Is it better to cut down one breastfeed at a time?

Question

Since she is exclusively on breastmilk, is it better to start with cutting out one feed at a time or completely start to give her my exprssed milk from the bottle at each feed? As mentioned she is 9 months old. Which option will give me a higher success rate?

Answer 1

Congratulations on feeding your baby exclusively on breastmilk for this long; I know it can be hard in the face of a society that pushes weaning from the breast so quickly and early.

At 9 months of age, you could try using a sippy cup instead of a bottle. For a baby who has never had a bottle (not sure if this is your situation or not), you may have to use the sippy cup since your baby is not accustomed to a bottle nipple (they work differently than yours!).

If you are trying to wean from the breast at this age, he will have to switch to formula (not recommended), since he can't have cow's milk until one year of age.

If you are starting solids, your baby will likely lose interest in breastfeeding so often and will probably move gradually to nurse only before naps and bedtime. This is a very natural and gradual way to reduce nursing and one which will help prevent engorgement and psychological stress for both of you.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Are you talking about weening her from breast to bottle of formula or cow's milk? If it's formula then start off by offering the bottle at the least liked breast feeding of the day (typically mid morning or mid afternoon) and replacing it with a bottle. Go very slowly and replace one breast feeding with a bottle every week or two. Don't try to take away the baby's favorite times to nurse, like the first one in the morning or the last one at night, those should be the last to go.

If you are talking weening to cow's milk, then you have to wait until your child is at least 1 year of age.

I would not make the baby go "cold turkey" from the breast, it will only cause the baby stress and emotional discomfort.

Ideally it's best to let the child self-wean themselves from the breast, so you might want to take the lead from your child.

Answer 3

I breastfed my son for 6 months and when I had to go back to work I started to feed a couple of ounces of formula at a time. He done pretty well but had a little trouble with the first few bottles because he had never had anything but but breast milk. I think a slow approach to this situation is best. Good luck.

Answer 4

YES the best way to wean for baby and mother is by cutting out one feeding at a time starting with the feed that she seams to need the least. This is less tramatic for the baby and helps to prevent engorment and infection in the mother. But at 9 months it is early to be weaning a baby it would be better if you could wait until she is at least a year old and ideally you should allow the baby to self wean.

Answer 5

Cut out one feeding at a time. You can offer your expressed milk until she takes the bottle well. by taking out one feeding at a time it will cause less pain and engorgement for you. Good luck

Answer 6

Try to cut out one feeding at a time or try to space the feedings out a little longer, thereby cutting out a feeding. I found it easiest on the baby to cut out a late afternoon feeding first.