When should I begin weaning?
Weaning from breast to cup is dependent on your baby's need
to suck and his ability to drink from a cup. A baby is
usually receptive to weaning between 9 and 18 months. If
your baby is less than 9 months old, you should wean him to
a bottle first. When your baby is 6 months old, you can
start introducing the cup, but wait to completely wean your
baby until he is about 9 months old.
What kind of milk should I use?
You can put breast milk that you have pumped and stored in
the cup. You can also use formula in the cup. If your baby
is over 12 months you can start using regular whole milk.
If you use formula:
watch carefully how your baby tolerates the formula.
Look for rashes, spitting up, and/or bowel problems. If
any appear, you should consult your doctor and ask if you
need to change formulas.
use iron-fortified formula until the baby is at least 1
year old to avoid iron-deficiency anemia.
How do I wean my baby?
Take your time. Give your baby a chance to get used to
the idea of a cup. At about 6 months old (or older), you
can begin offering an occasional cup of breast milk,
formula, or juice just to introduce the concept that
drinks can come in another container.
Plan ahead and give yourself and your baby plenty of
time. Gradual weaning gives your baby time to adjust.
It also allows your milk supply to diminish gradually and
saves you from engorged breasts. Some mothers experience
a mild depression when weaning as a result of changes in
hormones related to their milk production. This is
especially likely to happen if the weaning is done
quickly.
Start small and increase the amount of milk. When you
are ready to wean, you can start offering your baby a
cup with 1/2 oz. of milk or formula at every meal. After
the meal, nurse your baby. Juice should not be used as
a replacement for milk at feedings.
Gradually increase the proportion of milk your baby
takes from the cup. When your baby is taking 3 to 4 oz.
of milk from the cup, you can eliminate a breast-feeding
session (usually breakfast or lunch).
Eliminate 1 feeding at a time: After eliminating one
nursing session, wait 5 to 7 days before eliminating
another to give your baby a chance to adjust. The early
morning and late evening nursing sessions are usually the
most difficult for your baby to give up. Wean the baby
from these last. You will soon learn which feedings are
your baby's least favorite and when his appetite is
generally lowest. Replace these nursings first.
If your baby is taking a daily total of 16 to 20 oz. of milk
by cup, in addition to 3 meals of solid food, he can be
considered successfully weaned.
What if my breasts become engorged?
If your breasts become engorged because you are no nursing
as much, allow your baby to suck 15 to 30 seconds from each
breast to relieve your discomfort. Make sure that you don't
nurse any longer, however, or you will trigger your breasts
to produce more milk--and the engorgement will get worse.
What if I have problems with weaning?
Setbacks in weaning can be caused by many things, including
stress, major changes in meal or bed times, or illness. If
such setbacks occur, wait until the situation improves or
the illness is over, and then continue the weaning process.
Call your baby's doctor if you have any questions or
concerns.
