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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

7 month old refusing the breast in daylight..

5 replies

slumberhungry · 27/05/2012 21:22

Hello and help! My 7 month old DS has started refusing the breast in the daytime. He was feeding first thing, around 11 and around 3 but he has had zero interest in the 11 and 3pm feeds in the last couple of days. (11 and 3 was very approximate and they happened when he 'asked' for them). He has been ebf and refuses the bottle.

I'm worried he'll be dehydrated in this weather, not to mention that I'd thought it'd be his main nutritional intake for a while longer.. (He's still having wet nappies, but not nearly as wet as a few days ago. He's still very alert and content and I've been letting him play with a sippy cup of water at meals and after he refuses the breast).

He's weaned, is on 3 solids meals a day and LOVES his solids. He'll eat a whole weetabix at breakfast some mornings. He's also feeding usually 3 or 4 times overnight between 7pm and 7am, including the bedtime feed. (He goes from about 7am to 1am soundly, but then wakes every couple of hours and feeds after that).

I've tried taking him to a quiet room in the day time where there's no one else and no other distraction, but it doesn't seem to help. Until a few days ago I could also give him his bedtime feed in the bathroom while my 3yr old was playing in the bath. He'll now only feed once we're in the bedroom.

I'm pretty sure he should still need the daytime feeds. WWYD? Feed less at night (not sure if that'll work at the moment!)? give less solids? Keep taking to a darkened room in the daytime to feed (not hugely practical!)?

This is my second baby, but my first never refused a breastfeed until the day she decided she was done (around a year old) and weaned herself overnight.. I'm very confused as to what to do!

I should also say that my 7 month old is a bruising 90th centile fella so I'm not worried about his weight although wouldn't want to see him dropping centiles.

OP posts:
lorisparkle · 27/05/2012 21:40

My DS1 stopped BF in the day at 4 months unless in a dark, quiet room when he was sleepy! As he was my first I just went with this and found out it was fairly common. My DS2 was happy to have a BF at any time. DS3 started refusing BF in the day at about 8 months then suddenly started wanting them again at 11 months as I was going back to work!

I personally would continue to feed on demand, continue with offering water during the day and not worry. Children have a tendency especially at this age to take what they need. It may also be worth talking to your HV if you are concerned.

sc2987 · 27/05/2012 21:42

Breastmilk should be their main source of nutrition till at least a year old. He might be getting enough from the night time feeds, but it seems unlikely he would drop all the daytime ones (even allowing for extra distraction as they get older). Do you spoonfeed him? If so maybe you could just let him feed himself, and then he might take more milk instead.

I would also suggest skin-to-skin and carrying him in a sling, to encourage him to feed.

It's very unlikely that your daughter weaned herself overnight, by the way. Sounds more like a nursing strike.

kellymom.com/bf/normal/babyselfwean/

Jakeyblueblue · 27/05/2012 23:06

I wouldn't worry. Babies are very clever and he will make up for what he is missing in the day at other times.
My ds did the same at 7 months. It scared me to death lol! But in hindsight it was nothing to stress about. We co sleep and he continued to feed regularly throughout the night but would go all day with just solids. I continued to feed on demand and never looked back! He has always been in the 98th centile and has never dropped off so am positive he has made up for it somewhere.
Plus, don't know If this applies to you or not, but if you are returning to work it makes life much easier! Grin

LaMeuf · 29/05/2012 07:41

It sounds like he's still getting plenty at night so I wouldn't worry too much, unless the lack of sleep is bothering you.

They can drop feeds quite quickly once they are on 3 meals per day. I know I was definitely able to wear a dress (and therefore was not feeding much during the day) by the time my last DC was 8 months, and she was BLW.. I would doubt you're overfeeding him solids. I would just chill with it for now.

slumberhungry · 29/05/2012 15:09

Thanks, all. V helpful. I shall just relax and offer regularly. I'd love to cut down the night feeds at some point but it seems to work for him and he's hungry for breakfast first thing.. Just wish DD would sleep later than 5.45! Grin

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