9m refusing breast- is it detrimental to NOT give formula, and just go straight to cow's milk and plenty dairy?

[bramblina]

I am not happy, he's teething and refusing breast, over 2 wks now. I am expressing but can barely manage 2oz per day, it's not enough. I just really want to avoid formula....any advice?

ii think that the amount you can express should be enough at this stage.
if he was starving, he'd for it imo

Is he REALLY refusing the breast, or just reduced it lots?

If reduced, it could be simply that he's got more efficient, has a reduced appetite in the heat, full up on other stuff. All of which are fine and don't require formula top ups.

Apart from your feeding concerns is he well? Is he hydrated? Is he alert? Is he happy?

He's completely stopped, I can hardly even get him in to position without him starting to fight me off! He's perfectly well, on the move and getting nosey (which isn't helping of course) Very hydrated too, really enjoying water from a cup which I think also puts him off as that's more instant.
Nickel, thanks that's kind of what I'd thought.
Shalli, what I wrote there looked like a rant at you but it wasn't ! I was agreeing then went on to defend myself!!

Nickel, he just cut tooth No 7 today so I guess we're out the other side? cakes, thanks, I need to get a more extensive list and make sure I really concentrate on it. He loves spinach thankfully and the sauce is a great one to make.

Is he allowed neurofen? Might help with the teething.

Sounds like he is getting all he needs from his food!
Never considered giving mine formula (all started solids 5-6 mths) weaned onto family food (veggie) and all fine. I get that you'd like to carry on bf and would have some benefits (comfort, immunological)- maybe he will start again in a week or so if you keep offering?

Thanks, I sahll keep trying. How long for though? It's really disheartening every time he refuses. My baby has grown up too quick. and I didn't see it coming.

My point was that why would you bother giving supplements f you won't give formula?

100 years ago if a baby stopped BF, who knows what would have happened. You presume all would be fine in every case.

I think your formula issues are a bit

And I speak as someone who didn't want to ff my DCs and didn't.

In your situation i would keep offering plenty boob, with teething pain relief if it helps, and not try to supplement in any way. Keep offering food but at his age milk is still the most important thing. Try not to pre empt problems. if he is really not taking enough milk (and tbh thats really unlikely for an ebf baby once feeding is established) then it will show up in other ways, like weight gain slowing down too much. Has he lost weight over the last two weeks? Any true lack of iron will show up as an iron deficiency, characterised by poor weight gain, lethargic and lacking energy, pale skin and thin hair and can only be confirmed by a blood test. A healthy nine month old is not going to starve himself because of teething. Lots of bf babies are very efficient feeders, so hevmay well be getting abfair amount of food in very short feeds.

Keep the faith, keep offering and read up about nursing strikes on kellymom.com!

It sounds like a nursing strike for sure. Babies don't self-wean at that age. Could he possibly have an ear infection too? It may be worth going to the GP.

Would you consider co-sleeping? He may be more willing to feed at night when your supply is better and he is half awake and not in much pain.