Need help weening 6 month old son off breast.?

Question

Our 6 month old is not trying to get off the breast for feeding. We have tried many methods to get him off, but he seems to not like the smell of formula and refuses to take the bottle, what can we do, don't need any sarcasim, we need advice. Thanks

Answer 1

Firstly at 6 months he is old enough for a sippy cup, why start a bottle habit?

Secondly of course your baby isn't trying to get off the breast! He's 6 months old!!!!

Answer 2

We had this problem. You may be stuck with the breast for a while more.

Also, maybe it would be beneficial for the baby to have your wife pump breast milk, and give that in the bottle, to help with the transition. Then, half formula and half breast milk and then finally to formula.

It also may help to try this on a weekend. You get up with the baby, and do the bottle of breast milk. Have mom tell baby bye bye, then you do the lunch bottle....if the baby doesn't smell mama and the milk it is easier for them to go from the boob to the bottle.

Once the baby sees how fast the milk comes from the bottle, it will be an easy transition, esp when the baby is hungry.

This is tough, and it may just be that you will need to hang on a little longer. I have also heard some grandma's say -- bring me the baby and the formula, when she/he gets hungry she/he will eat. If that is an option for you maybe it will help.

Good luck!

Answer 3

here's what I did...
the FIRST feeding of the day was a bottle. He was so hungry that he would give in and take it. Don't think he will starve if he misses a meal out of protesting, but do not breast feed for that first feeding, make him take the bottle or nothing else until the next feeding time. After a few days of this he was more comefortable with the bottle and I was able to substitute it during other feedings and my son was done breastfeeding all together in 1 week.

Answer 4

Hi. I nursed my daughter for almost 3 years. It was the most rewarding time of my life and she is "the" most healthiest child. If I may ask, why are you trying to stop nursing after 6 months? If he doesn't like the traditional formulas, there are many alternatives, look in your local health food store. ie: tigers milk. Also, instead of a bottle, try a sippy cup. Did you think about pumping? Then you can put it in the bottles. Just some thoughts. Also, try going to your local hospital and talking with a lactation specialist or your local le leche legue. Good luck.

Answer 5

Try the Playtex bottles with the big nipples (it will say on the box "Just like a breast"). My sons only like these bottles when I weened them. Then try it when he's most hungry. Mix formula with a little breast milk at first and than gradually reduce the breast milk.

Answer 6

Have you tried pumping the breast milk into a bottle? If you can get him to take the bottle with breastmilk instead of formula, it should make it easier to switch to the formula after he is used to the bottle.

Answer 7

My children were the same way. One quit breast milk at 4 1/2 years and the other at 5 1/2 years. I started weaning them a year before they actually quit. They are normal functioning preteens, so don't worry.

Answer 8

who's doing the formula feeding? babies can smell their mother's breastmilk, so if she is giving him the bottle he may not take it from her. why don't u try feeding him and see what happens.

try a sippy cup or a sports bottle.

try going about it in phrases instead of cold turkey.

Answer 9

They usually wean when they are ready. There is no need to rush the weaning process. The longer you breast feed the better it is for the baby. If possible i would try to breast feed until your child is 1 yr old.

Answer 10

Contact his pediatrician and he will advise you.