From breast milk to cows milk

[shirleycat1]

DS is coming up to 11 months and I am planning to stop breastfeeding soon. He's down to 2 feeds a day now, morning and night. He is BLWed and eats really well, 3 meals and 2 snacks.

I'm going to go straight on to cows milk from a cup. He has little sips of water from a cup but never has loads so I'm a bit nervous that I'm not going to be able to get him to drink it. Does it need to be warmed up? Do I give him a cup of cows milk when I usually feed him, so first thing, or should we get up and go straight to breakfast? And what about bed time? Drinking from a cup can be a bit messy so not ideal before bed.

Sorry, lots of questions but I'm just a bit confused. I've posted this on the weaning branch as well.

Thanks in advance for any help...

I too Bf exclusively for a year and then weaned straight onto cow's milk. Personally, I offered cups (sippy cups if necessary) of body temperature milk, to be drunk on my knee, first thing in the morning and just before bed. I wanted to replace the BFing as closely as possible to make the weaning easier. The volume they drank was really small in the beginning, but it did gradually increase. You really just need to follow your instinct and go with what suits your own child.

Hi Shirleycat

I'm in the same boat and posted a message last week on this branch so have a look at the responses I received as they are v helpful.

My little one is 11 months' this week and on morning and evening feeds. I'm not convinced that he gets a huge amount as I'm 14 weeks' pregnant so my supply seems to have dropped off. I'm going to drop the morning feed this week and have my hubby take him straight down for brekkie. After a week or two we'll drop the evening feed (don't want to get engorged) and my hubby will have to put him to bed with a beaker of milk. I think this will be the more difficult as a breastfeed has always been part of his bedtime routine.

Good luck - be interested to hear how you get on.