Managing breastfeeding at 14 mo

[SummerDreams13]

Hoping for some advice on this unknown territory - basically I've EBF'd my 14 month old since birth and I think we've both enjoyed it. I have no strong views about keeping it up or stopping and have just followed her lead. She's dropped feeds naturally as she's taken more solid food, so we're down to a feed from my right side when she wakes up and a feed from my left just before she goes to bed.

She's seemed less interested in the morning feed recently and could take or leave it, I think. I had to leave the house before she woke up on Friday, so didn't empty right side, and then she fed as normal from the left side last night. I woke up this morning and right side was slightly hard and painful, having not been emptied in 48 hours, but she fed and it was fine.

2 questions:

1. If I want to drop the morning feed, should I just stop it and instead alternate sides for the evening feed?
   
2. As of next week, I'm going to be away for work for 3 days every week. Will I need to pump to keep up supply / minimise pain? And how often and from which sides if so?!
   

any advice appreciated - I can't find much info for this age group!

[ALongTimeComing]

Bumping out of curiosity! Have you tried calling your local breastfeeding support team?

[Luckystar1]

I am still feeding my almost 15 month old. I have, in the last 2 weeks, dropped the morning feed. It was his favourite, so he has a MASSIVE breakfast now instead.

My boobs didn't suffer at all, and at night I have actually tried to cut down to one boob but will alternate if needs be.

So yes, I'd alternate the evening feed.

As to the pumping I don't know but I understand that with such a well established supply you don't need to express as much as they'd feed but I genuinely don't know.

[Luckystar1]

Ps. Are you happy to keep feeding or are you trying to cut back as it may be a good time to start trying that, if that's what you want.

[jessplussomeonenew]

Could you unlatch halfway through each feed so she gets a bit from each side? Might be more comfy to keep in balance. I'm still feeding my milk monster more than you at 16m so can't predict how your supply would react, but I would suggest taking your pumping kit/breast pads with you just in case you need it - I suspect it'll be entirely unnecessary but gives you the comfort!

[Newquay]

Oh just saying I'm
Still bf my 14 month old - mostly from 1 side - and I got mastitis which was really annoying! Needed antibiotics and out of hours help. So just watch out that if you stop then cut back gradually as even though they are getting calories elsewhere - we can still get mastitis.

[SummerDreams13]

Oooh thanks for bumping LongTime, great to have some replies!

I haven't called bf'ing support as theyre incredibly difficult to get hold of, but might be worth a shot.

Lucky, I'm agnostic about carrying on but I do love the evening feed, esp when I have been away on work - snuggles and lullabies in a rocking chair are a fab way of alleviating the working mother guilt! You haven't noticed that one side is bigger than the other? That was my concern. And when you dropped the feed, did you do anything differently or just not offer the breast?

Jess, not sure I can unfortunately as the feed is only a few mins long and I think unlatching would disrupt more than help. Think you're probs right re taking the pump - just such a faff and was so happy to finally pack it away 😉

Newquay, that's what I was interested to know actually, if you can still get mastitis. Guess you can!! Maybe alternating on different nights is the best way...

[Luckystar1]

I have tiny boobs anyway and it all happened so, so gradually that, no, I haven't noticed any size difference (and I sometimes still do feed from the other, just not entirely).

Nope I did nothing differently, just stopped offering (he was NOT a happy bunny I can tell you). We tried milk and water but he didn't want them, I think it was the comfort he (and I) liked!

I have noticed however, that he seems to be sleeping a bit later in the mornings now which, if it continues, would be an extremely welcome and very unexpected bonus!

I didn't feed him last night for the first time ever. I cried. He took a bit longer to drift off, but was fine. So I'm hoping that this might be the beginning of the end for us!

[HalfStar]

I'm starting to wind things down with my 14 month old. We do a morning and bedtime feed and occasionally one in the early hours (if all else fails). Not sure what to replace them with, especially the before-bed one. She drinks cows milk but doesn't take much from a cup. I might bribe her with a bottle when making the transition.
I was ill for 2 weeks over Christmas and my supply really dropped so I feel it's time to wind things up, feeling ready I hope those aren't famous last words! Do your babies feed/wake overnight? Ds had been horrendous but is getting much better - still there are a few nights a week when she wakes and will not go back to sleep !

[SummerDreams13]

How anticlimactic! I just didn't feed yesterday morning and this morning aaaand she's not bothered at all I offered some cows' milk in a sippy cup with breakfast but she didn't drink very much, so guess she really didn't feel the lack. Just left for 4 days away, so hoping she'll be as chilled out about the evening feed.

HalfStar - DH gives goats' milk in a sippy cup before bed, might be worth trying? Haven't had to do any middle of the night feeds for months (thank God) but I do still find the breast useful when she's stressed out eg after jabs. Think that's one reason I've kept going - I'm not sure what I'll do without that handy pacifier!

[YourDaughterHasATattoo]

Still going with my 2.3 yo . She still has her bedtime feed whenever I'm here. Did plan to stop at 12 mo as I did for DS but she's having none of it! I love it really; great way to get snuggles and reconnect after work. I alternate each night. No soreness or supply issues - I miss the odd evening for work.
DD wasn't bothered to drop the other feeds at about 18 mo, but she's clinging onto this one