Any tips for weaning from early AM feed at one year?

[reecesmom]

I am about to start weaning my 11 mo old DS.  (He'll be one April 3).  I'll be separated from him for 4 days starting April 12th so we have to be fully weaned by then.  I'm not worried about the before bed feed and the afternoon feed...he isn't that attached to either and will transition easily to a cup of milk/formula.  My concern is with his early AM feed.  He goes to bed at 7:00 or 7:30 and wakes up at 5:00 or 5:30 am - he is still tired and not ready to start his day.  Right now I just bring him into bed with my husband and I, nurse him both sides, and he falls back to asleep until 7 or so.  Any tips on what to do with him when I start weaning?  Should I just go in and comfort him and try and get him back to sleep?  Offer him a cup of milk/formula and then try and get him back to sleep?  Thanks for you help.

[Samuel's mum]

I think it really depends on whether he's been falling asleep on the breast or does he completely break off and go back to sleep independently (I'm not judging either way!). If it's the latter, then I don't see why a cup and a gentle hug shouldn't be a substitute. If it's the former, then it might be more tricky. You might want to check out advice on the 'props' board or have a look at this sticky on the 'gentle removal plan' from Nightwakings (talks about Elizabeth Pantley's book, No-Cry Sleep Solution). The gentle removal plan is not a quick fix so if you want results by April you may need to start asap. I think that you could experiment with settling him without any milk as well and see what happens.
Good Luck

P.S If you really don't want to wean there are mums who experience a break from their LOs even for several days and return to find a still keen nursling. Of course, it's entirely up to you.

[reecesmom]

Thanks for the advice.  He doesn't really fall asleep on the breast.  Most days he breaks off, but is almost instantly back asleep, so I'm sure the nursing is a big help.  But on other days, he breaks off and then lies there and talks and babbles and I take him back to his crib and he goes back to sleep on his own.  So I guess that's good news.  I look into your suggestions, too.  I'm hoping to devise a plan and start on it sometime next week.  Thank you again for your help.

[JacobMarksMummy]

It either going cold turkey (he might suprise you!) or you could try water/milk from his sippy if when you go into settle him he gets hysterical because he wants to nurse. But as samuels mum points out you may get away with just taking a break which would be great as it doesnt sound to me as though your ready to stop