I want to wean my baby off the breast now but my 13 mth old is making it very difficult. I have reduced the number of feeds and give it only when she has to sleep. However her eating is not at all satisfactory. I give her cereals, egg, rice, fruits,veggies, soups, lentils etc. You name it. The problem is that she takes a few sips or few bites and walks off. Then no matter what I do I cannot make her eat it. I've been trying to get her to drink whole milk now as she has always rejected formula. That too she refuses. I tried flavouring milk too. I try giving her what she likes on a particular day but then too she will not have it more than very little. And next day she won't have. I'm told that breastfed babies are very fussy eaters. Now I am trying to wean her off and I find that it is affecting her weight. Please suggest what to do? Also she doesn't sleep without breastfeeding. And wakes up in between at night and cries. Again I have to breastfeed till she falls back to sleep. HELP!
2006-09-25 21:03:59 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
Breastmilk is the best food for children till 3 years but you don't feed a child only with breastmilk as children from 6 months they can take solid food. (train them with little tip quantities, liquidized type)
Hence try to feed solid food now, one year old can consume half quantity of solid food compared to mothers food. i.e. what mother takes, its half? Do you believe it. when they reach 2 years full quantity i.e. same quantify of monther's food.
When our boy was 8 months he started eating chicken? Egg, etc.
Even 7-up but I don't recommend 7-up for your child as there was reason for 7-up for our child.
Anyway in short, start feeding a child from 6:00 am in the morning in 2 hours. ie. morning little solid (chappatti,rice,etc) but the preparation should be better for child to eat, which is important, then fruit, fruit juice(home made), chappatti+chicken and rice (lunch time, include butter, etc) then good sleep of 2 to 2.30 hrs. then give water immediately after wake-up. then give fruit, later in the evening give solid food (2 hrs later) then give night food, afterward give fruit then bed. Give water frequently..
If you do the above, the child will not intend for breast-milk, but breast-milk should be given to child till 2.5 to 3 years of age? It is giving a confusion to you? This will help the child grow without much sickness, even when he/she is old!!!!!
If your child is not taking food:
Wake-up time should be 6:00am and start feeding after 15 minutes, then continue..with water, juice, etc. little little quantity, given them chance to play, etc.
Instead of giving ready-cooked foods from shop always feed home-made foods, that you eat, from your plate, also give them chance to eat with you.... while feeding sit in a chair, take child on your hand..let them watch some carton-etc. then slowly start feeding...which works... they will not know that they are earting !!! don't shout at them instead please them...
Read carefully as I was hurry make this lines.
Best of Luck
2006-09-25 21:58:08 · answer #1 · answered by SA-bic 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Proceed slowly, regardless of the age of your child. Experts advise that you not abruptly withhold your breast, which can be traumatic. A weekend away from your baby or toddler with your husband, for example, is not a good way to end the breastfeeding relationship. Try these methods instead:
Skip a feeding. Skip a feeding and see what happens. Offer a cup or bottle of milk instead. As a substitute you can use your own pumped milk, formula, or cows' milk (if your child is at least a year old). If you reduce feedings one at a time over a period of weeks your child will have time to adjust to the changes. Your milk supply will also diminish, without leaving your breasts engorged or giving you mastitis, a breast infection.
Shorten nursing time. Start by cutting the length of time your child is actually on the breast. If he usually nurses for five minutes, try three. Depending on his age, follow the feeding with a healthy snack such as unsweetened applesauce or a cup of milk or formula. (Note, however, that babies younger than 6 months may not be ready for solids.) Bedtime feedings may be harder to curb — they're usually the last to go.
Postpone and distract. Try postponing feedings if you're only nursing a couple of times a day. This method works well if you have an older child you can reason with. If your child asks for the breast, say you'll feed him later and distract him. Instead of nursing in the early evening, you could tell him to wait until bedtime.
2006-09-26 11:12:15 · answer #2 · answered by Ale 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is not true that breastfed babies are fussy eaters, it depends on the child.
It is normal for toddlers to eat very little at this age, just keep offering snacks all the time.
The book "the no-cry sleep solution for toddlers" might help with the night time stuff. Your daugter is still very young and needs soothing back to sleep, but you should be able to transition her away from nursing to sleep all the time.
You can try popping her off when she is drifting to sleep, and as she gets used to that remove her from the breast earlier and earlier... that way she is still getting what she needs without you resenting her. It should take a couple of weeks.
2006-09-26 04:25:38 · answer #3 · answered by sheila 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
According to my college class, breast feeding for extended periods, although inconvenient, is better for both the mom and the child. It reduces your chances for breast cancer as well as helping the child to develope better immunities and such. This probably isn't what you really wanted to hear but i thought i'd just put in my two senses.
well, there is an exception to every rule. my daughter was a cinch to wean, i dont even remember doing it and it was only 6 months ago. i just said, shes done now, and within a couple days, she was. doctors say that it can take up to 13 introductions of a food for your child to accept it. luckily, my daughter has her fathers stomach. in your case, patience is key, and it may just be worth it to continue breastfeeding for a while, but still keep introducing those foods
2006-09-26 23:57:07 · answer #4 · answered by shakiff 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are making a big mistake by not breast feeding your child.
For the well being of your baby it is all ways better that you breast feed your baby as long as you can.
Whatever your baby likes you give it to her never mind the quantity.
Do not force the food .
Babies are more whimsical than adults as for as food is concerned.
Best way to introduce food to a baby is to make her sit along with other family members during lunch and dinner.
Let her eat on her own .
Provide her with some attractive plate and spoon meant exclusively for her.
No doubt she will be messy initially but after some time your problem will get solved.
Take care
Your problem is nothing serious it will get solved on its own .
Have patience
2006-09-26 04:32:19 · answer #5 · answered by bhimi6787 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My baby was breast fed for almost 2 years . She too prefered this to get off to sleep and was not a big eater either.If she is tryng a little bit of food thats ok. Have you tried toddler milk instead of baby formula and buy a nice sippy cup. Try to keep her feeds to early morning and getting off to sleep. and then I think you might have to go cold turkey. I know that sounds mean but in the long run it's the only way. but keep feeding her as long as you both are happy with it good luck
2006-09-26 04:11:26 · answer #6 · answered by cino_bean 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would keep breastfeeding on demand for now. My daughter is the same age and still nurses very frequently. She eats okay on most days, but when she doesn't at least I know she's getting all that nourishment from my milk. Good luck.
2006-09-26 07:54:23 · answer #7 · answered by all_my_armour_falling_down 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
May be you found me "Blunt" but you your elf is problem for your Baby. She will eat whats so ever you give, but only things you need is passion and hard at heart. Generally if your baby will not take any thing you must be tryig a little tha again giving her a feeding. "SIMPLY DO NOT FEED". If some body will tell you to eat RAT, will you eat suddenally? Same is the case with your baby.
2006-09-26 05:54:51 · answer #8 · answered by Devoo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well, there is an exception to every rule. my daughter was a cinch to wean, i dont even remember doing it and it was only 6 months ago. i just said, shes done now, and within a couple days, she was. doctors say that it can take up to 13 introductions of a food for your child to accept it. luckily, my daughter has her fathers stomach. in your case, patience is key, and it may just be worth it to continue breastfeeding for a while, but still keep introducing those foods
2006-09-26 04:16:28 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
i sorry for that but look at the bright side your still breastfeeding which is good for babies up to 2 years.
This is hard but my wife and i were able to do it slowly to our son. He does'nt eat much before but he is ok now. just be patient and try to get hint on what food she'll take more of. anyway babies tastes varies in development and you still have 11 months to figure it out. Just hang in there and good luck.
2006-09-26 04:19:39 · answer #10 · answered by say_what!!! 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋