Weaning and Calcium

[lily'smum]

Hi guys,

I'm looking for advice on two things related to weaning.

I have just weaned my daughter Lily (15 mnths) and was wondering how long it takes for the milk to dry up?

Also, Lily has never taken a bottle, won't drink cows milk or soy, has decided she doesn't like cheese and so the only dairy product I can get in to her is yoghurt. I'm really concerned she's not getting her DRI for calcium. Does anyone else have this problem and/or have any suggestions for me? :confused:

Hopeful...

[breebreesmum]

Hi,
I too breastfed until 15 mths and had the same problem. The only way I got Breanna to drink milk is to add flavouring (which is worse..no milk or too much sugar) Try making milkshakes with different flavours and letting her taste them to see which flavour she prefers. Breanna will now drink up to 200mls from a cup of chocolate milk. Also add milk or cheese to nearly everything she eats - vegies can have cheese on top, white sauce has heaps of milk & cheese can be added same with eggs/omlette, tuna mornay on pasta is another good one. Ice blocks can be good too now that it is getting warmer, you can freeze milk with her favourite fruit (eg rockmelon,mango, strawberry etc) pureed in it. Have you tried different cheeses - Breanna loves the Kraft cheese sticks, but no other cheese by itself. They are expensive and manufactured rather than natural cheese but at least they are supposed to be a good source of calcium.

[Poochie]

My 14 month old has been weaned for only three weeks. She hates all kinds of milk - although I still offer it to her [you never know?]. Anyway, I was really worried about this, so I have discussed it with health professionals and other Mum's. The general conclusion I came to was - not to panic and give your baby some time, some seem to enjoy milk at a later date, whilst others prefer other types of dairy. I am sure you have probably tried everything, my girl loves Kraft grated cheese - just a pile on it's own!
Best of Luck. :)

[xkwzit]

Hi

I have heard that it can take over a year for milk to "dry-up"completely. I certainly know that for up to 5-6 months after weaning my daughter I was able to express a bit of milk (not much though).

Cheers

[Elfin]

Hi Lilysmum

I can't help you much with weaning as I was never very good at breastfeeding due to undersupply so my milk just dried up and had to switch to formula just one of those things :rolleyes:

I think most of us worry about calcium, my kids will drink milk but I give them ice cream now and again, frozen yoghurt and yukults for variety. In addition, you could try petit miam not yoghurt but still a source of calcium. Green leafy vegetables like broccoli and spinach (if only my kids would eat those), sardines, salmon (tinned with the bones crushed) and almonds (not suitable for tots but maybe almond paste :confused: ) are also good sources of calcium.

Hope this helps a bit.

Easterlily :)