Help to stop!

[Suzysooz]

Hi everyone,
My dd is now 11 months. I always said I would only b/f for 6 months and have gone waaay beyond that. Now is the time I really want to stop, for lots of mainly selfish reasons, namely:

Going back to work next month
Have been reverting to night feeds to get dd back to sleep which means she now wakes for feeds at 12 and 3am
Want my body back for me

See, I told you I was selfish!

DD currently has 2 feeds a day, as I have knocked the 12.00 one on the head amidst much protestation and she is still currently aking wanting it. She has milk around 3-4am and then before bed about 7.30. She will not take expressed, cows or formula milk from a bottle or a cup. I have even tried adding chocolate powder, honey, and strawberry flavouring in the hope I could dilute it down until she was just drinking milk.I know this is not advisable but I am desparate.

Has anyone ever known this? She will be thirsty and will take a few glugs until she realises what it is and it all comes back out again and we have hysterics.

My HV advised to stop the feeds and just try and top her up with lots of cheese yoghurt etc, but I am not happy to do that as I feel that she needs more than this.

Any thoughts?

[Suzysooz]

Ooops does that mean I am alone?

[suzi2]

My DS stopped breastfeeding about a month ago at 11.5 months. He started biting at the beginning of feeds and I found no route to continue. He won't take ANY other milk in any form. He does happily drink water.

I have been through every option I think and have spoken to various HVs, a GP and mumsnetters. The conclusion is that to keep his calcium up with yogurt and cheese. Someone posted me some values of calcium in things over on the weaning forum... I'll see if I can dig it out.

Probably far from ideal but the only option for us. However, if you are still breastfeeding you could keep going until you find a solution...?

[USAUKMum]

Hi,
Sounds just like my DD & DS. I fed both for about 15 mths. Both refused to drink any sort of milk. Though DD would drink it at nursery & childminders (I had a mix care arrangement), so that is always a hope for you. Though gave up work after DS so this didn't work for him. DD now 5, finally drinks milk in my presence. DS (2) will occasionally. Have to agree with everyone that yogurt, cheese, etc will keep his calcium up. Some cereals even have high calcium content.

See here for calcium in some foods Calcium requirements

Please note that the requirement at the top is for the USDA, the UK requirement is about half this for each age group. Don't know why.

[DettaJnr]

I know what you mean. I am trying to give up with my (almost) 1 year old DD2 but she has a cows milk/product intolerance and ? goats intolerance also. So cheese and yogurts are not an option and I am not sure about giving her soya with all the bad press it has been given.
Every time I miss out a feed she seems to find a way to get one later on! I don't really have any advice but thought I'd let you know that you are not alone. Good luck!

[Suzysooz]

Is it just the calcium she needs then or is it other stuff in milk too as they say that a baby needs a pint a day? My sis bf her kids to nearly 3, nothing wrong in that, but I don't fancy it, so not much advice from home. Feel like complete idiot novice

[moondog]

Suzy,my ds self weaned at 11 months.He has never had any other sort of milk (feel weird about it)but is thriving at 25 months on lots of youghurt and cheese.

[Suzysooz]

Ok, so Im panicking?! I think I just have this notion in my head that babies need milk. Shes recently dropped from 25th to 9th centile so a bit afraid of upsetting the applecart...

[moondog]

They don't really need milk {another animal's that is. Completefallacy.}

[USAUKMum]

Mine also thriving without (much) milk. DD is 5, DS is 2 and DS is already 91cm (on the 90th centile for height). DD is 116cm, which puts her at 75centile for height.