[maria06]

I am weaning my 6 month old to solids and he is eating really well - 3 meals a day.However he only really wants to breastfeed twice a day and fights me the rest of the time. I give him cooled boiled water too as I am worried he will get dehydrated as he didn't want to breastfeed as much. We live in a hot place - can anyone suggest anything.

[J_9]

He is too young for water... juice, formula, etc, but water can actually tend to dehydrate at such a young age.

If you are weaning him from the breast, use a sippy cup. Much better substitute, and easier to drink from.

[DoulaLC]

I'd cut back on the solids a little and get his milk intake back up. His main source of nutrition in the first year will still be the breastmilk or formula. Always offer the breast, expressed milk, or formula first before any solids and keep the solids to a minimum for right now. Think of them as more of a side dish to his main meal. Over the next several months he will start to take less milk and more solids, but still offer the milk first.

Water isn't really necessary, especially for breastfed babies, as breastmilk is mostly water. Any amount offered should be very minimal, as J_9 mentioned, too much can be harmful. Keep in mind as well that any water you offer will take the place of breastmilk he could be getting... either expressed or directly from you.

[GirlWSlingshot]

Is there a particular reason you want to wean at this time? The breastmilk is very beneficial and especially during that first year, needed. If you don't breastfeed you'll have to switch over to formula to replace your nursing. And why pay for something that isn't the best for him if you've already get the best at home for free?

[ang8318]

My son started to refuse his bottle when he was 5 months old. I just gave him his formula in a cup with a straw. It was what he preferred, and my doctor said it was fine, as long as he was drinking formula and not water.