Breastfeeding Question

[AmyBoz]

Okay, here's the deal:

Patrick was a breastfed only baby until September. Then, I started feeding him baby food during the day and breastfeeding first thing in the morning and before he'd go to sleep at night. My plan was always to stop breastfeeding completely over the Christmas vacation, which is exactly how I did it with Julia when she was a baby (both were born in February, so the time frame is the exact same.)

The difference is, while Julia seemed to want to be weaned in December, Patrick still gets all shaky and excited at night when it's time to eat. It doesn't seem like he wants to stop, but I really think it's best for him. However, I'm not sure what to give him to eat before bedtime, because I think the excitement is that he is hungry before bed. He's got just about a full mouth of teeth, so I don't want to give him a bottle. He's never had one and I am afraid he'd bite the nipple off since he won't know what it is. He's also never had formula, so I don't really want to start that now, either.

Does anyone have any thoughts?

[Circledancer]

Good Morning Amy!

Your little Patrick is only 10 months old right?? (it's morning!!) It sounds by your post that you maybe unsure if weaning him is the right thing to do at this time. I would really encourage you to continue the nightly feedings. At 10 months old his belly is very little and mama's milk digests better and is built just for him (I'm sure he knows this!)

Be encouraged that he is probably going through a growing spurt. Maybe this isn't what you wanted to hear. But trust your instincts either way Amy. I am very much a breastfeeding advocate my little bambinos were nursed till they stopped; and some days I thought they never would. But that nightly feeding was the last to go. I sure it secured them into their nightly fairie dreams!!

Be Blessed!
Kelly

[BlessedMommy]

I, too, encourage you to keep up the night feedings, at least for a couple of months more. It won't hurt anything (unless he bites you, and if he already has a mouth full of teeth, you've probably already dealt with that), and it will avoid the other options like introducing a bottle at this late stage. In a couple of months he may be able to have a full sippy cup of whole milk or another snack before bed. My babies both weaned themselves (cold turkey style ;( )and I would have loved to have kept the night feeding for a while longer!