Weaning, and would like advice?

Question

My daughter is 12 1/2 months old.  She has been breastfed from the beginning.  I started giving solid meals and formula twice per day a month ago, and we managed to cut out two of eight daily breastfeedings.  Then she got the flu, and the only thing she'd eat was breast milk, so I gave in and let her have her lunch and dinner feedings back.

For many reasons, I have decided now that it is time to wean her.  I've heard that dropping one feeding at a time is the easiest way to do it, and it WAS easy to drop those first two feedings earlier, but since she was sick, she just doesn't seem as interested in real food at all.  Ive cut out breastfeedings during the day, taking us down to three feedings (breakfast, bedtime, and midnight).  However, my daughter WILL NOT eat anything during the day, except the occasional spoonful or two of macaroni (which, up to a couple of weeks ago, was her favorite thing in the world) or mashed potatoes.  She won't even eat the Gerber Grabbers fruit purees that she used to love.  

Is taking away all daytime feedings too dramatic for her?  I was planning to do this for a week, then take away everything but the bedtime feeding next week, then after a week, stop that as well.  Why won't she eat? She's clearly hungry, I can hear her stomach growling.  I offer her food four or five times per day.  Different things.  She won't drink any milk or formula at all.  She used to happily take formula, but she won't now. All food, she just shakes her head hard at, and fusses if I try to force it.  Any advice from other moms who've weaned?  Please no one telling me that I just need to continue to breastfeed.

david · Accepted Answer

I think you should continue to bf whenever she wants. When she becomes more accustomed to eating solids, she will started eat to get full, at this age and stage, food is just fun and there for exploration and mess making, in her mind. Once she realizes what her "relationship" with solid food is, she will get it :)
We introduced solids to our son when he was 10 months old and about 6 weeks later, he began to fill up and then his mlk feedings decreased. He fully weaned from the bottle at 13 months, on his own.

One thing I think you should try is to offer expressed milk in a cup for him :) That way you will get him to slowly let go of the "I need to find mommy so I can eat" idea :) good luck and try not to stress, we've all been through it -_-

Princess Purple · Answer

It might be too much for right now while she is fighting off sickness.  Breastmilk is very important for that as it has immunities that will help her.  You might want to let her nurse as much as she can until she is feeling better...that's what I would do.  It's good for her to have as much of that milk as she can to get better.

Do you have a pump? Because that might help if you don't want her on the breast.

Hmmm..10 days is a while but even without fever it can sometimes take a little bit for a virus to pass.  Her tummy might still be a little upset maybe? That's the only reason I can think of why she doesn't even want formula or milk.

KneeKnee · Answer

I would keep nursing for at least a week after she has been sick. Weaning during cold & flu season is hard for that reason.  Also, if she is eating at night she won't be hungry during the day. Eliminate midnight feeding before day feedings

stanberry · Answer

hi, she is sufficiently previous to have persist with on milk now. you employ that as a substitute of the SMA. Introduce it progressively, by applying mixing the two mutually. replace one million ounce at a time. Milk continues to be the main needed nutrients at this point. so which you do no longer take the milk away and replace with nutrients. You provide the cereal, besides as. As she learns to consume greater as she gets older, then you definately can decrease the quantity of milk a litttle. and he or she would be able to get directly to 3 nutrients an afternoon. She might desire to have her morning bottle. Then an hour or 2 later, supply her some cereal. do merely it very progressively, there is not any rush. you do no longer might desire to offer her 3 'nutrients an afternoon' once you initiate. merely initiate with breakfast. you will be able to desire to computer screen for her reaction and seem for alllergies.

? · Answer

She's still a bit traumatized. Let her nurse for now. Is there a reason you  need to right now? Or just what you prefer, Sometimes, you have to go with what is best for your child, even if it's a hassle. She may come back to food once she recovers. She's still rememberinbg what it was like to be ill.

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Weaning, and would like advice?

5 Answers