1yo not interested in bf anymore- ???

[Mampig]

Just that really- ds not keen on bf, takes a couple of sucks and comes off again. I'm working full time and usually fed am, when I got home, pm and through the night. This past week, he just wants a little through the night, and even that wouldn't be much. He's getting plenty of solids and calcium through that, but bf about more than just calcium. I attempted cows milk in a bottle, but refused that too- surely he's too young to be self weaning, and I'm not convinced its a strike either. Any ideas, should I continue to offer, or wait to he asks? Also would I need to be expressing or just leave it and see what happens?? Advice would be great!!!

do you know how much liquid/food he's taking during the day?

My nursery write it all down in a book for me, including nappy changes etc.

It may be a strike, but I would just keep offering and monitor over the next few days.

If you're worried about decreasing supply, you could always express a little but it should only take 24-48 hours for the supply to adjust.

I think, (but worth checking) that with BF so well established, you shouldn't have an issue in losing too much milk.

Thanks, he takes a good 2meals and around 2 snacks, then a dinner at home, so I know he's probably not hungry for it. But I think the problem is mine- I'm not ready to stop!! I'll try not to worry too much, I think it's because bm is so good for them, that I'd like him to be getting some, but can't force him either

You could try some of the tricks that work for newborns- lots of skin-to-skin, maybe taking a bath together or having a mini babymoon. That might encourage him to BF maybe. Is he teething? It might be painful for him to BF and that might be why he's coming off so quickly.

Aw feel for you. I was in exactly the same position in April. My dc4 was 14 months and one morning he just refused and despite lots of great advice from truthsweet (skin on skin, baths, regular low pressure/stress access to the boob-pretty tricky on half term with three others to look after) on here I sadly never got him to feed again.

At least your ds will latch on, my ds just looked at my boob and screamed. I did express for a week or so at his normal feed time in case he started to feed again. I put the ebm in a sippy cup which he would happily take.

I was so sad as he is our last baby, but now time has passed I have come to terms with it and he happily downs a beaker of cows milk. Fingers crossed your ds changes his mind and becomes a boob monster

four4me, that's my position too, last baby ( number 4 too!). At least it's his terms and not mine I suppose, but it does sadden me. I'll express some for his beaker, but won't give up trying just yet .

When my DS wakes up at some ungodly hour of the morning, we always have a a cuddle and he has a breastfeed in bed with me.

Do you do this, or could you try?

It's about the only calm moment in his day (he's 18 mths) and after that he's faaaar to busy to stop for a cuddle or feed with his mum!

I wish you well and offer some non-mumsnetty hugs. In someways, if he is self-weaning it will be a gentle process for him. (just hard for you)

Yes mystery I am doing that at the minute. He will bf during the night still, not full feeds, but snuggly times... Conscious though that he should probably be sleeping thru at his age though ( although I know not always the case- just thinking bad habits and all that). Still, I'm clinging to that, and won't be stopping it if he doesn't!

don't worry about the sleeping through if you're coping with being up! I know people who happily bf their toddlers through the night still, because that's when they want to feed. and don't worry about bad habits either, it's about what works best for both of you!

Thank u so much! All of this is beyond the experience of anyone else I know in RL, so it really helps to relate to people like yourselves! I'm secretly jealous of the boob monster babies!!!