I need to start weaning my baby from breastfeeding, what do i do?

[StaceyBug]

My baby is 6 months old and has never taken a bottle. I'm going back to school in a month and need to make it possible for my husband to take care of him while I'm away. We have tried giving him bottles in the past and he simply will refuse to take it. One day I was out of town for 7 hours and the only thing he was willing to eat the entire time was a small can of baby food. Any and all advise would be welcome!

[SarahC]

I tried so hard to do that once with a 7 month old. It simply did not happen. She just wouldn't eat. Finally it got to that she ate baby food while I was at school and nursed the rest of the time.

[parentalunit]

try different bottle brands, try a sippy cup, try a medicine syringe if you have to! It will take time, but he will eventually take the bottle from daddy. they may have a rough first week, but babies won't let themselves starve. You may try introducing water or juice in a bottle first to get him taking a bottle without protest, then give him the milk. Do you need to fully wean? Can you pump and give him your milk in a bottle? At 6 months he still has a real need for your milk, not to mention the comfort nursing will bring after a major change in his routine. The taste of formula is going to be very off putting for a baby used to breast milk, there is no comparison in the flavor of the two. (and yes, I've tasted them.anything I give my baby I taste myself)

[bbdd4ever]

If you pump the milk it can be offered in a sippy cup instead. My son never took a bottle and to be honest ur baby probably never will. Try taking away the feedings to which u are going to be away and leave the house so that who ever is going to feed the baby can give it a try. have them warm up the milk under hot water and try it in the inside of their arm to make sure it didnt get too hot. It is important that u are not around cause the baby will more likely just not want anything to do with the sippy cup. I believe the baby is old enough to take cereal that can also be mixed with your milk and offered as a meal and then offer the breast milk. Best of luck and great job with the exclusive breastfeeding. I know its not an easy task but it is rewarding

[Tanya]

weaning? YOur baby won't take any other food and you are trying to take that from him as well? Many mothers continue breastfeeding after going back to work! Look up resources on line, contact your local LLL leader, you have so many other great options!

[perth2clarky]

when a baby is thirsty it will drink. when you went out did you put formula or expressed milk in the bottle? if u have only ever breastfed a baby then you should put breast milk in first and with u feeding the baby see if they will take it. if this works then u need to let someone else feed the baby eventually they will get used to it. however once you start expressing and giving the baby a bottle they may wean them selves off u because a bottle is easier to suck from than the breast. also you may need to try using different types of teats. When I weened my eldest child I had to use a fast flow teat as the milk in breasdt flowed quickly with my youngest two I had use a larger teat as they would not suck from a normal teat. If you have any concerns you should go see either a lactation consultant,your child health nurse a paedatirican or your DR.