Thinking about weaning right before a year?

Jennyt13 · #1 November 21st, 2011, 09:10 AM

Michael is 1 in January (the 14th) - and he gets mostly breastmilk these days. We've supplemented in the past.

I pump 5x a day now - and I'm thinking about weaning by the end of this year - right to cow's milk.

How would I go about doing this?? Any advice?

-erin- · #2 November 21st, 2011, 12:43 PM

You can start to stretch out time between your pumping sessions, by eliminating one at a time or you can start to cut minutes off some or all of your sessions. Either one will start to signal your body to make less milk. I never really had a problem stopping pumping during the day since my body was already making less milk, but some people suggest cabbage leaves in your bra if you have problems with engorgement.

Congrats for making it this long! You've done awesome

ashley5 · #3 November 22nd, 2011, 05:57 AM

I did the samething Erin did. Cut back on the time and then dropped a session, then went cold turkey and didn't hurt at all, but I was also producing less. I'm still able to nurse her in the AM and PM during the week until she's done with that. congrats on making it this long:]

I gradually mixed in cows milk into my daughters bottle, starting with 1/4, then 1/2 and finally it was all cows milk and she didn't mind at all, we had no problem with the transition.

Jennyt13 · #4 November 22nd, 2011, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashley5

I did the samething Erin did. Cut back on the time and then dropped a session, then went cold turkey and didn't hurt at all, but I was also producing less. I'm still able to nurse her in the AM and PM during the week until she's done with that. congrats on making it this long:]

I gradually mixed in cows milk into my daughters bottle, starting with 1/4, then 1/2 and finally it was all cows milk and she didn't mind at all, we had no problem with the transition.

Ok - so - if I wanted to stop by December 31st, and have him on Cow's milk by then, would you say that a 2 week transition period is good? Should I start mixing the milk in a sippy cup with his breast milk around his 11 month birthday? (yes, I know they don't recommend cow's milk until a year - I decided to start a bit early as he has done really well with dairy products, and eats regular foods great) - and then at the same time - I can start cutting back on the pumping sessions (maybe 4 a day - 2x at work instead of 3)...

I only do 10 minute pump sessions now - I could cut back the 10 minute sessions to 7 or 8, and then see about quitting cold turkey after that...

So - back to my question - 2 weeks is a good transition period???

-erin- · #5 November 22nd, 2011, 07:59 AM

It probably depends on your kid. I dont think Juliet would have noticed or cared if I just changed her up to cow's milk. I think what I did was for a couple days she got 2 breastmilk bottles, 1 cow milk, then 2 cow, 1 bm, then all cow's milk.

And just as a PSA, once he's switched over to all cow's milk, make sure you talk to the dr about the max amount of milk he should get a day. Most suggest 16-24oz and try to make sure he eats well with other foods. The reason being cow's milk is not high in iron and some kids will drink too much milk and not eat anything else and it can lead to anemia.

Jennyt13 · #6 November 28th, 2011, 09:34 AM

Thanks Erin! Michael eats meals really well, and doesn't take any more than 24 ounces of breast milk right now - that is why I think he could do well on cow's milk a little early. But I'll be sure to talk to the doc at his one year appointment! I kind of have a feeling Michael will just take what I give him without hesitation. I've started putting breastmilk in a sippy once in a while too - so that he can get used to that.

I just cut out a pumping session at work today. Used to be 8:30, 11:30, and 2:30. Now I'm trying 10:00 and 2:00 - lets see how it goes!

Since I only nurse 1x a day - I'm really ready to be done with all this pumping!!!