Breast feeding... how do I ween her off

[XxAnniexX]

Hiya all,

Im trying to ween my daughter off the breast but she wont take anything else... Ive tried bottles, beakers and am open for any other suggestions...

[F1fan]

When my daughter was nearing one,I had to wean her,as she wouldn't sleep without it,and my back was aching! Had plans to do it gradually,but in fact one night she woke up for the millionth time,I was exhausted,and I said,that's it,no more. The next day I just offered her a beaker instead. I know that sounds simplistic,but honestly,within 3 days she wasn't even looking for it anyore.She never took a bottle - I tried once,she didn't know what to do with it,so went straight from the boob to plastic beaker. Hope this helps.

[Sparkles3]

Hi, I assume you have tried expressed milk in bottles and beakers to keep the taste the same? I don't know how old your daughter is, but you might be able to go straight to a cup (with you holding it) which gives her the understanding that she can get drink from something other than mum but she doesn't have to suck. If she is old enough to sit in a high chair with food, you could have a beaker on the tray so that she can take it herself and as the desire for independence takes hold, she will be happy to continue that way. Otherwise, I would just suggest perservering - if you keep offering a bottle/beaker consistently, they tend to accept it eventually as they are hungry/thirsty. You can even tip/squeeze a tiny amount of milk into her mouth so she realises what it is and hopefully she will take it. Worked for mine anyway - hope some of my rambling might help! Good luck!

[lady_p_gold]

I had exactly the same problem and what I did was I had a bottle all ready and I breast fed and then I gradually slipped the teat of the bottle into her mouth at the same time and after a couple of times she got confused and then found herself suckling on the bottle and then gradually I withdrew the breast once she had got more used to the taste and feel of the teat and the formula .........

[XxAnniexX]

Cheers all ! I really appreciate these comments and its good to know that Im not the only one! lol

[sunflower68]

xxAnniexx it is a tricky stage. I once heard that if you wear somebody else's top your baby may not associate the feeding with your own scent. :)

[deso]

McDonalds.

[Brinjal]

It depends how old your child is. I had to wean one of my children early. 5months and got my husband to give the bottle. It seemed to work. If I tried she could smell the milk and refused so my husband fed her a couple of times and she then took the bottle.