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Weaning

Is DS done breastfeeding or just on strike?

4 replies

MedicineHat · 09/02/2016 01:52

DS, 12 months, has decided he doesn't want to breastfeed this week. He just cries and pushes away if offered. I don't know if this is just a strike or if he's done with breastfeeding.

He had been feeding 4x per day with no problems. I can't think of anything that might have upset him during feeds. He did have his MMRV jab about 2 days before he started refusing to feed, but he doesn't seem to have had any side effects from that, other than maybe being a little more tired than usual.

I hadn't envisioned stopping BF quite yet but if he's done then I'm sure I'll get my head around it. I'm just not sure what I should be doing. Should I be pumping to maintain supply? Should I continue offering feeds? Or should i be accepting that he doesn't want to BF any more? I don't really feel like he is drinking enough and it's hard to get him to drink any other way (bottle, sippy cup, regular cup). Any suggestions would be v welcome please. Thank you.

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ICJump · 09/02/2016 03:05

Self weaning under two is rare. If you are wanting to keep going offer when you can. If he's mouth sore he might like an ice cube before a feed, it if a little hot but not a full fever a bathe for the two of you might be good. Or even a snuggle in bed top off day

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SaltySeaBird · 09/02/2016 04:29

My DD self weaned just before her first birthday. She just seemed to lose interest and refused to feed off me. I knew she was thirsty as she was drinking water from a sippy cup and it was during a spell of hot weather. I mentioned to a friend she hadn't wanted milk for a few days and she suggested putting some in a bottle to try her with, I handed her a small bottle of cows milk and she downed it (having been a bottle refuser until that day). I was happy to stop as we wanted to TTC #2 and our last feed was the night before her first birthday (albeit lasting less than 60 seconds!).

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SaltySeaBird · 09/02/2016 04:31

I did pump for a few weeks to maintain supply which was still good by the way - she was never that keen on expressed milk though unless it was really fresh - would never touch it after it had been frozen.

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MedicineHat · 10/02/2016 00:54

Thanks for the advice. Now on day 3 of no BF. Still expressing a bit by hand but already getting less. I guess I'll just have to carry on and play it by ear.