Trying to Wean My 8 Month Old

I had also breastfed my daughter and had a hard time weaning her. The best solution that I found was to not use a bottle at all but rather a cup. She seemed to adjust to that better than the bottle.

S.,

My sister had a similar problem with her son. I think she finally got him to take milk out of a cup. Have you tried that? My doctor suggested it with my daughter if she had trouble weaning off of the breast, but I got lucky and she loves her bottle! There are a lot of cups out there with soft sippy parts for the little guy. I wish I had better advice for you.

Good luck!

Have you tried offering him a sippy cup?? My son and I stopped at a year, but by then he was fully comfortable with a sippy cup, which I'd given him since he was 6 months old. It's worth a try.

I second the sippy cup. My son never took a bottle either and weaned right to a sippy cup:) Personally, I'd do a slow wean too... but that's up to you. I eliminated one feeding every week and he never complained once.

You might want to try switching him straight to a sippy cup. It worked for my cousin. Then you avoid the weaning him off the bottle bit later. Other than that, the best advice I can give is perseverance.

Also, you might want to check the La Leche League website. They may be able to give you tips for getting him to stop playing and just eat if you want to consider continuing breastfeeding. Also, they will have tips on weaning to help both get him weaned off and keep you for getting engorged.

If the bottle isn't working, then I recommend not fighting it. Both my kids were able to drink from sippy cups and straw cups at 5 months without any problem. I discovered this because my first daughter refused a bottle as well and after months of fighting it I discovered the cup. She used to sit up and drink her formula from a cup by herself, which she loved because she loves to be independent! My daughter who is 9 months drinks water from her straw cup during meals (she grabs the cup and takes sips when she is thirsty). I can put formula in her cup as well and she will drink it. The straw is nice because the kid can hold the cup and not have to figure out to tip it up like a sippy. This worked well for me and hope it works for you too.

S., I gave my boys sippy cups at that age. Both of them skipped bottles as they didn't like them either. You might want to give it a try. P.

Have you tried putting him straight onto a sippy cup or straw cup? They're so totally different from a nipple that it may work. I know it worked for my sister.

I think this is a tough one....

I don't know that I'd fight him, really...as bad as that may sound. I fought my eldest at a couple wks. old to take a bottle (just in case I got hit by a bus, right..?) & had hubby do it. He'd scream, pull away so I had him pull up his shirt to feel the warmth :-). It was a battle, for sure. Try using a sippy cup & I say this because they don't have to work at it & possibly he'll realize how easy it is to get the milk (or whatever). I know many women that went from breast to cup. Then you can save nursing for naps/bed/special times....soothing, mom/baby times. Good luck!!

S.,

I am a 34year old mother of 4 and breatfed all of them. My second daughter would not take a bottle at all. I went right to a sippy cup. It took a while but she got it. You may want to try a soft spout instead of the hard ones.

A.

S., My daughter did the same thing. I transitioned her directly to the sippy cup.
It works for me.

Maybe you could try a sippy cup. He should be able to hold it and get what he needs from it.

Jen

I am very greatful to not have this problem but a friend of mine did. She tried sippy cups, the ones with the soft nipple that did not leak. I know in other countries they do not even use bottles it is breast then sippy.
Hope this helps.
K.

Well S., I weaned my daughter at 8months and of course it was easier because I was a working mom. However, like the old folks say....when babies get hungry enough they will eat whatever you give them. Sounds like you may have to let him cry for a while and show him who is in charge. Also, putting the breast milk in a bottle first may be the transition he needs.

HI...

I had 3 kids that never took bottles.....TRY A CUP! :-) It worked for me. Also, don't breastfeed him often because that's when he will play, bite etc. I gave a cup only during the day and breast fed him morning and bed. Eventuaqlly, they get thristy enough. You can try putting breastmilk in the cup if you want. I never did, though. I put formula in it. I did start with the cup around 5-6 months with water when they were in the saucer to try to get them used to it. But, I really wouldn't start a bottle at 8 months. Then, you have to wean from that, too. Hope thsi helps! Good luck!

Hi S.,
I had the same problem. My son is 9 months. He took a bottle up until 6 months and then he just stopped. I work two days a week so it was very challenging. We ended up feeding him an extra time while I was at work. What I have done is continued to nurse (but cut down on the # of times daily) and offered him the sippy cup. After lots of persistance, he is drinking from the cup. He refused all of the different bottles we tried also. Maybe just trying the sippy cup will work. I let Noah play with his for a few weeks empty so he got used to it. Good LUck!
-J.

Hey there, I feel the same way. I stopped breastfeeding at 8 months cause I was just dropping too much weight. I couldn't keep up but I felt like it was such a battle. A friend told me to do it cold turkey. It will be horrible for about two days and a lot of screaming will be going on but when their hungry enough they will start eating and mine did straight from a sippy cup. It sounds cruel but it's kind of better that way in some aspects. Good Luck!
A. P
www.greensthewaytobe.com

A. He still wants you and needs you. What's wrong with that?
B. Have you done any research on the benefits to you re breast cancer? I strongly suggest you do that.
C. What is your real reason for stopping?
D. Count your blessings.