Partial Weaning

[rkang01]

Hello, I have come over here from S14 hoping to get some advice of partial weaning.

Anyone here have success with it?

My DD is 5 months old. I have had low supply from the start, I always nursed and then offered a bottle of formula. That went very well until about 3 or 4 weeks ago, sadly my LO doesn't want to nurse any more. I had been trying to pump but I also take care of a 6 month old during the day, pumping when caring for 2 babies is so difficult! I often forget to pump.

I decided everyone would be happier if I finally admitted defeat and switched over to formula. While looking online for weaning tips I came across partial weaning. My DD will still nurse before bed and in the middle of the night or morning if she doesnt wake up.

I think I want to give partial weaning a try, any advice would be appreciated.
Thank you

[haybaleinthemiddle]

I did partial weaning with my son at about 13 months because I didn't want to pump at work anymore. My supply dried up really quick and although I would still let down it took a loooong time and DS was not longer interested.

Anyway, that was just my experience, I know some people are able to do just two -three feeds a say for a long time but that just didn't happen for us.

[mrssqueegy]

I think at 5 months it would be very difficult to only nurse morning and evenings and still keep up your supply. Sometimes babies will still comfort nurse if the milk dries up but if your DD has bottle preference (which I imagine she does from the supplementing), she likely won't be a comfort nurser. But there is no harm in trying if you plan to switch to formula anyway. Maybe you'll have some luck with it. Good luck!

[casey]

Feb 20, 2015 20:58:41 GMT -5 mrssqueegy said:

I think at 5 months it would be very difficult to only nurse morning and evenings and still keep up your supply. Sometimes babies will still comfort nurse if the milk dries up but if your DD has bottle preference (which I imagine she does from the supplementing), she likely won't be a comfort nurser. But there is no harm in trying if you plan to switch to formula anyway. Maybe you'll have some luck with it. Good luck!

This. I know a few people who tried just mornings and nights for a while when baby was less than a year, but I don't know anyone who was able to maintain it for more than a month. If you are planning on switching to formula anyway, it can't hurt to try. 

[karebear2]

I haven't tried this myself but I found some info on it at Kellymom

kellymom.com/ages/weaning/wean-how/weaning-partial/

I think I might be interested in trying this myself down the road.

[Deleted]

Most moms struggle to maintain it for very long, but if the optio is no more breastmilk or breatmilk only in the morning, evening and overnight, then I'd suggest the breastmilk part time method. You don't know how long it will work, but if you are very consistent and baby isn't fully STTN you might succeed for quite a while.

My oldest sister did formula during the day and breastfed only evenings, overnight and first thing in the am. She started it from birth with her 4th baby. She runs a daycare and there is always people around to give bottles, but at night she hates to get out of bed to make bottles, so they coslept and nursed thru the night. This worked for them until 8 months so it's no impossible at all. At 8 mos my neice started STTN and gave up the nursings in the middle of the night and milk supply dried up.

[rkang01]

Thanks everyone! I really appreciate your advice. I am thinking I will give it a try and if it doesn't work then I will fall back on my original plan.