Tips for weaning a 13 month old

[VanCan]

Hello,
My 13 month old DS nurses 2x per day, and barely takes a sippy cup. He will have some water, but not a big fan of cow's milk. I have gone back to work and would like to begin weaning, starting by cutting out morning feed. Any suggestions? He's a good eater and I hope he will increase his milk intake once the nursing is cut out... Anyone out there that just has a "non-milk" lover, and gets by with lots of cheese and yogurt?

My biggest challenge I think will be DH, who is very easily frazzled, and stressed. We are far from family, so I fear the first few days without morning milk will get him so stressed, that I will just nurse him cause its "easier"... Except that I'm totally exhausted, which is part of why I feel it's time to wean him. With the start of day care and work, we have just been perpetually sick for about 2 months... And sick momma is useless to everyone

Thanks for any tips
V

[*Ali*]

Have you read the FAQ in weaning? Weaning
You can definitely get by without him drinking milk from a cup. Will he have milk in cereal? Or in cheese sauces or milky puddings? LOs only need about 10oz of milk or equivalent after 1yo so it isn't that much if he is eating cheese and yogurt as well. It all counts.
Like you say you may find he will drink more once he isn't getting the BFs everyday. If you get desperate you could try the milk warm with a sprinkle of hot chocolate and then gradually cut the hot chocolate powder back until it is just milk.
We also have a weaning support thread if you would like someone to hold your hand through the process Weaning thread part 3... Come share experiences and offer support

[Fiver]

I think I found the morning feed the easiest to drop as DH just took DD straight downstairs and gave her breakfast rather than into me to have a feed.  Would that be an option for you?

[VanCan]

I'm usually the one to go in when he wakes... I've tried changing his diaper and/or getting him dressed before nursing, to change routine... and it's usually a major struggle... I have resorted to nursing a stinky bum baby, and changing him after. He's so squirmy, I've ended with a poopy struggle if I try changing him first...

He's pretty "determined" about what he wants... But DH is going to have to jump in.

Has anyone tried a timer? Nursing a minute less every day or two ... Decreasing that way?

[Fiver]

Sorry, haven't tried a timer.  What do you think would happen if you had something you could take in to him when he wakes that he could nibble on?  Just a thought. Not sure how it would work

[jessmum46]

I just did what PPs suggested - just missed it out and carried on with everything else as normal in the morning.  Had some exciting breakfast ready for distraction but really I think I missed it more than DD did! 

The bedtime one I dropped by changing routine to nurse before going up for bath (previously nursed after bath then story and into cot), then did the normal BT routine with story and cuddles with her sitting facing outwards on my lap.  The first few times doing this I was confident she wasn't hungry if she protested, as I'd just nursed 20 mins or so previously, and then once she was happy without that last nursing in her room, I just missed out the nursing altogether. 

I did find she wouldn't touch cows milk while I was still nursing, but now she'll drink anything from a few sips to 4oz or so in the morning and evening.  She's not a big milk drinker but we do milk on cereal, in sauces and plenty of cheese and yoghurt . Good luck!