8 month old refusing breastfed

[eggofmantumbi]

My 8 month old seems less and less interested in breastfeeding. During the day she'll have one or 2 good feeds but then even I try to feed her at bedtime she's not interested. She'll suck a few times then pull away. I've tried moving the feed earlier but she's still not bothered.

Last night I tried giving her a bottle instead (she's EBF and hasn't had one since her first week of so) she took about 100ml

She's walking up 3/4 times overnight and whilst I want to do some gentle sleep training, I'm worried she's hungry.

Has anyone any advice or similar experiences?

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Is she 8 months, almost 9 months? If so, all of this is pretty normal.

Although sleep training isn't really recommended yet, she does need those calories you're right, there are some things you can do. Have a look at ]https://kellymom.com/bf/normal/reverse-cycling/ at this article on reverse cycling]].

Could she be teething too?

[InDubiousBattle]

My dd was having hardly any milk during the day by 9 months, I was quite worried at the time but the hv said it was fine and just made sure she had plenty of calcium rich foods. Does your dd get through plenty of food during the day?

[eggofmantumbi]

She's just 8 months today actually. I don't think she's teething.

She eats loads during the day. She has meals when we do and will have a full pouch/ jar or equivalent fresh food at most meals.

I think because my first was a bit breastmilk crazy, I can't understand this!

[MarfaIvan]

Hi, just wonder if your child resumed bf at all eventually or just weaned off? My 8 month old baby is also not interested in bf during the day at all now, only in the evening, but she loves grown up food and exploring everything but as my first child was breast milk crazy too weaning off seems to be too early! And I would think that breast milk should be still at least 50% of the nutrition for the baby so not comfortable with her not having milk😬 would be good to hear how you dealt with it if at all :) thank you! Second time mum but not wiser! 😂

[Somethingsnappy]

@MarfaIvan, this was a while again so the OP might not come back. But can I help? How many feeds a day is your baby getting, even if mainly on the evening/at night? Does she feed first thing in the morning?

[MarfaIvan]

Thank you for writing back :) so she has milk before she gets up but while she is still drowsy so around 6 am I would say, then she can go without milk till 13/15:00 but would have breakfast and lunch and usually hungry at 16;30/17:00 and the feed before bedtime to relax I think. At night it’s more to comfort rather than hunger I think, usually she would have 2 feeds. But it’s almost like she doesn’t want to miss anything and absorbed in doing new things during the day and bf is not important. Plus teething. Other than that she seems to be happy and content apart from going to bed 😬 I must say that she has never been a great feeder unlike my first one and a slow weight gainer (26% percentile) but a happy child. It’s just recently to refuse feeds in the morning she during the day is a bit odd. Thank you!!

[Somethingsnappy]

@MarfaIvan, don't worry! It sounds like she is getting plenty still. About 4 during the day and 2 at night still; is that right? Babies naturally start dropping some feeds about this time, as they are eating more solids. And as you say, too interested in life during the day! Your baby is making up for the lack of daytime interest by feeding in the evening and at night. She'll know what she needs! Besides, their interest can wax and wane.

[MarfaIvan]

Thank you for replying!:) I would say 2, max 3 times a day (If I insist which I do!) and 2 times at night (which I am happy to drop but now in mixed feelings!). well, some babies wean off earlier I guess and thankfully she is not a newborn ;) it’s just such a contrast to my first one and all other similar babies in the group still like to have milk in the morning and after each nap 🤷🏻‍♀️

[Somethingsnappy]

@MarfaIvan, that's 4 or 5 feeds in 24 hours; that's fine! I know it feels strange when they start dropping feeds, but it's normal. Also, by this age, they have become so very efficient and quick at getting the milk out. Your baby is still getting plenty. It might be that she drops the night feeds eventually and picks up a couple more during the day again.

[MarfaIvan]

Thanks again very much for replying! Sometimes you just need to hear some reassurance and common sense :)) xx