Spinoff to I feel like a failure

I was just about to post something similar when I read BlessedMomma's post first...

DD is 12 months old now and she was exclusively breastfed. And this past weekend we were/are trying to transition to milk in sippy cups. She just doesn't want to drink it, she cries and hits me because she still wants to breastfeed. It takes DH & I about 2 hours to get her to drink 2 oz. The most we have gotten her to drink in one day so far was 6-8 oz and that was a terrible day where we were just struggling with it so much. She's such a sweet happy baby when I breastfeed her. But when I try to give her a cup with milk she gets upset or angry or ignores it and pushes it away. She also doesn't eat as much table food as she should. Maybe she eats 500-750 calories a day, not the recommended 1,000. I try to make sure she always has some grains, some fruit, some veggies, some dairy and/or protein since the doctor told me variety is more important than amount. However, I am just starting to regret weaning. I feel like she will never drink 16oz of milk in one day and would be so much happier if we kept BFing. But I think its time to wean I just wish it was easier/more natural. Any help or advice or similar stories?

Spinoff to I feel like a failure

Did you completely wean already? I would keep going with the bfing, if you want to. Of course, if you were totally ready to wean, that is okay too, but I don't see why you can't keep going past a year. I still nurse dd morning and night and she's 14 months old.

If you are totally set on weaning...I would maybe try the milk in a bottle until she gets used to it. Also, have you tried straws? I find that my dd prefers straw cups...

Good luck! Change is hard!

Spinoff to I feel like a failure

I did not BF but getting DS to switch from a bottle to a cup was probably the hardest thing to do. He is 20M and he is finally drinking good from a cup. I tried a million and one different types before we settled on the take and toss straw ones.

I woudl try a bottle and cup combo if you have weened.

Re: Spinoff to I feel like a failure

I still BF before naps and bedtime. I was trying to wean off the morning feeding and all the extra feedings throughout the day. She drinks from many different sippy cups and straw cups- she liked it when it was water and she was still BFing all the time. She never liked bottles so I don't want to introduce those now that she is already using cups. Should i be mixing breastmilk and regular milk?

Re: Spinoff to I feel like a failure

Tranistioning to a sippy cup is hard - regarldess if you are BFing or bottle feeding.
My DD was FF and she refused milk from a cup for the longest time.
We tried at 12 months.
It was a disaster.
She was literally writhing in my arms, screaming and flailing for a bottle.
I likened it to a crack addict who need a fix. No joke.
We tried every cup out there- even ones that were so close to bottles it seemed almost pointless.

I rathered she get the milk - as like yours, she was a HORRIBLE eater.
So I gave her back the bottles.

Then one day, at 15 months or so, DH was watching her while I was at work and he just told her, no more bottles, you get a cup now.
And she took the cup and never looked back.
It was that easy.
IMO when they are ready, they are ready.
And just so you know- her milk consumption droped dramatically when she went from bottle to cup- but the ped said it was fine- she was getting dairy from yogurt and cheese, etc- so no worries

I can only imagine going from the breast to a cup is even harder on them than going from a bottle to a cup.
So I can see why you'd have issues.

My advice- don't push it. They will do it when ready.
And everyone will be happier and less stressed.

Message edited 8/20/2013 10:01:21 AM.

Re: Spinoff to I feel like a failure

Spinoff to I feel like a failure

Double post

Message edited 8/20/2013 10:06:05 AM.

Spinoff to I feel like a failure

Have you tried different styles of sippy cups? DS was on formula by the time we were transitioning, but it took 5-6 different types of sippy cup before we found one he liked.

Hang in there! It's a tough transition!

Spinoff to I feel like a failure

It took a while for DD to adjust. She never really had bottles so milk in a sippy was a big adjustment. She would drink an ounce or two over the course of a whole day at first but eventually she took more. I probably started offering it at 13 months and now that she's 16 months she'll drink 8-10 ounces maybe. I'm not totally sure bc I don't stress about it that much. I give her yogurt every day, usually some cheese, and other things with calcium. According to my ped, 3 servings of calcium are what's important and it doesn't have to be from milk. I would try not to stress too much about the sippy. Keep offering and hopefully she'll get used to it.

Re: Spinoff to I feel like a failure

Message edited 8/20/2013 10:29:12 AM.

Re: Spinoff to I feel like a failure

I have no advice. Just wanted to say hang in there. I'm sure it will get better