Weaning / cows milk advice please

[Jacki]

Hi all
I have just been to see my MHCN to have DS weighed & measured etc.
DS is still fully BF and I had a bit of chat to her about weaning as I have to go back to work in January.

He is currently on 4 BF a day (7am, 11am, 3.30pm, 7pm) and eating solids really well. I am happy to keep the 7am and 7pm for now but want to drop the 11 & 3 in the next month.

I was told to replace the feeds (over a couple of weeks) with just water from a sippy cup and offer a small snack.

I assumed that I would be replacing the feeds with formula prior to 12 mths and then cows milk at 12 months but was told that wasn't necessary as he is a good eater.

Even if I was dropping all 4 feeds by 12 months she still said didn't have to give milk if he was eating really well. Thoughts anyone??

[SamiH]

IMO for what it's worth - I thought milk was supposed to make up tan important part of their diet up to 12 months? If it were me, I would still have one bottle in the middle of the day so before a sleep after lunch or something and have solids (snacks) for morning and afternoon tea - I know all of that is pending on their sleep routine - but you get the gist.

Are you up to feeling like you can express for that one bottle a day? If not, I would give formula before cows milk at 9 months.

Good luck!

[Jacki]

Thanks Sam
I am inclined to give a milk feed during the day as well especially up to 12mths.
Unfortunately when I go back to work I won't be able to express.

I think the reasoning behind her advice was that babies/toddlers tend to fill up on milk too much when after 12 months it should all be about the solids. But most people I know still give their bubs milk well after 12 months.

Just to clarify - I asked her to day as I will not be seeing her again this year as I am off to Sydney for xmas so the advice she gave was not for now but for late December/very early January for when DS is about 11mths old

Confusing!!

[catherinemoses]

That's not helpful!

I'd be inclined to try and get him to have 3 BF's now ish and then try and replace that middle BF with a bottle of cow's milk of formula.

I give DS 3 ff's breaky lunch and before bed. I give him water at morning and afternoon tea with fruit.

HTH

Good luck