how do i wean my son onto a bottle
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how do i wean my son onto a bottle
| Thu, 03-01-2007 - 7:39pm |
so, i recently wrote about weaning my son, ive been trying for the past couple of days before each feeding to offer him a bottle, its not working, im am having a nervous breakdown on trying to do this. i havent even gotten as far as to letting him cry long enough to see if hell really take the bottle. i cant do it, i cant watch my son look at me with tears in his eyes wondering why i wont nurse him, but it has to be done, im getting married in less then 3 months. and we cant cancel our honeymoon. and i really would like to go back to work at least part time. I need like a step by step way on weaning him onto the bottle. im loosing it over here. please help. im sick of hearing all of these horror stories. help please.

Hey there-- I remember your post from a few day-- sorry you are having such a hard time! Have you tried having someone else offer him the bottle while you leave the room? If this isnt working either I would take a week off if I was you. I know you are in a hurry to wean him, but right now you are both very frustrated about using the bottle so it's best to at least take a few days off, after that you can try again. My DD' refused the bottle for the 1st week we tried if I was even in the same room, so if possible, try not to be present! (I know thats easier said than done) You may need to try a few more nipples before you find one he likes!
Sorry again!
~Angie
I know your struggle. I have two sons who were both nursed. My first son was 15 months and still nursing on our wedding day. Our honeymoon included our bundle of joy and we didn't regret it one bit. I had been working part time waitresing at a pizzeria for about 5 months at that time. Neither of my sons would take the bottle. When my second son was 5 months I introduced the cup. At 8 months he can hold it on his own and drinks water and juice from it well. There is relief in the fact that once they get to be 6 months they can have other things. I definetly don't have all the answers and everyones situations different. On our honeymoon I ended up quiting nursing all together. I think the fact that a lot of new things were happening he almost forgot about nursing. I wish you the best of luck finding a happy place for you and your bundle. I do know that nursing helped me lose unwanted poundage right before I got married. Good luck and keep me posted on how you're doing. Your fellow breastfeeding friend, jess
I know that this can be very frustrating.
Are you putting expressed breastmilk in the bottle or formula?
Would definately suggest that someone else give the bottle not you - maybe a friend, fiance, or grandma - you cold talk a walk around the block etc. In babies eyes why should he take a cold plastic nipple when nice soft cozy mommy is available.
other tips on introducing and then refusing the bottle here
http://www.mother-2-mother.com/bottles.htm
http://www.mother-2-mother.com/refusingbottle.htm
Have you tried a cup at all? Here are a couple of sites that discuss starting cups with an older baby and skipping bottles.
This site is written by a lactation consultant
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/alternative-feeding.html#older
http://www.mother-2-mother.com/cups-older.htm
Lastly would suggest that you not stress - you have 3 months. I have seen moms going back to work in 3 days discover that baby would not take a bottle, that is more of a panic issue. Would suggest again that you post on the iVillage breastfeeding board - there are a number of moms there that ha ve faced this very issue when returning to work. I am sure they can offer some BTDT advice. Here is the direct link
http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-ppbreastfeed
HTH!
Carol
SAHM to nursling Phillip (16 months)
and Jacob (8 years)
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