Re-introduce bottle or sippy cup at 6 months

[lkmiscnet]

I have to wean my son at 6 months old, but have frozen a stash of what I hope to be 5-6 months worth of breastmilk to keep him going longer.

He had been in the NICU for 3 weeks and was given a bottle with breastmilk, while learning how to breastfeed. Afterwards, my husband was able to feed him breastmilk from time to time. However, at about 2 months old, he went on strike against the bottle and we have not used one since.

I'm not sure if I am better off attempting to re-introduce a bottle or if he would be old enough for a sippy cup at 6 months of age. I plan to start him on solids at about 6 to 6-1/2 months of age as well.

Advice? Thanks!

Linda

[LadyCatherine185]

I am sorry you have to wean your son, I cannot imagine.

I would try a sippy cup, you could even try around 5 months old, that is when we introduced one to DS. He took to it right away and never would take a bottle. We are still BF'ing but he gets a sippy of water with meals and when we are out of the house.

good luck!

[frugalmama]

I'd go with a sippy too - the nuby ones have a very soft spout that would work well with one that young I think.

[LindsC]

I agree with introducing the sippy cup instead of the bottle at that age.

[dividedsky]

i agree with the soft-spout nubys, try those first!

[TiredX2]

That is devistating. I really hope you are okay, as I know one of the few reasons people have to wean suddenly is cancer treatment. I hope that's not what it is in your case!

I am going to disagree with the previous posters. I would definately try to reintroduce a bottle at 6 months. If it was going to be for occasional bmilk, or just while you were at work, I would go with the sippy cup to avoid nipple confusion. Since your little one won't be able to nurse at all, I would want to provide the extra comfort and security of a bottle. Humans are biologically designed to nurse for 2.5-7 years so the vast majority of 6 month olds still have very strong sucking needs. I wouldn't want to deprive DS of the sucking, especially if your family is going to be in a stressful situation.

[TiredX2]

Oops. Sorry about the above post. I see that your DS is only 4 months now, so you won't be weaning for two more months, so it's not cancer.

I don't know why you have to wean, and you have probably already thought this through, but I just wanted to throw out that nursing is definately NOT an all or nothing proposition. You can continue partial nursing, or even if you have to avoid nursing for several days or weeks you can attempt to go back when the situation resolves.

Good luck!

[LadyCatherine185]

Originally Posted by TiredX2

I am going to disagree with the previous posters. I would definately try to reintroduce a bottle at 6 months. If it was going to be for occasional bmilk, or just while you were at work, I would go with the sippy cup to avoid nipple confusion. Since your little one won't be able to nurse at all, I would want to provide the extra comfort and security of a bottle. .

You know, I didn't think about that. Maybe you could do a little of both?? Maybe you could do a bottle at nap/bedtime but a sippy during 'meals' or 'snacks' etc?

[lkmiscnet]

Nothing serious wrong with me.

The scoop is that I would like my son to have a brother or sister, as neither I nor my husband have any extended families that he would be a part of. Also, my husband and I are older parents.

I have a brother and know how important his support has been when life has gotten difficult or we have lost a parent. I know life can change on a dime, but I've always hoped for two kids...

Our son was an IVF baby. We have embryos on ice, but because of my age (44 in Dec), sadly time is of the essence. I have to have two periods before we can attempt another transfer, and I know that can take many months to arrive.

So, I decided I would wean our son at 6 months and bank a 6 month milk supply (though if I use breastmilk to mix with solid foods, I might not have enough to last a full six months). Who knows? Maybe I can start giving him breastmilk again if we are successful in having another baby.

I am going to be so very sad to wean him as I love the bonding experience. But, I have to force myself to look at the long term picture. Short term sacrifice, long term gain...

Any recommendations on bottle brand to try at 6 months? I will also use a sippy cup as suggested.