I need advice on partial weaning

[hester]

dd is 10 months and still bf. She has a big feed in the morning, then smaller feeds every three hours or so through the day. She is also allergic to dairy so cannot take formula or cows' milk. I am going back to work in five weeks so have been advised to continue bf her morning and night but only give water and juice during the day.

So I need to partially wean. I'm dreading it - she LOVES bf and so do I; I don't think either of us will find this easy. Has anyone got any advice about this? Is it easier for her to go cold turkey between 8am and 6pm, or to gradually cut down? Also, will this risk my milk drying up? Should I start pumping in the day (horrors) in order to keep up my supply?

At this stage,your supply will easily keep up with am and pm feeds.
She will be fine with water in the day.

I did this from 7 month (returned to work f/t) until dd was 21/2.

Also fedallday at w/ends.
Workedfine.

Why have you been advised to only give water during the day? You could give EBM if you wanted. Breastfeed as you normally would on the days you are off. Express at work to be comfortable and you can leave that to be given from a cup or bottle. You do not need to do less feeding if you don't want to.

I think that you should carry on feeding her as much as you and she want.
I can't think of any reason why you should only give her morning and evening feeds.
You could also express now and build up a supply if she'll take it frm a bottle or cup so that she can have some during the day

Hi Hester!

Have you thought about expressing at work, is that possible at all?

I was v worried about going back to work and breastfeeding. However, I have managed to work out with my employers that I can express at work and store the milk.

Our routine goes like this:

b.feed in the morning from one side
express from the other approx 4oz for the days use, along with :
lunch - express another 5oz
b.feed at night, plus a late night feed.

We did have a b.feed at hometime but she's dropped this one herself and just has a bit of water between 5:00 & 7:00

It is working for us. Worth a try?

BTW - at 11months (which your DD will be when you go back to work), my babies had solids and water/juice when I wasn't there. When I was home I fed as much as they wanted.

doh, I'm such a slow typer - nobody had replied when I started to type!

Do you know, mears and hairy, I have absolutely no idea why the dietician suggested water only in the day. I shall ask her at the next appointment. Now I think about it, she was rather down on the whole idea of continuing bf - said something like, 'You don't want a toddler pulling up your shirt, do you?' Actually, it wouldn't bother me at all

My one reservation with expressing is that I've never been very good at it. Worked and worked at it for a number of weeks earlier on (when she was about 5 months) but never got more than a couple of ounces. Is it worth me trying again now? Is there anyway I can get more productive?

If I do try to wean during day, what is the best way to cope with small milk-fiend tugging at my bra and licking my cleavage? Distraction?

sorry for for many questions. Really appreciate your help.

Maybe she just meant that baby would be fine without breastmilk in day,if that suits you??

Still ridiculous of her to be making negative comments.

Express if you're up to it though!

I am much more effecient at expressing now dd is nearly 11 months than at 4/5 months when I first started.
You still have a few weeks before you go back to work - express and freeze to build up a supply and always be ahead of yourself.

Hi Elf, how are you doing?

Some great advice here - thanks so much, everyone. I am going to dust off my breastpump in the morning and give it another bash. Would be so happy to go on bf for a few months at least.

You might get on better hand expressing. I found it so much faster than using a pump - and got more milk too.

hand expressing

Also meant to say that don't expect to get a full feed at once. If 2 oz is all you get at a time then that is fine. Collect that and express again later - even the next day. I kept milk in the fridge for up to 48 hours then froze it in batches of 4oz and 6oz. Every little bit counts. I then found I expressed more at work because I had missed feeds altogether.

It's never occurred to me to try hand expressing - I'll definitely give it a go. Thanks so much, mears.

I'm fine thanks Hester, how are you?
Hard to believe they're coming up to a year old isnt it!
Like Mears I use to express at stages in the day and freeze in larger quantities, so maybe I'd get 1oz during one attempt, then a 2oz etc and I'd just freeze as a 4oz or 6oz batch.
The quantity of milk dd is drinking while I am away from her has dwindled to about 6-10oz depending on her mood, but at least I know she's getting some milk she enjoys.
It's difficult sitting in my lunch expressing and wishing I could just go and b.feed her but it makes the b.feeds we do together a bit more special.

Why do anything now? You will presumably be trying out your childcare before you go back to work, so see how it goes. NO need to say no to your baby now. If she isn't with you she can't pull up your shirt can she? Maybe stop offering in teh run up to going back to work, but don't let it spoil your last weeks at home with your dd. Enjoy it. Cross your bridges when you come to them.