Will she ever drop breastfeeds?

[alyson25]

First time post here but wondered if anyone can help or reassure. DD is nearly 11 months and has always been bf, we've also been doing BLW since 6 months. When she was little I obviously fed on demand approx 12 times during day and maybe 3 at night. Generally speaking she's slept through from 4 months (odd nights of waking randomly for a feed) and now usually wakes around 4.30/5.00 for her first feed of day then goes back to sleep.

BUT I am still feeding her 12 times a day!! She has three meals and water but shows no sign of dropping any milk feeds. Everyone I know has there baby down to 3 or 4 feeds a day. Do I go with the flow and be thankful I'm not going back to work or try and intervene when she reaches a year old?? Any advice gratefully received.

Ds1 was the same at that age but he was hardly eating any food so definitely needed the milk. It wasn't until I went back to work part time and he went to nursery 3days a wk that he started eating properly and then stopped asking to bf so much. I think by 13/14mths he was down to 2 feeds a day and then stopped totally at 18mths.

Perhaps you could offer her a snack (breadsticks/rice cakes/fruit/cheese that sort of thing) and some water between meals before you offer the breast? Ds1 (3.5) still can't go without eating something at least every 2hrs so he still has a mid morning snack and an afternoon snack.

DS1 and DS2 were similar, but I weaned both very easily at around 12-13 months.

However, DD is now 14 months and refuses to drink through any other method (won't take beaker, bottle etc.) so I am still bf her! She has cut right down to only 2-3 times a day though (but more at night).

Is there anyone else who can take her out for a morning or a day? Being near you will remind her of milk on tap, but getting used to spending time when that's not available can help break the pattern.

It is totally up to you, if you hare happy with the feeding then just go with the flow .

Once she is 12 months you can offer the solids and then the bf, so she may take a little less then.

Thanks for your advice, I feel better knowing it's not just us. I'll probably go with the flow till she's 1 and can have some cow's milk and then just shift the emphasis onto solids first. I must assume she knows what she's doing!