13 month old frequent feeder/fluids

[ZigZagWanderer]

My DS still feeds around 6 times a day and a couple of times at night.
He eats 3 meals a day and snacks between occasionally, he doesn't drink much, his appetite is quite small.
Does anyone else have a 13 month old that breastfeeds this much?
HV has always tried to get me discourage the feeds when weaning, but he has always had other plans.
I'm also worried that he doesn't drink enough water.
Sorry I'm typing and supervising so can't type much.
thanks

[formallyknownasloveydarling]

Hi I just posted about my 13 mo at exactly the same time. Until 2 weeks ago he was just as you describe. It was driving me mad as I felt we were joined at the hip. I have worked really hard over the last 2 weeks to cut down massively on day time feeding and it has had a really positive effect on little ones eating and drinking. It was also MUCH easier than I thought and didn't really involve any crying, just a little bit of distraction.
I feel silly I didn't try it before tbh.

[Snusmumriken]

Hello,
My year old DS brestfeeds more than that. He hardly drinks water at all. I have not been concerned about it at all. Although, I am not trying to wean him.

Breast milk is much better than water!

Kellymom has some good articles about feeding toddlers. Sorry. Can't link, on iPad.

[mawbroon]

Both mine fed way more often than that at 13months.

It's only a problem if you feel it is, otherwise it sounds fine!

[ZigZagWanderer]

I guess it's ok really as I'm a SAHM, the frequency isn't much of an issue, but it does become tiring.
I've tried to cut it down on advice from HV but he wrestles me for it like its crack or something and he's desperate to get it, he bites my top and tries to rip it open. So I've just gone back to demand feeding plus meals.
I guess I just need reassurance that it's normal to feed this much at his age.
Two very different posts, thank you for replying.

[ZigZagWanderer]

Sorry 3 posts thank you, feel better.

[ZigZagWanderer]

Oh, forgot, his nappies are much drier than than they were a couple of weeks ago, he's just got over an ear infection and wet nappies have reduced since, is this a supply issue? As far as I know he feeds the same amount. He fed non stop when poorly.

[Snusmumriken]

You HV sounds odd. Why would s/he advise you to cut down on breast-feeding?
Why don't you call LLL or another brestfeeding organisation for advice if you are really worried- and ignore the HV.
Good luck.

[Snusmumriken]

Your HV......

[formallyknownasloveydarling]

Oh I think that's quite normal advice from the medical profession. My pead gave me the same advice last week. It's just a different way of thinking, that's all.

[ZigZagWanderer]

I've had 3 medical professionals talk to me as if they disapprove of the way I do things and have tried to get me to wean him off the breast. Also tried to get me to do CC. Eeek!
I won't do it!
Yes I shall email LLL, thanks.

[Snusmumriken]

I am sorry to hear that ZigZag. Good on you for ignoring them.
You can call LLL 24 hours a day if you would like to talk to someone. They are very helpful.

Good luck!

[PoppyScarer]

My 14mo is still going strong on the boob, demand feeding. When I say demand, I mean he wrestles me to the floor...I'm close to having had enough, TBH.

He is very "thirsty", like his big sister and DH, they all guzzle fluids constantly. My saviour is DS's water bottle. He kept using his big sister's straw bottle to drink water,so I got him one the same and...bingo. He guzzles water now too.

His appetite is normal-to-big (compared to ate-like-a-sparrow DD). But nursery tell me he eats well and he often clears his plate, and grabs the spoon off me to feed himself.

On balance, I think if you are fine with him continuing, it's fine. He may be teething or a bit unwell, in which case the boob is always going to be preferred. Even my boy goes off his food for a few hours when his teeth hurt!

Good luck. Ignore the hv's and co.

[MumsKnitter]

Ignore the professionals! World Health Organisation recommends breastfeeding until age 2. Do what feels right to you and your baby. I have an almost 12 month old who feeds before and after two naps, and bedtime, and at 6am... and as he has a cold at the moment random additional feeds. I saw my HV yesterday, and she complimented me on all the antibodies he'll be getting. She did check that he was happy to eat food too (which he is). My baby has started to lift my top when he'd like some extra, and I'm fine with that. He hardly drinks anything else, though I always offer a drink in a cup at mealtimes. I just don't see a problem with it. He'll stop when he wants to (and if he doesn't I'll choose to stop at around second birthday). I think it's very much a personal choice.

[ZigZagWanderer]

Mums yes I agree. It's seems there are so many opinions in the NHS.
My Ds isn't big on food but it makes no difference if he has had milk or not, I think it's just the way he is.