it, which is good news for me since I would really like to wean at a year. Not good for my wallet, since like I said, we already spend $30-40 a week in milk.

NoelBird · August 2013

We will slowly start transitioning at 1 and see how he does. My pedi told us to watch him for an intolerance since he tends to be constipated a lot and he will only tolerate gentle formula. He said it may not be an issue but to do the transition slowly, (1/4 WM for 2 weeks, then 1/2 for two weeks etc.). I too am excited about not buying formula any more, I am wondering how you travel with milk since it has to be kept cold? I currently bring powder formula to mix as I need it. What do you do with milk?

Starry Again · August 2013

I am going to mix some with breast milk at 11.5 months. Reason being I plan a hard stop of pumping at 12 months so it gives us time to transition. I also want to wean completely by 12.5 months since I am going to Mexico with DH for a few days and don't want to pack my pump, and soon after I am going to India for work and need to take anti malaria pills incompatible with BFing. Our doctor said 11.5 months was cool to start.