Step by step process of weaning to cow's milk

[hulababysmommy]

Hi there!

My DD is almost 10 months and I plan on stopping to BF her when she turns 1.
I don't know if I should already start the weaning process now or not until later.
Right now, DD BF at 6-10-2 and 6, she takes 3 solid meals a day. She takes her solids
about 1 hour after BF.

Does anybody know of a book that will tell you what to do step by step? I know there's
books out there that will talk about weaning in general. But I don't know how and where
to begin this weaning process and would like some specific guidance.
Anybody that can help this first time mommy?
Thanks a lot!

[Samuel's mum]

I think if you can, start weaning at 12 months. In the UK we're advised against giving babies cow's milk to drink under 12 months (it's OK to use in smaller quantities in cooking or yoghurt). It lacks essential nutrients and contains an excess of protein that can put pressure on baby's kidneys (formula milk, though missing many components of breastmilk, has been treated so it contains some of these missing nutrients). I think your first step is to get her familiar with drinking out of the cup you want her to be proficient at using for her milk or would you use a bottle? (I think try and avoid getting on to a bottle if you can). You could express some breastmilk and get her used to taking milk from it. Then eventually you could mix in cow's milk. Then you could slowly increase amounts of cow's milk. Bottle-feeding folks might be able to give you more information on this. Bare in mind nursing is also about closeness and comfort so weaning will be more for her than just a new kind of milk. Good Luck.

[hulababysmommy]

Thank you Samuel's mum, I appreciate your response!
I guess if I start weaning DD before 12 months she's going to have to switch to formula before she can switch to cow's milk..... Hm, that was not the plan, so it sounds like a good idea to wait until she reaches 12 months. Do most people switch their babies to cow's milk, or will a lot of them still feed formula? I read that there's a formula out there for older babies. Is one or the other better?

DD and I are practising with the sippy cup (she will not take a bottle.) So far just water and a little bit of juice, though, and most of the time she is not interested in it. But we'll keep at it.

I know its different for each baby and I know the closeness and comfort play a huge roll, but can you tell me how long it will approximately take to wean DD off BF completely?
And would you also happen to know if 4 feedings is what DD needs right now, of that I can maybe switch to 3?
Sorry, lots of questions......

Thanks again!

[Samuel's mum]

There are various follow-on formulas available but I think most people who wean at 12 months would go straight to cow's milk - not least because of the expense. It's really up to you. I was in the baby aisle of the supermarket a couple of weeks ago and someone said "mum, they've run out of my special milk!" so clearly some people use it for a while! Why don't you ask a separate question about follow-on/toddler formulas on the bottle-feeding board? They will certainly know.
In terms of the whole UK/US population, sadly most babies do not get to be as lucky as yours and be breastfed beyond 6 months. So in that sense most babies will go onto formula after breastfeeding.
I would think of weaning as a process that takes weeks, not days. I guess it depends how she takes to the other milk as she still needs to drink a certain amount a day. Have a look at 'eating for toddlers' board. There's a sticky about portion sizes and some other discussion on whole milk in other threads.
I would personally say stick with 4 feeds for now.
Keep at with the sippy cup. It's better for her teeth if she doesn't move onto bottles, especially if she's drinking juice.
One last thing - the UK recommendation for 12 months for whole milk isn't the same everywhere. In some places they say 9 months is OK. You might want to check with your doctor.
HTH

[hulababysmommy]

Thanks again Samuel's mum! I appreciate your time!
I will check out the "eating for toddlers" board. I never thought to look there!
And as far as BF goes, for now, we'll just keep doing what we're doing.