Almost 12 months old and now refusing to breastfeed. Urgent advice needed!

[Suzihaha]

DS2 will be 12 months in 2 weeks and has not had a breastfeed for more than 4 days now. He has an ear/throat infection which we're treating with antibiotics. I could understand in the first 2 days why he stopped breastfeeding as swallowing anything was obviously painful for him.

Although he's still not back to normal, he is eating his solid meals and drinking water from a cup. However, if I put expressed milk in there he'll refuse to take more than a first sip. He is now drinking a little cow's milk, but only from a spoon.

I don't know how to encourage him to take the breast again; I lie him on my chest and he puts his cheek against it but refuses to latch on.

I'm getting desperate as I don't have the time to express more than once a day and I am worried my supply will vanish if he doesn't start bf again asap.

I had to give up bf with DS1 at 2 months due to PND and I was really hoping that I could keep going a lot longer with DS2 as I love the bonding and closeness it's given us . Not to mention it was a very easy way to settle him for bedtime/naps and in the middle of the night.

I have spoken to the GP and she just said to keep expressing until he took it again. HV have not been much more help either. DH just says it was probably time to wean him anyway and so doesn't understand why I am so upset.

Has this happened to anyone? What did you do to resolve it?

Maybe he's just decided he's had enough? You can keep offering, but if he's decided he's not interested you can't force him.

I'm sorry you're upset x

I can understnd him not want to feed with an ear infection. I offten had problems with DD when she had bad colds as she couldn't breath and suck at the same time.

Have you tired him in different positions to see if there is one he's comfotable in. Him sat upright on your knee mite work, that way there is no presure on his head. You can try feeding in any position as long as his neck is inline with his head and he has a good latch on your nipple.

This IMO is a nursing strike, not weaning - have you had a look at www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/baby/back-to-breast.html#coax ?

Thanks for the posts. I had a look at the links and might invest in an electric pump just to keep the supply going. Never heard of nursing strikes before...

Oh, just wanted to come back and say that 12 days after he stopped, he snuggled into my shoulder then attempted to latch on and we've been back to his usual 3 feeds since. (Now almost 15 months old)!

Aw glad to hear it worked out for you both and good of you to return to update.