Expert: ruth kraft - 11/23/2009

Question
I am currently breastfeeding my 4 1/2 month old son.  I plan on breastfeeding until he is 6 months old.  He eats every two hours during the day, and then sleeps 10 hours at night.  Since he was born I have produced more milk then he needs, and tend to become too full at times.  I used to pump in order to relieve the uncomfort.  I stopped doing that because I am trying to decrease my milk supply.  When I wake up in the morning from his 10 hour fast I could pump 7oz. out of each side.  He is still only eating 4-5oz. at a time.  I want to wean him slowly to help him and myself by decreasing my milk supply over time.  My dr. also told me I could start giving him rice cereal.  How should I add in formula and should I also add in rice cereal at the same time or just wait until he is 6 months old?

Answer
First I want to clarify that the Academy of Pediatrics reccomends nursing for at least a year, especialy given this flu season, and preferably up to 2 years. You seem like you have a good nursing situation going which makes me wonder why you are wanting to wean. Given the enormous benefits to both you and the baby, if you want to run by me why you would want to wean I might be able to help you get through the issue that is causing you to want to wean.  

Because you had an abundant supply and started pumping to aliviate some of that, it actually compounded your problem. Pumping only makes more milk especially when nursing full time. So stopping pumping was good if you are not needing so much milk or storing it for later. Although, its a much cheaper and much better choice for the babies health, so you may want to store as much of that extra that you are getting in the freezer as he can take it later instead of formula.  

You can give Rice cereal but it has no nutritional value and the Academy of Pediatrics also reccomends exclusivly nursing until 6 months old with NO supplimentation for the best in physical health for the baby. If you do start something , and when you do, barley or oatmeal will be much easier to digest because of the fiber. But also waiting until 6 months is best for the baby.

If the only reason you are weaning is because of your over supply, you can drink some sage tea and it will help decrease it some. Not too much though as it can deplete it too much. Doing it slowly is best, although I strongly encourage you to try longer. At this age, if you wean, and the baby starts having health issues because of formula, you won't be able to go back to breastfeeding without lengthy expensive experiences. Formula has been linked to not only allergies and health issues in general, but also neurologic issues like seizures , going into diabetes, obesity, and much much more.  If you have any other questions please let me know.