the easiest way to begin weaning a 20mo - advice please!

[chocolatepuff]

hi there

my 20mo dd is bf'ed but i would like to stop over the next few months (actually, i need to stop rather than want to, due to the medication i am taking, but thats by the by)

i have tried giving her cows milk, goats milk, formula (that toddler+ stuff) soya milk, even chocolate milk, all at varying degrees, and she's not bothered, she has never liked drinking milk.
i still kind of feed on demand, but i'd say she generally has a bit in the morning, and then a feed before bed, and we also co-sleep so she feeds in the night too. I know its all for comfort and i feel so bad taking it away from her, i was just wondering if anyone had any tips or words of wisdom for me?!

thank you's..

I'd tackle the night feeds first. I used Jay Gordon's method. Then the morning feed next, tackle by getting up as soon as awake, distraction and then breakfast alongside milk in a cup. Bedtime will be the harder one. Is there somebody else who can do milk in a cup (warm, snuggled up in pyjamas) and see if that works?

But the night feeds first.

Do you HAVE to stop. Just getting clear on whether your medication is definitely not compatible or whether you're ready to stop anyway (which is fine).

You've done marvellously btw.

Thank you ShowOfHands! I'll investigate Jay Gordon's method..
DP can give the bedtime feed, although I'm sure there will be tears!

Well, I do have to stop really. Have been on antidepressants for about a year, the doctor said it was fine to take them for a year and bfeed. I tried to come off them last summer, but had to start taking them again after a couple of months.

Not to push you to continue if you don't want to, but have you contacted the BfN Drugs in Breastmilk Helpline?

It seems strange to me that it would be fine for you to feed for a year (when you would presumably be feeding more frequently) and it then suddenly not be ok after this time period. Doctors are notoriously poorly informed when it comes to bf knowledge and even more ill informed when it come to drugs in bf. It is not really their fault as there is often very little information about medication and breastfeeding.

The BfN's drugs support service is staffed by qualified, knowledgable pharmacists and they would be better placed to give you the exact information.

thats really helpful thank you MummyBerryJuice, I'll give them a call. To be honest the doctor admitted not knowing what the effects are longterm, but they are 'considered' safe for short term use, and she described short term as a year on the drugs.

Ring the BfN helpline. Because then you go into it fully armed with knowledge of the choices available to you.

No reason not to stop if it's your free decision, but stopping bfing is sometimes a bit emotionally draining and if your meds are for existing depression, then there might be some argument for not making decisions that might exacerbate any negative feelings based on one GPs best guess.

glad to help. Good luck.

(and please keep us updated)

yeah thats true, i defo need to get some more knowledge about it before i make a decision. thanks again ladies