Getting milk into 10mo DS - desperate to give up BFing

[WibblyPigRocks]

I feel like I'm always posting about stuff relating to this, so sorry to those of you who have read me whinging about this before, but things aren't getting any better and I'm getting more upset about it.

DS (10mo) has been BF since birth and had solids since 5.5months. We thought he might have a dairy allergy (small rash) but a good appointment with an allergy paed about 6weeks/2 months ago led us to continue with dairy products. Before this appointment, DS had happily eaten a yoghurt when I was trying different products to test reaction, but now won't have more than a spoonful or two.

I make up porridge with formula for his breakfast, but he won't eat yoghurts or custard, although I continue to try. He will eat some cheesy things but that's all.

I am so desperate to give up BFing by a year, I can't tell you. Since he was 6mo, I've wanted to stop. There's no specific reason, but it really is making me unhappy now and I don't know what to do.

Please don't post asking me why I want to give up, or anything else that will make me feel more guilty about wanting to give up. I know that I should just continue BFing but I just can't. I am proud to have done it for so long and I know how good BFing is, but surely a year is good enough?

So, how the hell can I get more milk into him?

Will he drink formula? You could try offering it in a cup. DD is 9mo and will only drink her formula from her doidy cup (I bf mornings and evenings).

Gosh, you've done fantastically, absolutely no reason to feel any guilt. Rather it should be pride!!! Is he eating regularly? My ds self weaned about this time and never had any milk or formula.Was fine on regular food.

tbh at 10 months I would be tempted to try him with warmed cows milk (in a bottle or cup)....if you are concerned re: vit D/iron intake then you could start him on vitamin drops (if he isnt already on them.)

...and dont feel guilty. You have done amazingly well to bf for this long if you have been unhappy. Well done.

Mookk - I will try the doidy cup - he will drink water from this, so that may be one way forwards.

moondog - thanks - he is eating quite well, do you think this could be enough? What about the recommendation for 350ml milk a day? If I ensure he has cheesy food and things like salmon, spinach etc (for calcium), will that provide all the dietary fats he needs as well? Will he start drinking more water to compensate for lack of fluids? He already suffers from constipation, poor love!!

Thanks again.

Sorry, just read your post, becaroo, thanks - will also look into vitamin drops.

Wibbly, he'll be fine. Really.
Remember alot of the world doesn't even eat dairy products but remember if it bothers you to think of milk in cheese, yoghurt, cereals, porridge and so on.

Stop worrying and congratulate yourself on a job well done!

Thank you - I really needed that x

My DD, now 2.7, has never really had any reasonable amount of milk. I did BF until 14 months but at 9 months I was desperate to give up and just couldn't because she couldn't or wouldn't. Somehow things got better, not sure how or why, and I was happy to carry on not long after that stage and she self-weaned at 14 months. She still doesn't eat much dairy stuff or drink much milk but she seems bouncingly healthy and average height etc although skinny (which I am too so it doesn't worry me). One thing that was good for us was tinned sardines or salmon with the bones in mashed up - really popular with DD in sarnies etc and v high in calcium. If he likes cheese, you're on a winner, just grate it into everything - stews, soups, pasta, rice, whatever!