giving up the morning feed... dd not happy about it! any tips?

[sjcmum]

DD was 1 2 weeks ago and I went back to work 3 weeks ago. Mornings have become a real rush on the days I work - so decided that I should cut out the morning breast feed. Trouble is she seems a bit upset about this - am I being mean?

Admittedly only day 4 of this - but she clings on to me and cries, and if I try to give her a cup of milk she just pushes it out of the way in disgust.

Seems I can distract her with breakfast - and that seems to cheer her up - but I'm worried that she won't be getting enough milk. Any suggestions for making this all less stressful?

At the moment still giving her a breastfeed before bed - but might have to give up for work reasons (plus not sure how I feel about breastfeeding a toddler... event though I really enjoy feeding her). Wary about giving up this remaining feed when she is still not sure about milk from a cup.

Don't want to give her bottles, as doesn't seem any point when she is this age. Using a basic Tommee Tippee cup... should I perhaps try a different type of cup? Any suggestions?

Sorry - rather a lot of witter and questions there - just feeling a bit unsure about what to do for the best at the moment.

[callmeovercautious]

I am worrying about this too, I go back soon and DD can take 30mins in the morning. She will drink from a cup but is not taking enough yet so was going to continue the Morning and pm feeds. As you say though it can be a rush!

I am thinking of trying new cups as well so will watch with interest! At least you know you are not alone

[kiskidee]

My dd at this age absolutely refused cow's milk and would only have it in readybrek or weetabix. sorry not the news you want to hear. Is she a good eater otherwise? Calcium is found in lots of other foods so going without cow's milk does not mean she will be calcium deficient.

I know what you mean about things being a rush in the morning when you have to go to work. DD is the same and at home we got around it by my dh making my breakfast while i gave dd her morning feed. I also find that having her in bed and letting her feed taht half hr before anyone really is going to get up means that she could get that feed over and done with before it is 'time' to get ready. Hope you can find a solution that everyone is at least partly happy with.

[sjcmum]

Thanks - good to know not the only one. She now seems happier if I don't offer her milk from a cup sitting in our bed, where she previously would have had a breastfeed - and is drinking at least a bit of milk from a cup along with her breakfast. Quite happy to have cows milk on her cereal too - seems to particularly enjoy sucking the milk out of shreddies!

Still slightly wary about dropping the evening feed until I feel she is drinking more.... got to go out next week though and won't be around for that.... think my dh might be in for a bit of a rough ride with her!

[lorisparkle]

I'm afraid I'm another 'glad to hear it is not just me' poster.

My lo is 14 months and I'm pg so I would like to wean him off bf altogether just in case anything happens (I was admitted 3 times in my last pg but am a bit of a worrier)

Anyway I've managed to stop the bed time feed which took 3 nights of tears but he is now sleeping for 10-11 hours on a good night was is miraculous for us. He drinks about half a tommee tippee cup before bed with a huge amount of coaxing.

Morning feeds are a nightmare though. He wakes at between 5 and 6am and the only thing that will settle him is a bf. I've tried cows milk from a tommee tippee cup and even different follow on milks. He will drink some cow's milk but none on a morning.

Not sure what to do next as I am too tired to cope with crying in the mornings and am going back to work after the summer holidays.


I'd be interested to hear anyone's progress and success!!

[livysmum]

ok I've seen this once on nanny 911 (american show, but with british nannies) try to let DD thow her tantrum with the cup, and the idea is if she really wants the milk she'll drink it. BUT you can't give in and when she wants all that attention from you just keep busying yourself and give her the cup. Nanny says there is no point in putting your child through all that if you're just going to give in everytime. You have to stick to it and stay positive or else the child picks up you anxioty and becomes more stressful. Maybe since shes one you can use praise and cheerful tone of voice to encourage her. I do that when DD who is going to be 1 next week takes a bite of food never tried b4 and she just smiles and laughs and thinks shes great for doing what she did.
Hope it helps!!
good luck!!