Trying to wean 11 month old

QUESTION: I am returning to work in September. I have started the weaning process gradually, by taking away the afternoon nursing. That went fairly well and now I have started cutting back on the a.m. nap nursing. I continue to give Emily an early morning and before bed nursing. My question is this... she never took a bottle so we are relying on the sippy cup for her liquid intake during the rest of the day. She loves to drink water. In the evening she will work on a couple ounces of formula from the sippy cup. How can I be sure she is getting enough milk/formula each day? Her stools are fine and she has plenty of wet diapers so she's getting plenty of liquid. I'm just concerned about the amount of milk when I see other kids her age downing 3-4 bottles a day.

Jen,

Congratulations on nursing Emily for 11 months!! You certainly did a wonderful job, and now you are preparing for returning to work. You do not need to wean simply because you are returning to work, you can continue to nurse Emily if you wish to do so. Many mothers have found that they truly enjoy the nursing relationship once they return to work because it allows them the feeling of being connected to the baby. Taking the baby to breast after a busy day at work allows her the time to unwind before the rush of making dinner and getting ready for bed. There is a wonderful book out there called "Working Mother, Nursing Mother" by ? Pryor, I strongly recommend it if you really are not sure about weaning. However, I also recommend "A Mother's Guide to Weaning" by Kathleen if your desire is to wean Emily from the breast. At the moment you really have plenty of time try either.

From your e-mail I am not sure if you plan to continue to nurse Emily all other times except for the early morning and evening. If this is so, you will be at an advantage since you will still continue to provide Emily with breast milk to meet some of her needs as well as all of the immunities and goodness in breast milk. One of the things that many mothers who return to work have found is that it is much easier and less stressful for the entire family when they bring baby to bed with them so that when she wakes up mom can simply roll over and give her the breast and at the same time get the rest she needs since she doesn't have to fully wake up to prepare a bottle or go to another room to feed the baby. In this case the baby may also be getting and he needs at night. The question about milk or formula is one that I cannot answer; however, there is a lot of controversy on whether or not milk is truly necessary for a child.

Jen, if your desire is to be able to maintain you milk supply while at work or to wean from the breast completely and safely before returning to work in September, I may be able to help you with that unfortunately your intent is not very clear.

Yvonne C. Bannister, B Sc, CBC, LLLL, IBCLC

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