how do I wean from BF

[lee782]

I have 6 month old ds and need advise on how to wean from bf? ds has started on solids and need help on how to stop bf as I will soon be going back to work :(

ds point blank refuses to take a bottle so will try a cup, but need help on when and where to start.

Also want to stop bf at night but don't know which to tackle first

I wish I had some advice for you. My first son did this all by himself but my second, currently 8 months old, is refusing bottles and solids. I go back to work in 6 weeks and would rather have him established with bottles and baby porridge etc than "starve" him into it by force. So I am hoping you get some great help here that I can just borrow...

First, you don't have to stop bf completely when you go back to work - you can still feed him morning and evenings if you want. My DS took a bottle when tiny, then refused it around 3 1/2 months, then took it again, then refused it point blank again around 5 months. There are various suggestions around MN and the internet including getting someone else to give the bottle when you're out of the house, trying different brands of bottle (NUK eventually worked for us), trying Doidy cups... It's really stressful though, so sympathy.

Midnightsun, with regard to solids, have you checked out the information in the weaning section about baby led weaning? If your son doesn't like baby porridge / dislikes being spoon fed he might possibly find finger foods more fun. Or yoghurt is often popular...

don't have anyone to help as DH at work all day and family live in Scotland so will have to do it alone...

Maybe I am being silly but what is a Doidy cup?

Also any suggestions on what feed to try dropping first? And how long do I try to give the bottle for while he cries for a BF and finally do I then give in and BF or do I not give him anything at all?

Can you tell I am a first time mum lol

you don*t need to stop. I started working again a few months ago when dd was 9 months old.
I bf her in the mornings and evenings/nights and during the day in nursery she gets food and water and has about one bottle of formula a day (well zippy cup of formula). she is doing really well.

doidy cup

need to start him drinking from a cup and all he does at the mo in wing the cup around the kitchen....

have a couple of months to sort it out tho as not bak to work till Jan.

hopefully by then he will take a cup..he is not too keen on the taste of formula though :(

will still BF morning and night, just need to sort out day time.

I was worried as well, dd wouldnt take formula when I am around (and why should she when there is b-milk). nursery was very cool about it, she wasnt the first like this. it took her about a week to settle and she is absolutely fine.

Haven't got any advice really. DC1 never took a bottle and just waited till I got home and fed him at about 5ish after his tea and again before bed. I also fed him first thing in the morning. DC2 would take a bottle but only with a spout, not a teat, but again I kept on bfing after returning to work as this gave me some lovely cuddly time with the DC after returning home.

Second the advice on BLW, its just so much easier.

Is there anyway you can extend your Mat Leave so that you aren't returning at the same time as starting weaning?