BF weaning

[LaCiccolina]

Hey, DD is 8.5mths. We are doing quite well with the eating side of things and are up to 3meals a day. Im quite happy with how this side is going. Im less sure of myself with drinking though. We are still BFing pretty much as we were. Hearing early on not to drop a feed I made extra effort to keep all going but now Im starting to think I need to switch to a water or juice too?

Am I supposed to be moving from BF to bottle then to water/juices? This seems a faff...? I thought Id go for changing the lunch drink to a juice or something....does anyone have any thoughts of tips please?

Thanks a lot

[greeneone12]

When do you offer water at the moment?

[shuckleberryfinn]

buy a cup (i like doidy cup) and offer it with meals? personally I wouldn't waste money on juice if your LO will take water.

[Seona1973]

offer a cup of water with meals. There is no need to switch to a bottle as a cup would do just as well. If you want to continue with bf then do that too.

[LaCiccolina]

Well I go back to work at jan and she is 12 mths in dec. I don't envisage going past that birthday really....

Also I want to be the one teaching cups/drinks rather than a nursery / other. I have tried juice once which she tried out of a Phillips avent sippy lid thing. I just haven't quite got my head on with drinks feeling some pressure to continue with bf when actually I'd like to wean her totally myself while I'm prime carer....

So, offer water in a cup with all meals you think? 3 times and bf early morning and evenings/night?

Advice on bf weaning seems limited (all seems aimed at bottles) or I've not looked in the right places hence asking here....

[LaCiccolina]

What water do I use? Tap? Boiled first or ok as is? Or b

[LaCiccolina]

Or bottled mineral water?

[RitaMorgan]

I wouldn't give juice, it's very sugary.

You can just giver her tap water - offering a cup of water with meals.

If you want to stop bfing before 12 months then she will need formula - I would go straight to a cup rather than bottles but that's up to you. You can swap breastfeeds for formula feeds, she'll need around 20oz a day I think. At 12 months she can have full fat cow's milk instead, around 12oz a day (those milk amounts can include cheese, yoghurt and milk in food).

[LaCiccolina]

Thanks that's helpful! I'm happy to bf but just wanted to know how to slow it down and wean as nothing really says....

[threefeethighandrising]

Do you know that you (probably) don't need to express milk at work to carry on BFing?

I thought you had to, and I thought it would be an immense faff, but actually it turned out that I could still BF in the morning and evening, while being out of the house for 10 hours in the day, and my supply was fine.

Just thought I'd mention it in case it helps.

[threefeethighandrising]

Also this is a good site for advice to do with BFing. It's got stuff on weaning.

//www.kellymom.com

HTH