HELP! 9mo up, refusing bf...because I'm on my period?

[Mothigail]

My 9mo bf DS is a boob monster. Has never taken a bottle but has taken plenty of ff from a cup once when he went out with DH. Usually on three solid meals a day and 4 good bfs.

Last month I had my first period since having him and I thought he was off his milk because of teething or something.

This month it is much, much worse. Last night he didn't even want his night time feed. He's just got up and refused a feed again.

This totally, totally new territory for me and make me a bit emotional. No formula in the house, so just going to give him milky breakfast for now.

Doesn't seem upset...unless I offer him bf.

I'm on antibiotics. Would that be anything to do with it? Or is it just the period?

9mo is very early to be self-weaning, right?

Any advice welcome.

If he happily refused rather than screamingly refused, I wouldn't worry.

DS self weaned at about that age.

DD kept on until 2.5.

He never took a bottle, but, one day, looked at my breast & said no.......

He didn't take milk for another 6 months, he now glugs loads & it's DD that won't take any........

Thank you. So it's not necessarily anything to do with my period?

I think you should go to kellymom and search for "nursing strike". Would link for you but I'm posting from my phone. True self-weaning doesn't usually happen until they're a good bit older. And I wouldn't rule out your period being the cause - my letdown is slow and my supply dips when I have my period so it seems likely that hormonal changes could also alter the taste of your milk.

Thank you - I will take a look.

He has now had a feed after snuggling up and starting very, very tentatively.

I suppose he can up the supply once the stupid bumface period is over (he did last time).

I have been surprised at how heavy my periods have been, given the very regular daytime bf. No idea what's normal (I don't know anyone still bf with a baby this age who has restarted their periods...).

Yeah, mine were massively heavy at first. Suspect it's more to do with your body getting itself sorted after no periods for 18 months than the BF, because mine gradually went back to normal over a few months despite my continued feeding.

Can't find you a reliable link I'm afraid but I'm sure it'll be a passing thing, I had problems for a day or two max then back to normal :)

Thank you - it's always very reassuring even just to hear other people's experiences. I have no IRL reference points!

www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/baby/back-to-breast.html#strike

Little bit here :)