Expert: ruth kraft - 4/20/2009

Question
Hello! I am trying to wean my 13-month-old boy, as I will be going out of the country for ten days on business and he will be staying at home with my husband.

I now breastfeed him twice a day, in the morning and just before going to bed at night. He happily drinks water from a sippy cup throughout the day, but absolutely refuses to drink any cow's milk from either bottle or cup. I have tried soy milk and chocolate milk, but while he is a bit more receptive to these, he will only take a couple of small sips - not nearly as much milk as he would drink when breastfeeding.

Should I continue to gradually cut out each of the two remaining feeds, even if this means he will probably drink very little milk? Is it ok to give him extra yogurt, milk in his cereal, cheese etc to maintain his calcium intake? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Many thanks and look forward to hearing from you.
All the best,
Silvia

Answer
Many babies who are breastfed refuse cows milk because they know that cows milk is for baby cows not baby humans :)  it tastes bad compared to breastmilk so they don't like it...  becaue he drinks from a sippy that time during the day, I wo uldnt worry about weaning him. take that time with him, he willl adjust fine while you are gone. when daddy is around he can have a sippy of water.  If you are worried about the calcium  and such then yes, extra yogurt to make up for it or cheese etc... but honestly, 10 days is not going to deplete his calcium a great deal. So, I really wouldnt worry about it. maybe you can pick up nursing when youa re back if you want, or not if you are ready to wean. that is up to you :)

good luck! other than missing his mommy, the nursing wont really be an issue while you are gone. and weaning him will not stop him from missing YOU.  But he will be fine, and when you return , he will be happy to see you. Not because you have breasts, but because your mommy :)