Weaning/Bottle feeding/ Sippy Cup

[Wisteriacow]

I'm really not sure what to call this but I'm hoping someone can give me some guidance. I am currently a WAHM mom and my almost 11 month old DS has a nanny to watch him 3 days a week for about 5 hours a day. During the time he's with the nanny he'll usually have 1-2 4-6oz bottles of pumped milk. We also give him about 2-3oz of pumped milk in a sippy with lunch and dinner. I'm getting tired of all the washing that goes along with cleaning pump parts and bottles but I want to continue giving him breast milk as long as possible. I nurse him as often as he's interested throughout the day (on days he's not with the nanny), he nurses to sleep at night and for naps and we still do night nursing. This is sort of what I'm planning/thinking/wondering:

1. Stop giving bottles now and just use sippy cups when he's with the nanny
2. After 1 year try and do a gentle nightweaning during certain hours, along the lines of Dr. Jay Gordon's method
3. After 1 year introduce cow/hemp/some other milk source in a sippy during meals
4. Continue nursing after 1 year as interested

Does this make sense? Pros/Cons/flaws with this plan? I don't really have anyone I can turn to for advice so anything would be appreciated!

[LadyCatherine185]

Are you planning on weaning soon? The reason I ask is because introducing other milks in a sippy cup (or even your milk) a lot can lead to premature weaning.

Either way, I would just offer water during meals if you plan to nurse on demand during the day.. That should make it easier on you regarding all the cleaning. And if he is nursing he doesn't need other milk as long as he is eating a good variety of solids.

[Wisteriacow]

Wow, it never even occurred to me that giving him BM in a sippy could cause weaning. He has been nursing less lately but I didn't make the association. I guess I was worried about giving him water in a sippy because I read so much about BF babies not needing water and that it can through off their electrolytes if they have too much. Any insight on how much water is "safe" for him to have?

[LadyCatherine185]

If he is 100% BF'ed, 3 oz's of water a day is ok. If he is eating solids, I would just only offer the water with solid meals, just a little bit at a time.

I say drop the bottles during the time with the nanny too, and just use a sippy instead.