Questions about Weaning?

[Prettyskittle82]

Logan is 10 months old now. He will be 1 year old on May 21st. He doesn't nurse very much. I only nurse him about twice a night, and sometimes early in the morning. The rest of the day, he drinks the milk that I pump at work. He usually takes about 6-9 ounces. I'm only about to pump about 6 ounces a day now, so I've started using the frozen milk that I've collected over the months. He doesn't really seem all that interested in nursing. Is he weaning himself? Should I try to increase my supply or go with the flow? ANd if I go with the flow, do I need to start supplementing with formula if I can't make it to his birthday?

Some days I feel like I'm ready to wean... but the thought makes me cry.

Any advice?

[Jacksmommy]

My first thought is no to the formula. He's still getting breastmilk 4 times a day so he's good there. I'd try to make sure he gets breastmilk at least 4 times a day until he's 2. If that means increasing your supply by eating oatmeal or pumping more or offering to nurse more then that's what I'd do. Definitely you want to make sure he gets breastmilk at least 4 times a day until his first birthday. Age two is my minimum for nursing. Others just set a goal of 1 year.

[Prettyskittle82]

My goal when I started was 6 weeks... I'm surprised I made it this far. If I was staying at home, I would nurse longer... closer to 2 years, but it's just becoming too stressful to try to pump enough milk for Logan, so my goal is 1 year. That doesn't mean that I'm just going to stop at a year, but I want to stop pumping around that time. I will try to keep my supply up, and hopefully the frozen milk will help, too.

[Prettyskittle82]

Also... I have heard that oatmeal is good for supply... but I can't eat the stuff, it makes me gag... is there anything else? Besides MotherLove or Blessed Thistle or Fenugreek? Do the teas work?

[Jacksmommy]

Oatmeal in any form is the only food that I know of that's supposed to help increase your supply. Do you like oatmeal cookies? Also, make sure you drink plenty of water and get enough rest. And the drink must be water - at least mostly - not tea or coke or coffee or anything sugary - water. Oh, the teas that are supposed to help supply? I've never had any. I've heard mixed reviews.

[paris28]

Mitchell is 13 months old...I would like to start weaning, but I feel quilty..and he won't drink breastmilk from a sippy cup...he will drink juice from the cup though....any suggestions?

[Jacksmommy]

I wouldn't give a 13 month old juice. I would continue to nurse and offer water in a cup as well as ebm and just keep trying. Weaning is a slow process. How well does you son eat solid food?

[Prettyskittle82]

Logan (11 months now) would not drink milk from a sippy cup either, only water, but we just kept offering, and he's starting to take the cup now.