Weaning herself, substitute with formula?

[hulababysmommy]

Hi!

My DD is almost 11 months (a week away.) The last week and a half she seemed to have no (or very little) interest in nursing the 2 day feedings (11 am and 3 pm.) She seemed just fine with the morning (6:30 am) and bedtime (6:30 pm) feeding. I don't think it has to do with teething, so I thought, well maybe she is ready for weaning and I should drop 1 feeding, so yesterday and today I didn't offer the 11 am feeding. She just had a snack and seemed totally fine with it. Yesterday, during the 3 pm feeding, she only took 1 side (I've been feeding DD 2 sides ever since we started) and was done nursing.

I thought I was going to be nursing DD 4 feedings until 12 months, so I am very surprised, confused and slightly concerned by her actions. What if she also does not want to take the 3 pm feeding anymore? Do I try to substitute the 2 feedings with formula? DD is not used to drinking out of a bottle and only takes tiny little sips of water out of a sippy cup. She does eat 3 good solid meals. But I guess I'm a little nervous about the small amount of milk (and fluids in general) she will be getting if she also decides not to want the 3 pm feeding anymore. Anybody have some advice? I appreciate it! Thanks!

[Carter'sMama]

Congrats for breastfeeding for this long!!!!  I think that many times our lo's are ready to wean themselves before we are ready for them too.  I ended up dropping the 2 day feeds at 10.5 months and just last week dropped the evening feed so we are down to only the morning feed now.

I think many pediatricians say that you "can" start cow's milk after 9 months of age but others recommend giving formula.  I would check with your ped and see what he thinks.  I had to start giving soy milk because of a dairy allergy but Carter adapted really well (alhtough he will only drink milk out of a bottle). 

The book I have here says that between 10-12 months your baby should have approximately 3 bottles/feedings a day of about 6-7 oz each in addition to a wide variety of solid foods.  When I dropped my DS's first feed I introduced a nutritious snack instead to make sure he was getting important nutrients.  That is good that your baby eats 3 good solid meals.  If you are ok with stopping the day feeds it sounds like your DD is ready too!  If not you could continue to perservere and see what happens.  Maybe she is going through a phase and will start up again in a few days! 

HTH

[hulababysmommy]

Thank you Carter'sMama!

Before I read your answer, I kind of didn't know what to do today about the one day feed. So I tried to give DD some formula in a sippy cup. Well, she didn't want it at all! Maybe its the same as with introducing new foods. Maybe I have to be patient and offer again and again. 6-7 oz. seems so far away right now..... Did you have any problems with introducing formula?

Also, do you give your lo the milk at the times you would normally nurse him? So once DD is weaned of the breast, will she still be drinking milk at the times she used to nurse? And how long will that be the routine? Sorry, I just don't know how this works....
I appreciate your help!

[JacobMarksMummy]

Yes I have to agree. My DS is 12months in a few weeks and although I'm very prepared for the fact that as he has gradually self weaned from seven months he will soon be finished I'm so sad he has dropped to two nurses a day 

I would offer her milk at her usual times. Most babies at this age seem to have a morning and before bed milk but anytime would bve fine. Try and keep in mind she needs a pint of milk a day and if your stuggling to get her to drink milk try giving her yoghurt or cheese as they are both full of calcuim. I dont think you shud run into trouble offering her formula just keep an eye out for allergic reactions and if her bowel movement habits change dont be too alarmed 

[hulababysmommy]

Thank you very much for your help so far! I was hoping to trouble you for some answers once more. I hope that's okay....

Once DD is 12 months I would like to get her on whole milk. Let's say (and hope) she will still do 3 BF a day until she turns 1 year.
How do I make the switch to whole milk? Gradually, that is about all I know about it. But how do I do that?
Just give her little sips of whole milk at a time she would normally nurse? And then bf after that?

Could you please your experiences with me? Thanks a lot!

[Carter'sMama]

When I dropped Carter's first feed I tried formula but he wouldn't take it at all!  My ped then said to try soy milk because he was already 10 months old ( I wish now that I would have kept trying with formula because of the nutrients).  HE didn't like the soy milk either but I persisted.  I started by mixing 3/4 of a bottle of ebm with 1/4 of a bottle of formula or milk (just be sure to mix the formula according to directions ... add water or whatever and then add the breast milk to that.  It's important to dilute/mix the formula with water like the label says).  I did this for a few days and then went to 1/2 and 1/2 and then 3/4 milk with 1/4 ebm and he just started taking it.  I was giving it in a bottle when he would normally have nursed.  So basically our routine was 7:00 -bf, 3:00 (before pm nap) - bottle, 7:30 - bf before bed.  We actually still do it that way although he doesn't always have an afternoon nap 

As for introducing whole milk, you can give it when she normally would have nursed or you could try it throughout the day.  As an adult I usually drink milk with meals so you could try and introduce it at every meal and see what happens.  When they are eating they usually get thirsty so she may be more inclined to have some.  I find alot of babies are very particular about the temp of their milk too.  Carter only drinks water ice cold (and he drinks a TON of water ... like 4 sippy cups of 7 oz each every day!!!) but he will only drink his soy milk out of a bottle and if it is quite warm    You may have to experiment!!!

I hope this helps!  Feel free to ask as many questions as you want .. that's why we are here!

[hulababysmommy]

Thank you Cathy! I really appreciate it; you and JakobMarksMummy have been very helpful!

I've tried giving DD formula the last 2 days - after she wakes up from her morning nap (at the time she would otherwise have nursed.) She didn't want it at all! I tried giving it to her in a sippy cup - maybe that's not helping. She does take water in a sippy cup but not nearly as much as you lo does! My, oh, my, he drinks a lot of water! If only I could get DD to drink 1 sippy cup full of water. On a good day she'll drink 1 oz. total!

Anyway, so far DD still takes one side during her 3 pm feeding. If she keeps that up, I think I will leave the formula for now. If she decides to drop that feeding as well, I will try again. Even though DD has never taken a bottle (I don't even have one in the house right now!) I may have to try that.

Again, thanks for your help!

Ankie