QUESTION: I am trying to wean my 5-month-old little girl from breastfeeding so that I can return to work. She refuses to drink from a bottle for the most part, and only reluctantly drinks breast milk from a bottle. How can I wean her from the breast? Also, I would like to find the formula on the market that is the closest to breast milk, do you have any recommendations?

Dear Iraida,

I am an LC in WV who was sent your question from the breastfeeding.com website. You have done so well with your daughter these five months! I would be happy to explore ways that you can continue to nurse even though you go back to work. So many women do that these days and they find that the benefits are there....the baby is much healthier and that it prevents a lot of absence from work from taking the baby to the doctor. Also, the mothers report that they really enjoy the nursing time when they are home with the baby. It allows them to spend special time instead of spending it in the kitchen, etc.

Having said that, if you still desire to wean completely, then you need to proceed gradually for your own health, to prevent breast infections. Your baby can take a cup and not have a bottle at all. There is no law that says babies must take the bottle. If she needs the sucking satisfaction, then she will begin to take the bottle or use a pacifier. Someone will have to cup feed her for awhile until she learns to hold it herself of course. She should still be cuddled a lot during feedings by whoever is feeding her, even if she is holding the cup herself (except for the meals she takes in the high chair, of course).

You should not decrease the number of feedings at breast any faster that one or two per week. In a few weeks, you will be down to nursing for naps and/or bedtime. That is usually the last feeding to go and many moms continue to nurse for bedtime and early morning clear past the second birthday! So you have lots of time to set your own pace.

I cannot tell you that any formula is like breastmilk. They aren't! They cannot match it even closely. There are so many micro nutrients that are too expensive to put into formula. The companies all have their sales pitches but that's all they are. Ask your pediatrician which he/she recommends and that is usually because the formula representative has been to visit!....Start with any one and see if Brithany does okay on it or not. That is another reason to wean gradually. If you find side effects from the formula, it easy to back up on the weaning and wait a bit longer until she is more ready for a change in her diet.. Many babies at her age begin to take more solid foods at the sitter and reduce the need for pumped milk that way. The cost of a good pump is still cheaper that buying formula!

Good luck and let me know if you need any more information.

Sincerely,

Elaine Matheny, BS, IBCLC, LLL Leader

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