For my sanity, I must wean

[MeredithTB]

Tucker will be 1 yr old in 2 weeks and I'm so proud that I made it to my 12 month goal. He's currently nursing 4-5 times a day (no night feedings). That being said, he is a high needs baby that is terribly addicted to me....has been since 3 months. If you don't have a high need baby then you have no idea the exhaustion it brings. Tucker has been EBF and never took a bottle. He drinks water out of the nuby cups but he doesn't really suck and get much. I have no stash and tried to pump a month ago and got nothing. So, on to cow or goat milk we will go.

I don't even know how to begin. Do I give cow milk when I normally nursed or give with meals or what? Would goat milk be better? Should it be heated? How much is enough?

thanks

[Jacksmommy]

Congratulations on making it this far =)
Start small. Offer a couple of ounces of cow's or goat's milk to replace one nursing session to start. If baby tolerates it well then you'll offer more - maybe 4 ounces at a time. I think warmed milk is easier to digest than cold, but you'll want to see what your baby prefers.
You want to cut out the nursing sessions gradually - one at a time and slowly ( like I would wait a week at least before eliminating a second nursing session - assuming your baby does well with the cow or goat's milk) so your baby and your body can have the easiest adjustment.

[Jacksmommy]

You should also know that although cow/goat's milk is a convenient way to give baby protein,fat, and calcium - and perfectly fine to do at 12 months, it isn't necessary. My son has never had it. I offered it, but he never liked it. He drinks water. HE gets the nutrients he needs from food. Don't think the only way to wean is to get baby to drink cow's milk.
He has to drink something obviously, but water is fine, and he can get the nourishment he needs from food - assuming he takes solids well.

[MeredithTB]

Thanks for the help jacksmommy!

[crystal555rose]

I am a little anti-cow's milk. There are many nutritious alternatives if you fear that he cannot get enough nutrient from solid foods. I think the protein in cow's milk, casein, is very irritating to the human immune system. I like soy milk a lot. My son is still breastfeeding at 20 months but he will drink soy milk too.

[MeredithTB]

I had heard so many negative things about giving soy milk to boys. Is that all rubbish?

[madelsmama]

I think there is something to the concerns about soy. Soy mimics the hormone estrogen, so we don't consume too much of it.

[BlitheCassia]

Starchy foods Bread, cereals, rice, and potatoes.
Dairy products Cheese, yoghurt and full-fat fromage frais. Cows’ milk shouldn’t be given as a drink until after one year, but can be used in small quantities in sauces, custard or in cooking.
Meat and fish Lean meat, poultry and white fish – or vegetarian alternatives such as beans, pulses and grains. Shellfish isn’t suitable for babies.
Vegetables Root vegetables, green beans, broccoli, and cauliflower.
Fruit Apples, plums, apricots, pears, and bananas. Citrus and berry fruits like strawberries should be introduced with caution.

Food to avoid are: Salt Don’t add salt to your baby’s food – it can overload her immature kidneys – and avoid processed foods that haven’t been made specifically for babies. Sugar Too much sugar can encourage a ‘sweet tooth’ and lead to tooth decay, so don’t add sugar to your baby’s food, and avoid high-sugar foods. Honey Occasionally, honey contains a type of bacteria that can cause infant botulism, so it shouldn’t be offered before one year. Egg whites These shouldn’t be given before eight months. Egg yolks can be given earlier but must be thoroughly cooked to avoid any risk of salmonella. Tea, coffee and soft drinks These are not suitable for babies.
Nuts If there is a history of nut allergy in your family, you should avoid giving foods containing nuts until your baby is at least three years old.

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[Shaunsmom]

How are things going Meredith?

I stopped pumping milk for my DD about a month ago. I don't miss that pump one bit:)

We offer DD cow's milk and she has nothing to do with it. She likes her water, plain and simple. She does get enough nutrients from foods so the milk part doesn't concern me one bit.

[MeredithTB]

shaunmom--thanks for asking.

I cut out the late morning session and he doesn't seem to miss it. I'm still nursing first thing morning, before pm nap, around 5, and before bed. He doesn't like the goats milk either. I even put ovaltine in it, and then pediasure. He still wants only water. My mom gave him some pomagranate(sp?) lemonade and he loved that. I'm just so scared of cutting out the rest of the sessions. I really want to but I'm afraid he will not get something he needs. Guess I could try the milk mixed with the lemonade....? He loves cheese, but we fight constipation issues. He hives up with yogurt. I still don't know what to do.....