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Infant feeding

Why has each feed turned into a battle? (9mo)

9 replies

TittyBojangles · 08/08/2011 19:06

I am bf my 9mo DS and every feed seems to now involve him shouting/screaming/writhing/fighting me. He has never been a feed to sleep baby, ever and feeds have always been short. I am Envy of those women cuddled up on the sofa feeding for half an hour, I have NEVER had that (though I know there are pros to quick feeders).

Anyway, he never seems to latch on for long enough to get a let down, its not that I can't feel the let down, I haven't for ages, but I can hear his swallowing and he doesn't often really get to drinking properly iyswim. Usually his middle of the night feed is fine and occasionally the one in the morning. But any times I offer during the day I feel like I am trying to force feed him, and even the before bed feed is now getting really difficult. Tonight he has 'fed' if you can call it that for a total of about 20seconds.

Any tips? I'm not worried about not having enough milk/his intake really just trying to improve the experience for both of us. Especially as I go back to work in a couple of weeks and as he is a bottle refusnik he will be going all day with no milk.

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TittyBojangles · 08/08/2011 19:08

Should have said, I switch boobs, feed in the dark/after a nap etc, different positions, different times nothing I've tried seems to make a difference. Oh, and he already has 8 teeth and they have never seemed to make a difference to his feeding. I just want to get back to enjoying bf really :( Not giving up anytime soon whatever happens.

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Lynzjam · 08/08/2011 19:47

I can totally sympathise with you on this. My now 11 month old DD was exactly the same.

I used to dread offering for fear of being refused so I decided I would only feed her when she was really keen for it. This turned out to be first thing in the morning. We have been down to one feed a day for a couple of months now.

That's just the way it is for us! But it works, she is happy and healthy! Smile

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TittyBojangles · 08/08/2011 19:55

I had thought of that, but a couple of issues. Not sure 1 milk feed a day would really be 'enough'? Also I am keen to feed until he self weans, so don't want to curtail things too early... I'm sure he can't be self-weaning this early.

Good to know I am not alone :)

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AngelDog · 08/08/2011 20:59

Fussy feeding can happen when working on a developmental spurt. There's one at 8/9 months (37 weeks) and another at 11 months (46 weeks) - the fussiness tends to happen beforehand.

If you google 'nursing strike', some of the advice might help.

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TittyBojangles · 09/08/2011 20:21

Thanks AngelDog. I haven't offered as often today and he did feed much better (for him) this evening. But I don't really want to cut down too much as he's basically only having 2 feeds a day plus maybe 1 night feed which doesnt seem enough for a 9mo. I am trying to put faith in my boobs that they won't let me down and my supply can always increase if he wants to nurse more, but it IS hard when they never feel even remotely full (I know, I know), can't express and his feeding is so fractious.

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TittyBojangles · 10/08/2011 20:23

Anyone else? Today he has had ONE feed, just this morning... screamed like I was trying to poison him tonight when I tried his bedtime feed so I gave up. :(

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AngelDog · 10/08/2011 22:24

Have you had him checked out by a GP in case it's some sort of problem?

I should have thought to mention this before, but DS went on nursing strike for 12 days when he was 13 months. He'd feed to sleep for naps & bedtime & during the night as normal, but not at any other time. Someone here suggested taking him to the doctor and it turned out that he had an ear infection, and a chest infection too. I think it was only the antibiotics which sorted it out. He went on to get a V&D bug and conjunctivitis at the same time too, poor thing.

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TittyBojangles · 11/08/2011 22:56

I hadn't really thought about the gp tbh Blush I guess cos he just doesn't seem 'ill', but on the other hand that is pretty difficult to determine in a LO isn't it. I do think it is a nursing strike of sorts, but who knows whats causing it. Will see how his is tomorrow and maybe take him to the GP, thanks. x

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AngelDog · 11/08/2011 22:57

Me neither before someone suggested it. DS didn't have any other symptoms that I could spot - no temperature and he seemed as happy as normal.

Hope it sorts itself out whichever way. :)

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