How to gradually start weaning 1-year off breast milk?

[esgill]

My baby is 1 this week and breastfed. She hardly likes food. She tries a bit of what we’re having and takes about 1-2 sachets of purée a day but for the most part turns her nose up at food. She’ll have days where she just wants milk and maybe a few pieces of cucumber to chew on.

I like the connection we have but it’s really getting me down being her main source of nutrition and not being able to get away for more than 2-3 hours max — and leaving my husband in a tricky situation. It also means no babysitters. She doesn’t take milk in a bottle.

Now her first birthday is coming up I’m wondering how to gradually seize back some independence without her feeling I’m abandoning her. She feeds to sleep — also falls asleep in the carrier, pram or car but not while just lying down stationary.

Any tips for transitioning away from the breast gently?

Could your DH take over breakfast? So he takes her downstairs and offers breakfast whilst you stay upstairs and get ready for the day?

Are you thinking of might weaning too?

Thanks yeah gradually but I just want to know how to do it as at the moment, I feel like her meals and snacks and often (especially if she’s tired, teething or wants comfort) she’ll say no to food and wants milk. I’m nervous if I leave them for longer my husband will have a very hard 3-4 hours of her crying non-stop. Right now, if she wakes up for milk she settles shortly after getting it but cries her eyes out if it doesn’t appear.

My 16 month old often skips meals in preference for boob. It's fine if they're getting a balanced diet over a week. It is a separate issue to not being able to be settled with your husband. If I'm not around, baby will happily have solids or expressed milk. If you want to you can try "don't offer don't refuse" but the gentlest thing to do is remove yourself at times you know baby is most likely to want boob instead of a meal, perhaps a couple of times a week. You could go out for a walk when it's lunchtime on a weekend or have baby see you leave the house in the morning and then be offered breakfast etc.

What does your husband do to promote their bond and make baby feel safe and connected?