weaning from the breast

[emmagee]

Second child so yuo'd think i'd know this one but...how/when do you wean them off the breast and onto a bottle. My baby is 7 months and I think that it might be time to think about it. My first baby was 6 months old when I went back to work part time so had to give up all but early morning and last thing, but now I am in two minds. Giving up completely feels a bit drastic (I still enjoy the closeness and comfort it gives him), but he is pretty resistant to bottles, so I think half and half won't work. As long as he thinks he can get milk from me I'm sure he'll avoid bottles - am tipping rather too much down the sink at the moment! What do you lot think?

Emmagee - this was discussed on other message boards but can't remember where. You don't need to wean to bottles as a 7 month can drink milk fine from a beaker. After 6 months things don't need to be steralised so its just a case of mixing up the formula. Your body will adapt fine to the reduced feeds and indeed it is a good idea to keep up the breastfeeding part time as this means your baby will benefit from the health benefits. Alternatively you could try expressing milk. He should drink OK from another container if you are not there as he will only associate the breastfeeds with you being there and when you are there you'll be wanting to give them anyway (does that make sense!) As I say there is probably more on this on other boards - perhaps the search facility will help.