How do I give up breast feeding?

[Sunflower999]

DD has just turned 1 and although I have loved feeding her I feel its time to start weaning her off boob. I tried about six weeks ago first with formula and then cows milk in various different sippy cups/trainer cups. She is very capable of drinking water out of sippy cups etc but she just pushes away the formula/cows milk and won't drink it.
I did the same with DS when he was about 10 months, before a boob feed I started gving him formula, he seemed fine with that and gradually I fed him less and less without any trauma or upset, but DD doesn't seem so keen! When she wants milk she'll crawl up to me, unzip my top and almost pull my boob out. I'd like to gently wean her off rather than go cold turkey which would upset her. I have tried other people giving her milk in a sippy cup but that hasn't worked so far. Any suggestions? x

[CosyPinkBlanket]

Sorry I don't but I'm in the same boat as you. My dd has just turned 1 and I'm trying unsuccessfully to wean her. She's not too bad through the day (and she goes to nursery three days a week) but at night she likes to feed to sleep and she still wakes through the night to feed too. Sorry for not having any advice but I'll be watching your post with interest! x

[nursy1]

Keep a diary for a few days. There is usually a pattern. Drop one feed at a time - stabilise for a week then concentrate on dropping another.
To make it work keep really really busy. Don't sit down. Lots of interesting things to do no time for feed
The very last feed to drop is almost always the last one at night. It's the most difficult one but tbh I think it's such a useful way to handle bedtime so you have to weigh that up.

[CosyPinkBlanket]

The last feed of the day is the one I'm struggling to give up. Well, the one my dd is refusing to give up! I may just need to stop doing bed time and let her dad do it and if she wakes through the night, just offer a drink of water. I can't bear the crying though - she's gets so upset.

[Sunflower999]

Thank you! We don't have a feeding routine really, its just as and when, although on holiday I got into the bad habit of giving her boob once she was in her car seat before we set off. Wish I hadn't as now there's huge fuss without boob so I usually give in to keep her quiet. And bath time is a big feeding fest as well. I should probably get her dad to do her bath, but she's teething and upset at the moment so probably not the best time to start that. Yes keeping busy so she's distracted, I'd just feel better if she'd drink some cows milk instead so I know she's getting some! x

[BentleyBelly]

Could you go out for a couple of bathtime/bedtimes in a row? Meet people for dinner, cinema or something. I found my dd was much better when I wasn't in the house. How do you feed when she is in a car seat? you must have to contort yourself into a very uncomfortable position....I would just say a firm no and stick to it in that instance.