How do you know when the babe is 'self weaning'?

[citymonkey]

What are the signs?? My babe is 8.5 months and as per this thread started being not fussed about milk esp at bedtime. I don't particularly want to stop BF at the mo (never thought I'd go for this long!) but it is making me question whether he needs more than I am able to give him?....

Self-weaning is normally defined as happening between 2 1/2y and 7y and characterised by an inability to latch due to change in jaw shape (this is from the growth to allow the 1st adult molars room to erupt) or a slow dropping of feeds that may level out a one feed every few days to one feed every few weeks (my 4 1/2y is at the one feed every 1-3 weeks stage). This slow dropping can take quite literally years rather than in the space of a few weeks or days.

At 8 1/2m it is more likely to be to be a nursing strike - this might be due to teething pain, a fright while bfing (e.g. loud noise or mum crying out at an accidental bite), illness such as ear infection or a whole host of other reasons. Nursing strikes can take some time to resolve (all of mine 3 have had strikes but all have been bfing happily again within 2 weeks) and patience. Low key offering is a good way to get a baby to down pickets as is skin to skin, co-bathing and offering when baby is sleepy (either before a nap or on waking).

Lots of info on nursing strikes here.

Yes, I agree that it is a nursing strike- around 9 months seems to be a really common time for them but most mothers find they are able to get their baby back to the breast by trying some of the things in the link TruthSweet posted. Good luck! :)

nothing to add, but completely agree that it sounds like a nursing strike. Good luck xx