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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

How do I stop breastfeeding at 8 months?

9 replies

CheeseAlways · 30/05/2023 15:35

Hi, really looking for advice or others who have been in this situation.
I have an almost 8 month old who is EBF and I want/need to stop breastfeeding. I have a night away soon and am going back to work full time in July. Followed by a week away in August when he will be 10.5 months. Plus I’m just feeling ready to stop.
He takes a bottle from others but just not really from me! Will drink a few ml’s fine but never a full feed and then starts crying for boob.
most things I’ve read say to drop a feed every few days but that isn’t really working when I’m the one home with him on mat leave every day. Has anyone gone cold turkey? Or any other suggestions??? Please no judgment / advice about continuing to feed as I’m set on my decision.

OP posts:
ploopypleepy · 30/05/2023 15:44

Following with interest as I'm in a similar situation

PotatoCrossroads · 30/05/2023 18:33

Have you tried offering it in a different cup? Maybe in the high chair. So your not replacing boob with bottle but just offering a different drink.

SiouxsieSiouxStiletto · 30/05/2023 18:34

Absolutely no judgement from me. BFing should stop when you feel like you've had enough.

Do you have a DP/DH? Could they do the bedtime, including a bottle and you just go out for a few evenings?

Don't worry about how much formula they're taking yet either.

BF babies take on average 25 floz/740 mls a day. Which works out at roughly 1floz/30 ml and hour. So if you can get him to take 2 floz/60 ml, you are doing extremely well.

Original poster
CheeseAlways · 30/05/2023 18:56

Yes so I’m out tomorrow night! Will see how it goes. Interesting re the amounts as my first was taking down like 200ml bottles 😂

I guess I’m more concerned about how to completely wean. He’ll take it from my DH so that doesn’t seem to be a problem. It’s more the daytime when it’s only me around that he wants boob and I don’t know what to do. Do I just hold out?

OP posts:
SiouxsieSiouxStiletto · 30/05/2023 20:51

I guess I’m more concerned about how to completely wean. He’ll take it from my DH so that doesn’t seem to be a problem. It’s more the daytime when it’s only me around that he wants boob and I don’t know what to do. Do I just hold out?

Id start with the bottles when DH is around, so get him to the bedtime bottle for a few nights, then get him to get up and give LO breakfast and a cup of milk.

Once you've cracked those, come back to us Wink

rachrose8 · 30/05/2023 21:21

Hello,
I breastfed my 3 children. With my last child when I decided to stop feeding, although most of the time I’d fed on demand, shortly before I was going to stop I was more regimented in my timings (e.g. 10 mins per feed for a few days) then cut back a minute a feed so the process took place gradually which was great for me and my daughter.

Tiredandstressedmum · 26/09/2023 14:09

How did it work out for you? In a similar position now

Original poster
CheeseAlways · 26/09/2023 18:27

So I went back to work around 9.5 months and then had a week away at 10.5 months and the time away I think really helped. Basically it was bottle or no milk but also he was a pretty good eater with normal food so I was never worried about starving. Also they are resilient little things and honestly won’t starve themselves! I found it was gradual acceptance of the bottle but persistence is key - even though I know it’s easier to just offer the boob! Now completely on bottles and I stopped breastfeeding at 10.5 months. Good luck!

OP posts:
Tiredandstressedmum · 26/09/2023 21:06

CheeseAlways · 26/09/2023 18:27

So I went back to work around 9.5 months and then had a week away at 10.5 months and the time away I think really helped. Basically it was bottle or no milk but also he was a pretty good eater with normal food so I was never worried about starving. Also they are resilient little things and honestly won’t starve themselves! I found it was gradual acceptance of the bottle but persistence is key - even though I know it’s easier to just offer the boob! Now completely on bottles and I stopped breastfeeding at 10.5 months. Good luck!

Thanks for the reply you've given me hope

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