When does your 11/12mo breastfeed

[blushingmare]

DS is 11mo and only milk is via breastfeeding. He has been taking most of his milk at night because he gets so distracted during the day, but the last couple of nights he's mostly refused bf, wanting a cup of water instead. This is fine with me as perhaps we could move towards night weaning which might (!) help his sleep. But then I worry he's not getting enough milk in his diet. He refused his breakfast feed this morning too and I ended up giving him a cup of cow's milk, which I know isn't recommended before 1,but it's what his older sister has in the mornings so he wants it too!

So if you're still breastfeeding and not feeding much at night could you tell me when your lo feeds at this age? Thanks.

[BellasOrgasmicWalkingFoot]

Quick message as I'm on the phone. DD is nearly 12 months and she only has one bf first thing in the morning - which is what I'm doing right now! We dropped her bedtime feed around 10 days ago (she barely fed as she eats so much dinner, as she'd often sick most of it up as she was so full) and other than that she just drinks water. We have tried giving her cows milk/formula from a bottle or beaker but she's never interested.

I was planning on breastfeeding her until she's 18 month or so, but dh and I have agreed that I'll stop just after she turns a year as I want my periods back so we can ttc again. Plus, I'm not enjoying bf like I used to - has enough of being slapped, kicked, hair pulled, scratched etc whilst feeding x

[BellasOrgasmicWalkingFoot]

Forgot to say, we give her lots of milky and calcium rich food too. Milky desserts, yoghurt, cheese etc x

[chocolatescones]

When DD (13mo) was 11 months I fed her first thing, mid-afternoon and bedtime (and occasional night feed but rarely). Dropped afternoon one at 12 months and have her cows milk and going to wean at 14months completely.

Some days she has a lot of cows milk in the afternoon too, others not so much but she has a lot in morning and bedtime still.

Does your DS have cereal/ porridge to top up cows milk intake or other dairy products? I think they all count.

Oh also DD has been at nursery since 7 months and has had cows milk for her afternoon feed since 8mo as always refused my expressed milk. I figure she has a good varied diet and enough of my BM at other times, but know it's not recommended. Your DS is a lot older though.

[knittingbee]

Cow's milk isn't recommended as a main drink before 12 months, doesn't mean they can't have it as a supplemental drink. Formula is just modified cow's milk anyhoo!

DD is almost 11 months and has boob AM and PM, cow's milk at the CM during the day and a bottle of formula at night. Has done since 9 months.

[mamapants]

My Ds is 11 months and feeds much more than the others on here.
Probably at least four feeds and day and sometimes one in the night. Eats loads of food too.

[blushingmare]

Thanks all that's helpful. He's sick this week so it's all gone to pot But think I'll try a little more active night weaning once he's better as think he's ready for it.

[Littlef00t]

At 11 mo dd was having morning and evening feed and a post afternoon nap feed when she wasn't at the childminder. I soon dropped this about 11 mo though.

[squizita]

Sorry slight hijack ... my dd is 6 months and I just wanted to ask do you have to do/plan the reduction in feeds or does it just happen?
She's currently on the boob 2-3 hourly by day, 2 night feeds.

Wary of cutting down as she's a naturally small slow grower so needs her calories! But equally would like not to pump all day when back at work!

[blushingmare]

squizita - it happens pretty naturally really. Both of mine have done baby led weaning, so have taken a while to build up to eating a reasonable amount of solids. But even then, by 10 months or so the day time feeds have cut right down. I think it's a combination of them eating more solids and being filled up by that and also being too distracted to feed much during the day. I haven't had to work on dropping feeds particularly, but also we don't have a particular feeding schedule and some days he will feed more than others.

[squizita]

Oh thanks. Sounds great! Mine is coming up to 7 months soon, but still hardly eats solids. She eats but maybe an adult spoonful per meal!

Glad to hear it naturally increases and milk feeds reduce.

[mamapants]

Squizita it doesn't always happen of their own accord.
With dd1 it took until I was back at work when she was one before she started eating much food. And on my days off she'd always choose a breastfeed over food.
Ds feeds are getting a bit more spaced out but certainly not down to two feeds and day like the others on this thread. And that's despite having a massive appetite for solids.

[milkyway1304]

My dd will be one next week. Up until 10months she was feeding maybe 10 times/day. She suddenly started to eat and reduced feeding dramatically over a few days. I've been back to work 6 weeks now and she generally feeds morning, evening and once overnight. On my days off she will sometimes feed once during the day also. She hasn't woken tonight and I'm up feeling full and sore!