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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Toddler and teats!

7 replies

LucySatsuma · 28/11/2012 11:30

Hello - i hope you don't all think I am stupid but recently my 12 month old decided he'd had enough of breastfeeding which was fine, I assumed he'd be happy to drink cow's milk but didn't seem very keen so I didn't force it. He hadn't drunk from a bottle since he was about 4 months, he used to have expressed breastmilk in the evenings when he was colicky, I just breastfed him ever since and no bottles or formula.

I have given him the option of milk at bedtime a few times recently as it seemed strange not to offer him a little something before he went to sleep. He has now remembered how much he loves milk, and he has a lovely bottle of warm milk to calm him after his bath.

The thing I am wondering about is the teats...the fastest flowing I have is number 2 (avent), I know there are other sizes which are suited to older babies. He didn't struggle with the 2 or get cross, quite the opposite. I am wondering whether to just stick to what we have or is there any benefit to him having a bigger size? it does feel a bit strange and regressive giving him a bottle now he drinks water happily from a cup in the daytime but it also feels nice that i can give him a comforting drink at the end of the day. Usually I am happy trusting my instincts but I wondered if anyone had any advice or thoughts on this one, thank you! x

OP posts:
JiltedJohnsJulie · 28/11/2012 13:59

Lucy did you know that bottles aren't recommended after 12 months? Instead of stressing about the bottle, what about using a cup or beaker?

If you've stopped bfing the recommend amount of cows milk is 300ml a day between 12 and 24 months.

If you want to contine with the bottles, how about using a spout instead of a teat?

LucySatsuma · 28/11/2012 14:16

Hmm I wondered if that might be the case....i will try him with a cup tonight and see how that goes down, it did feel a bit weird giving him a bottle. I was such a die hard breastfeeder, i have forgotten all about bottle etiquette!

OP posts:
JiltedJohnsJulie · 28/11/2012 19:36

Have you also considered that it might be a nursing strike? If you are not ready to stop it might be worth speaking to a BFC on one of the helplines.

5madthings · 28/11/2012 19:41

one bottle before bed as long as yoi clean his teeth aftrtwards is fine :)

sucking is a natural comfort so.if he is happy and you are happy then let him.have it as long as yoi.clesn his teeth.

i agree at his age it may be a nursing strike. are you happy to stop bfeeding? if you are thats fine, if not kellymom has good stugf on nursing strikes and how to encourage your baby to nurse again :)

LittleMilla · 28/11/2012 19:46

I give my 18 mo a bottle of milk before bed and like your ds, he has water from a cup in the day. I used a sharp knife to criss cross the teat so the milk comes out quicker.

I bf until he was 8 months. I know the advice is for no bottles after 12 mo but have decided to go with my instincts on this one. It's about 10 mins per day and he cleans his teeth twice day (bit obsessed Wink) so no ishoos I can foresee!

LucySatsuma · 29/11/2012 11:14

thanks all - he definitely doesn't want to breastfeed anymore, he refused it several days in a row, pushed it away, bit me, screwed up his nose even though i kept offering, he knows his own mind!

i am going to go with my instincts and give him one bottle before bed. He wasn't interested last night though, only wanted a book!

OP posts:
JiltedJohnsJulie · 29/11/2012 19:42

As long as he is getting his 300 ml a day a book is fine before bed Smile

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