Needing to Wean One Year Old from Breastfeeding!!

Have you tried adding a little apple juice to her milk? I had to wean my daughter abruptly at 9 months when I realized I had an ulcer and needed to take medication to help. I substituted one ounce of juice in a eight ounce bottle. Maybe this would also work if you placed the milk in a sippy cup. This worked like a charm for my daughter, good luck!

Have you tried to give her something other than milk in her cup. I have a 1 year old daughter and when I tried to get her to slow down on her drinking milk (because it was getting her bloated) I started to give her baby juice and water. Normally babys will not drink water, but I found this water that has a little hint of beery flavor in it and ever since then she is down to having milk once a day.

When I weaned my daughter I gave her some enriched rice milk in a sippy cup. It's sweeter than regular cows milk, and is enriched with calcium and vitamins. I have never given my daughter any cows milk and she's as healthy as can be.

my sister in law suggested this for me my son was 3 and still breastfeedinf no problem but need him to stop for similar reasons. she said have the child with you in the kitchen and stand at the stove and pretend you tits get hurt by flying bacon grease. and rush and put cold water on them, then have here or him help with the band aids, place across nipples. and when they try to nurse saw i am sorry but i have ohwises remember? it worked like a dream. kids do want to see mommies hurt. and give sippie or what ever they will settle for instid. hope this helps. old mom

I nursed both my daughters for a year. Weaning was harder with the second one but had similar problems with both. Neither wanted a bottle. I started by warming soy milk (better for them than cow's milk) in the microwave and putting it in a bottle. I made it pretty warm (not too hot, obviously...about 45 sec) and gave it to them first thing in the morning. When they had been drinking warm soy from a bottle for a few days I switched the soy to a sippy cup. I found the warm soy milk was nice because it was the temperature of breast milk and starting in a bottle (without giving in and nursing) made the transition easier.

First, call La Leche League and see if they have any ideas about breastfeeding and your medication and weaning. A lot has changed and many of the drugs that were no-no's while breastfeeding are now okay. None of my three children like Cow's milk either (not even my 7 year old to this day). Here is a food serving size for toddlers (from Super Baby Food-one of my favorite books): 1/4 - 1/2 of an adult's portion size consisting of 3 small meals and 2 snacks a day. Your baby may be nursing more frequently because her appetite is increasing. What kind of snacks have you tried? Your baby's second year of lilfe (from 1-2 years) is the most important time for establishing food preferences. Try some of the recommendations from Super Baby Food such as sweet potato, avacado, banana, etc. Is there something causing your depression or is it a chemical imbalance? Consider getting a second opinion about your medication. There is so many drugs available, perhaps there is another one that can be prescribed? Good luck.

Hi! I am in a similar situation with a 15 month old boy. Other moms recommended to me
online advice from Jay Gordon about the weaning. I haven't tried it yet. My baby also
wouldn't drink cow's milk or soy, so after asking around, I found out that the only reason
they need it is for the fat (brain development) and vitamin D. He likes cheese, cottage
cheese, yogurt, butter etc, and sometimes I give him a little cow's milk or soy milk
with cereal for breakfast. But as a beverage? No way. A friend of mine gives her baby
goat's milk. Anyway . . good luck with the weaning. I heard it takes two weeks. I'm too sleep deprived to try it!
Take care, Theresa

Hi R.,

Weening can be very frustrating. I recently weened my son. He wasn't too happy but he got used to it. Just take it down to 2 feedings maybe in the morning and at night when she goes to sleep. Then down to one. My little didn't like milk at first either. You can make a simple banana smoothie if you have a blender or you can add a drop of vanilla and a pinch of nutmeg to the milk so it tastes better.
Hang in there you can make it!

I think you just will have to work at it slowly. Either by reducing the number of minutes nursing or sessions. If you try to cut out sessions, I would get out of the house during that time.

I do agree to check with and IBCLC about medication options, if you don't want to wean, but need the medecine. If you are ready to wean, just approach it slowly, one day at a time.

If depression if one of your motivating factors, there are several things you can do first...B6 is a mighty depression lifter for some women, and it would be pretty unusual if you depression was not tied into fluctuating hormones.. did you ever try progesterone cream, which you can buy otc for your depression? Usually our bodies don't have shortages of pharmaceutical drugs, but instead an imbalance in something that it must have naturally. This can happen to young women who have not had children as signaled by PMS and it very often happens to women who have experience childbirth. You can obtain progesterone cream at most health food stores.. or online. Do some research as to what to look for in a cream. If your money loosens up enough you can look for a Dr. like Sakina Davis in The Woodlands, TX. She is a GP with a practice that also specializes in women's hormone treatments. You can see her as a new patient for about 55-60 dollars. Either of these options is likely to be better for you and your child.

Additionally breastfeeding for a year is great,but if you can do it, the breastfeeding weaning will often happend sort of naturally, (with a bit of encouragement of course to give up before bed nursing and maybe AM nursing), but there is absolutely no doubt that breastmilk is the best for your child, and soy is a no no.. any soy that is unfermented messes with your thyroid, and if you read about homogenized milk and processing and how it changes it, and makes it a source of problems for a bodies you'll probably not consider it either for your sweetie and maybe not yourself.

There are other things that could contribute to your depression and the advice to get off sugar and white flour, processed foods is a good one. So try B6, it is water soluable, meaning extra is flushed out.. (don't go nuts just read about it online for dose idea etc..) and progesterone has been a God send for soooo many women I know young and old...

It is worth a try,..natural, vs. chemicals is way better.

R.,
Hi, I had this same type problem and I had to have a little help. I hope that you have some help...someone else not you should try the warm milk. Your breast milk is warm and so the milk in the cup/nuby should be too. Have you tried the soft clear nuby from walmart? They were the best for me as far as transition. You may also want to try to put her cup with a few toys and she will see that it is friendly and she may initiate play and may not be so upset...Most importantly congratulations to YOU mom for nursing your little one for an entire year!!!! You have done the very best for your daughter, you should be so proud!
Good Fortune!
A.

Have you tried putting breast milk in a bottle?

I realize your need to get back on meds that can help your depression, but think carefully before you give your sweet girl anything else but breastmilk. Please go to her doctor for allergy tests first. Maybe there is a medication that can be taken by breastfeeding mothers and that is safer and would do for now.
My son refused everything but breastmilk until 17 months old. He became seriously ill from cows milk, soy milk, baby cereals, baby fruit, and baby veges.
He weaned himself and began to accept homemade baby foods when he was ready. Then he ate only what I prepared for him. He was,amazingly, not allergic nor did he reject foods when ready. The doctor said that it was, however, a good possibility that he was allergic and it was a good thing that I checked.
I hope this has been helpful.

Both of my daughters refused bottles as well. My oldest would not drink any other milk. I tried every kind available. My pediatrician told me she could get calcium from other great sources such as yogurt, ice cream, cheese, brocolli, etc... I finally stopped worrying about how much milk she drank and concentrated on other sources. She is now a healthy 6 year old. The only kind of milk I can get her to drink now is homemade hot chocolate. As to weaning, I dropped one feeding a week. If at all possible, drop feedings when she can be with Dad or someone else for the first few days. I would run an errand or just make myself scarce for a little while. I hope this helps.

R., are you working with a Lactation Educator or IBCLC Lactation consultant? If your main reason for wanting to wean is the medication, you need to have someone research it for you in the Medications and Mother's Milk book, which is the ONLY text specific to the safety of medications while breastfeeding. Also, the safety of many medications vary depending on the age of the baby. There are a lot of things you can do depending on the specific medication.

Merry-Go-Round (my company) in Kingwood has lactation educators on staff. Why don't you give us a call ###-###-####), we'll be happy to help.

I breastfed all my babies (5 of them), but never had this problem. Hum...if she won't take cow's milk or soy, i would try goat's milk. It is supposedly closely compared to breastmilk and is more easily digested. Here are two websites that compare goat and cow milk. I pray all goes well!

http://altmedangel.com/milkcomp.htm
http://askdrsears.com/html/3/t032400.asp

hi R.,
not sure why you are trying to wean her - you didn't say. perhaps she's not ready.

re the milk or soy, please read the info on both at the weston a. price foundation website (sorry, google for the address, i don't have it in my head) -

i feed mine till age 2

i had to wean two earlier because i was ill and those times i used goat milk...

god bless,
CB

Just because she spits it out does not make her allegic. Babies are smart even at a year old. You said you were down to four feeding every couple of days go down one more. Take out the night feeding last. Watch to make sure she is peeing. Don't give in when she won't drink from the cup she is trying you. She needs that whole milk to develop her brain. Now, if she developes other signs of an allegic reaction that is a different story. There are other things out there. It will be difficult. Espeically if you are suffering from depression. Have your husband help or a family member.

As far as getting your daughter to drink milk, what worked for me was mixing it with breast milk/formula gradually until it was all cow's milk. We started out with 3/4 breast milk and 1/4 cow's milk and did that for about 5 days, then switched to 1/2 and 1/2 and then to 1/4 breast milk and 3/4 cow's milk, and then all cow's milk. I tried doing it just 1/2 and 1/2 at first but that wasn't gradual enough for my little guy. Hope that helps.

All things aside, you should be treating your depression. I know as moms we are so reluctant to put ourselves first for anything, but if you are not feeling your best, then you cannot be your best for your child. While I do believe breast feeding is the best choice for your baby, stopping to make your self better, is the best for everyone in the long run.
I would talk to your doctor, but the best advice I have ever gotten was "healthy babies will not starve themselves". This was true with both of my kids, who are very strong willed, and we had some miserable days, but my son took days of fighting me, and my daughter 2, and then everyone was back to being happy. They are both in the 90th percentile.

Is there any reason to wean her? Why not just follow her lead/need? I promise she won't nurse forever :)

What worked for us when I weaned my daughter at 16 months, was to cut her down very slowly on the breastfeeding. I did 5 min. less per week until the specific feeding time was eliminated and replaced with a regular meal or snack depending on the time of day. So if she nursed an average of 20minutes for breakfast, the first week of weaning we did 15 min+breakfast of cereal (i used regular cooked organic oats pureed with fresh/dry organic fruit of choice. i cooked the oats in water.) and water and milk as choices to drink from a cup, and then 10min.+breakfast the second week and then 5min. +breakfast the third week and then on the fourth week it was eliminated and fully replaced with just her breakfast. I worked to get the beginning of the day feeding time out of the way first and then just worked on each one after that the same way, but replacing it with appropriate meal/snack. My daughter nursed about 6 times a day when I began the weaning process. The night feed was the last to go and it went smoothly and without incident. I think she felt secure in letting go because I felt secure as well. I have good memories and I think she does too!

As far as milk goes, as far as I understand babies can get those calories/ nutrients found in milk from other things as well, like cheese or milk mixed in other things like oatmeal or pudding or plain yogurt. I know of healthy babies that are milk free too, but I just don't know what exactly they replace the nutrients/calories with. We are not milk free here at the house.
I hope this helps and please email me if you have any other questions. I searched high and low for a way to wean that was a non-cry solution and also not by the time my child was 3 or 4 years old.
L.

It's a shame you have to wean, the world average for weaning is 2-3 years... and unfortunately at her age, she is venturing out to explore, sometimes getting frightened and finds comfort at the breast more than nourishment.
You should take some time to do this as a sudden cut-off would be quite traumatic at this stage.
Replace nursings with play, or snack or story time... perhaps with Daddy.
Make it gradual, give a lot of love.
Good luck... you really should call a La Leche League leader and learn more about your medicine. Many many times doctors are ignorant about alternatives to a medicine, and often just tell a mom to wean out of sheer laziness in looking up info.

Have you tried warming the cow's milk?

Try goat's milk if you must do milk. If you want to do juice, dilute it. Only tsps with 16oz of water.

Milk and juice should really not be given to kids.

As for depression. More exercise, more oxygen to the brain. Less sugar. No white flour. Ezekial bread is best. You can get it at HEB, Central Market or Whole Foods. What are you depressed about? Make two lists: one list that you are depressed about and one that you are greateful for. Be in a grateful mindset for your breath, your arms and legs, abilities and for life. You're a new mom, what could be more happy? Some women, would love to have what you have. A baby.

Humans are the ONLY animals that drink milk beyond weaning. We do NOT have to have it!!! So quit worrying about her getting milk. If she likes something else to drink, she will stay hydrated. The kind of calcium in cow's milk is not easily absorbable by humans anyway. If you are worried about calcium, see that she eats other calcium rich foods or give her a GOOD children's vitamin (I'm not talking Flintstones here, but one may by a good company like Rainbow Light or other "heath food store" brand).

As for your depression, try acupuncture. You have a good school of Oriental Medicine close to you (Academy of Oriental Medicine on Anderson Lane in Austin) where you can get low cost treatments in the student clinic. They can also give you some herbs that can help your depression, but still be used during breastfeeding. This could be a lifesaver for both of you. Please let me know how you are doing.

Contact LaLeche League. They will have ideas. Are you sure you can't do with more B vitamins and more being outside? I am not telling you what to do. I know how that feels. Good luck.
Marge

I cannot say that I have any advice concerning the weaning issue. However, I will say this; Yoga has saved me from depression time and time again. It is truly a life saver. There are wonderful classes in the CC area. You could try The Yoga Studio of CC at 6 points, or Angel Light Yoga on Everhart. Also, the Christus Spohn Island Health Center offers classes too.

Best wishes.

I just stopped breast feeding my 12 month old son 2 weeks ago so I know exactly what you are going through. Here's what worked for me:
I started cutting down on my feedings to 3-4 a day (morning, two day, night). During the day I would also give him a sippy cup with water or juice. My son never took a bottle for me either so we went straight to a sippy cup once he started eating solids. I did this for around 2-3 weeks then cut down to just morning and night feedings and only a cup during the day. If you don't offer your breast, don't change in front of her, etc she will get used to the routine. If she starts crying distract her with a toy, book, cartoon. (I did notice changing in front of my son would really upset him and make him want to feed). After another couple of weeks or so I cut down to just nights. This not only helps her but helps you slowly decrease your supply so you don't get engorged. I never got blocked milk ducts and when I finally completely stopped feeding I got my first. It was PAINFUL and I was just glad I gradually weaned otherwise it could have been worse. Occasionally my son will whine if I change in front of him but for the most part he is used to the new routine. I also planned ahead and have some frozen breast milk stored to give him so he isn't completely off breast milk all at once and can slowly get used to other milk. Don't give up because she rejects cow's milk or soy milk. Of course they are going to reject something new (and cold). Stay strong!

I had the same problem with my little one not wanting to drink cow's milk either. I just kept offering it in a sippy cup and she drinks it just fine now. I think it's just an adjustment for them both psychologically and to the taste. Another option might be to wean to formula to get her to take a cup with milk then gradually switch over to cow's milk. I just eliminated one feeding at a time and waited 5-7 days between eliminating feedings and it went pretty well. Good luck!

have you tried to deal with your depression without medication? just curious. i know that a lot of depression is helped by balancing your omega 3's. most people have way toooo many omega 6 fatty acids in their diets and that is a huge problem. cod liver oil (in oil or pill form) is huge in helping as well as getting off refined foods (pretty much anything in a box) and sugar. have you tried any of those?
as far as the breastfeeding...if she is wanting it that much then i think she needs it. kids are hitting huge developmental milestones at 1 year, even up to 2 years (plus they are still developing their immune system) and need to know they have that safe place to fall on. same thing happened with my daughter. when we introduced foods, it seemed like she nursed more. i wasn't trying to wean, but she didn't like bottles either. as she got closer to age 2 she seemed to understand more when i would explain things. i got pregnant with our 2nd baby when she was 20 months. my milk dried up about 3 months into the pregnancy but by then she understood that "mommy's mimi's (what she calls them) were empty". i don't know, just an idea. if you can deal with your depression without taking drugs and are ok breastfeeding, i'd stick with that. but i don't know your situation.
good luck!
p.s. if she won't take regular cow's milk, she might like raw milk. some/most people who don't handle pasteurized cow's milk can do that raw as it has all of it's enzymes to aid digestion. don't know if you're into that at all. my toddler loves it (as do my husband and i). if you want more info on that let me know.

I am in the same boat R. so if you figure anything out please let me know!! It is so hard!!

I'm a stay at home mom also of an 18 month old girl. She was 15 months when I weaned her from breastfeeding. I sort of had to force wean her b/c my husband and I were going out of the country with out her. Anyways...I just cut out one feeding each week until she was weaned. But as far as a milk supplement, we've given her Goat's Milk. She never took a bottle either and went from breast to sippee cup. She certainly was not interested in the Goat's milk at first and took about 2 weeks to get used to it. It just takes some consistancy. Best wishes!

Dear R.,
I fully admit that I am a big proponent of breastfeeding; I nursed all three of my now grown children for two to three plus years each. In the long-run, big picture scheme of things, I am truly pleased that I did so; there are so many benefits for the child. The nursing dynamic changes as they get older and acquire more skills; i.e., walking, language, more interest in the external world and increased food appetites.

I understand that depression is a significant factor here and I wonder if you have considered more alternative approaches to addressing it; e.g., exercise, diet, exploration of causal factors.

I am an ex-clinical social worker who now practices more alternative therapies and again I admit that I have a bias toward exploring causal factors of depression rather than masking symptoms chemically or risking side-effects.

Just something to consider...
Wishing you the best with this decision,
J. Humphreys

Hi R.,

As a Parent Coach and former nursing mom (my sons are all in school now), I would like to offer some ideas.

Congratulations on successfully nursing your beautiful daughter for a full year! You have given her a GREAT foundation for nutrition, immunities, bonding and other wonderful benefits. Celebrate this milestone!

I hear your need to get back on your medications in this email. Respect what you feel is best for yourself and help your daughter in the process. While the transition to another source of milk may be challenging, she will be fine.

Of my three sons, one was a bit difficult in getting him to take milk. We tried many things, but I will mention some that worked for us and some ideas I've just now thought about.

First, if your daughter was not offered a bottle for anything when younger, she may never like the synthetic nipple in her mouth. Since she is already a year old, a cup may suffice for her nutrition. Let her take the lead on that.

Buy her a new special sippy cup. See if she will help you pick out a new one and use it as soon as you get it cleaned. Let her carry it to the checkout line and carry it home, talking about it all the way, building anticipation. Some sippy cups come with valves to prevent leaking - I highly recommend looking for one of these.

Also, try colorful straws, especially the "curly" kind. My boys loved watching any liquid go through the curly straw.

Try a gradual approach to transitioning her. If you can pump breast milk, do so for some feedings and try the sippy cup or bottle. If possible, someone else may need to do the feeding for this because she associates you with the breast. Save the nursings for the times when she most seems to want them - the last feeding of the day was usually the last one we let go.

When she will take breast milk in a cup or bottle fairly consistantly, take the breast milk and gradually add the milk of your choice to it. Begin with mostly breast milk and only a bit of the new milk and add more of the new milk over time.

As far as any allergies go, consult your Pediatrician about this. I think most kids don't have trouble with them if they've been nursed exclusively for a whole year. Also, ask the doctor about what needs to be done to goat's milk and other raw milk to make it safe for kids to drink (pasteurization, etc).

Your daughter probably wants to nurse for comfort as much as nutrition. Find other ways to provide that love and attention, using your loving arms and luvees, blankets, etc. Children do (eventually) need to learn how to self-comfort using blankets and luvees. For example, if you put her in a Mother's Day Out program later, she will need to be able to self-comfort (with love from the caregiver) and take nutrition from a bottle or sippy cup.

This is a transition that you and your daughter can do!

Let me hear what you decide to do!

Good luck,
J. B.
Parent Coach

Since she is one, she should be getting most of her nutrition from solid foods. Make sure you are feeding her often enough during the day. She really should only be needing the milk in the morning and at night and maybe a little with meals, but she should not need to nurse like an infant. You may need to just spend time rocking her or holding her and read or engage in some other activity to calm/soothe her. While you are not on the meds yet, I would suggest pumping and storing as much as you can right now. Then I would suggest one of two things..either wean her onto the milk by slowly mixing a combination of more breastmilk with a little regular milk. Although she will need whole milk in general, you could also try experimenting with lower fat milks that have a different taste. Breastmilk is a lot sweeter than regular milk so another option is to wean her onto formula temporarily. I found that my picky children liked Carnation Good Start with DHA and RHA (they are wicked smart too, so it must have something good in it!). It does have a little more sweetness to it, but it is not Nestquick! Try mixing that into the breastmilk or directly into cows milk. Good luck and I hope this has given you some options.

wow sounds just like what i went through. i have a 21 month old and i breastfed him till he was 13 months old. he will not drink whole milk at all. and wont take formula. the one thing he did love doing is drinking out of straws. we bought him the sippy cups that had straws. when we first started using these shakes that i am fixing to tell you about. we would buy those straws that bend at the top and put them in the shake and he luved it. and then after he would was used to the shakes we started pouring them into sippy cups with straws infront of him so he saw us pour into the sippy cup and we had no problem. our dr recommended using pediasure shakes. mostly at first because our son is really small so she wanted the extra calories but now we have to keep them on them because he is not drinking milk at all. we buy the heb brand because it is only 5.99 and they have strawberry, vanilla and chocolate. the pediasure is 10.99 and they have about the same flavors. the heb one actually had a little more fat adn more protein so we were happy with that choice. hopefully this will help. i just had to respond because it sounded just like my situation. now on the weaning. mine was really easy. he kinda just weaned himself. but maybe you can substitute those shakes for feedings. goodluck.

I weaned my daughter at 18mos by leaving home for the weekend. I have a very supportive husband and she has two older brothers (they were 3 and 5 at the time). Having me gone, but still having lots of love from Daddy, she hardly cried at all and she took the sippy cup with no problem. It may even have been harder on me than her, but I knew it was time!! I'd say keep up the work with the sippy cup and then try to get away for the weekend (at least 2 nights).

I had the problem with switching from breast milk to cow's milk also (but with my son), and the pediatrician advised me to put him on a sippy cup of water for a couple of days (obviously we were already feeding him cereals and a few fruits and veggies too), and then to try again. He assured me that a 1 year old could go without milk for a couple of days, and then to try the cow's milk (or soy) again b/c my son would have forgotten how the breast milk tasted. Well - it worked! So, check with your pediatrician about that and if you get the green light maybe daddy can handle this part while you are gone. Or, if you can pump, have Daddy feed her breast milk from a sippy while you are gone to wean and then you can try the water/milk when you get back.

Good luck and remember taking care of Mom is just as important as taking care of your precious daughter - so that you can be the best mom ever!!

I just went through this same thing with my 13 month old son except that he wasn't still breastfeeding four times a day. He was actually weaning himself from me but wouldn't drink out of anything else either. It was very hard and frustrating! He wouldn't take a bottle or a sippy cup with formula or milk. He also would let the milk just run out of his mouth and he would throw his cup. I was at a complete loss! I just kept trying and eventually he got it.

Just start eliminating the breastfeeding one session at a time then another and another and offer milk in replace of it. Try to be as consistent as you can handle. There will be crying battles but just keep trying and eventually she will start to drink milk out of a sippy cup.

It took about two months for me but now he drinks it really good. I hope this has helped. Good Luck!

I have four children, two were bottle fed and two have been nursed. I was pregnant when I needed to wean- I gave her snacks and a sippy cup- NOT a bottle- with a soft lid. I started out with water and juice and when she was drinking that I gave her goats milk or rice milk mixed with breast milk. I nursed her 3-4 times a day, and not at all at night.

My current nurseling will be one in March and I will be going out of town for a full day at the end of this month. I realize this may wean her completely from me, but I need to go to the conference. So, I am doing what I did for my last baby- nurse 3-4 times and sippy cup the rest of the time. I'm trying not to let her nurse to sleep, because that prolongs the weaning problem and will make it difficult for my mom to put her to sleep while I am gone.

Yes, she lets it drizzle out of her mouth but if she's thirsty she WILL and DOES drink it. IF she doesn't, she'll be fine the next time I nurse her. But by the end of this month I'll have her down to nursing 3 times, and eventually 2 times, then only once a day (this will be over a period of a few months since I don't have an urgency to wean right now) until she's ok with having the sippy cup.

I did not want to get her used to a bottle because then I have to wean her from that too. She likes drinking out of an open cup better then a sippy cup.