1 year old and breastfeeds - is she getting much milk?

[WestYorkshireGirl]

My DD (who has been EBF) has been doing the standard thing of dropping her feeds gradually. We're now onto first thing in the morning (6am ish) and before bed (6.30pm ish). Over the last week or so, I've noticed very few swallowing sounds I think she's sucking more than drinking and her latch is getting quite shallow (especially when I compare this to how she used to feed only few months ago). She's really keen to snuggle with me and doesn't wriggle so she seems to be enjoying it and the feeds are lasting about 20 mins, but I guess I'm wondering how much she's really having. She also doesn't seem to get drowsy when feeding either now.

I know b/feeding is so much more than just getting milk and I am quite happy for her to snuggle a bit, but if I'm honest, one of the main reasons I've carried on (apart from it being lovely is that she's getting lots of good things from the milk. If she's having a lot less milk than is it worth it I wonder? Just wondering if anyone else has experienced anything similar? I'm going back to work next week and it will be interesting fitting in a 20 mins morning feed and getting out the door for 7.30am.......

I think by 12 months most BF babies are having more solid food than milk, but I reckon it varies a lot depending on their mood, routine, etc ... it is pretty common for toddlers to go back to only having breastmilk (gallons of it!) when they are poorly.

But it might be helpful to know that even if she's having less breastmilk, she is still getting the protection from illnesses because the immune factors in breastmilk get more concentrated as your baby grows older.

Hmmm my DS (9 months) is poorly at mo and we had doc out this evening. He is EBF but on 3 meals a day. The doctor said his illness was due to his protection and immunity fromme wearing off. I proudly said 'well actually no as I'm still BFing him' - to which he said the effect is now negligible! Not sure what to make of that...

Thanks both for your feedback. Will see how we get on when I go back to work!

My DD is 23 months. We've had phases where she feeds for hardly any time at all and I wonder if she's getting anything and if she's about to stop and then phases where she goes back to 'proper' drinking. It seems to come and go for her and as I'm happy to go with it it hasn't been a problem.

Ohnoredundo that doesn't sound right to me - perhaps your GP doesn't know much about breastfeeding beyond the first couple of months? Maybe you could print some things out for him/her next time you go in?! I'm sure we could all direct you to multiple studies that show how beneficial breastfeeding is in terms of protection from and recovery from illness up to and well beyond the age of two...