DS is 14mo, and until recently BF to sleep at bedtime, and 2/3 times throughout the night.
He is at nursery 3 days a week, when he BFs morning and when I get back from work, then at bedtime. Other 4 days, bf morning, before two naps, bedtime and during the night.
First week or so at work I expressed, but quickly my supply seemed to readjust and I didn't have any discomfort now and DS seemed to be getting plenty of milk and seemed happy.
About a month ago I night weaned him as broken nights were getting too much and I was at my wit's end. This was more successful and quicker than I ever thought possible and we've been enjoying several nights of either one or even NO wakings. He'd wake at about 5am and have a big feed - bigger than he ever did before when he was snacking all night!
However, this all changed last week. Now he wants to bf for AGES at bedtime, and often seem frustrated, like he's not getting a let down, and will sort of whimper on and off and bob his head while latched on, and when I take him off to put him down to sleep (when he's clearly just sucking, not feeding) he cries and cries and stands screaming in his cot.
Until a week ago he would feed, unlatch voluntarily, and point to his cot, lie down and be asleep in ten mins. Now I can't get him to settle at all, he won't let me leave the room, when I offer cuddles over the side he bats me away, but then puts his arms up when I move away. I think he just wants to BF and suddenly nothing else will do.
We've ended up offering him a bottle from DP which DS has WOLFED down, and settled on his own and fallen asleep almost immediately once I'm out of the picture.
So now I'm wondering if one of the reasons he suddenly doesn't want to stop BF is that he's not satisfied and is still hungry. I'm not totally convinced - I've never had this problem before, he's been a perfect BFer for 14mo, so I don't know what's changed. Its interesting that he drinks so much milk from the bottle though, so maybe it is hunger.
I was planning to cut nap feeds, then the morning feed between now and Christmas but keep the bedtime feed for a while after that, but now I feel that the only answer is to drop the night one and send him to bed with DP and a beaker/bottle as it seems I only aggravate the situation :-(( I guess am sad at the thought that I might have to give up our bedtime routines earlier than I expected.
Sorry - this has ended up being a lot more long winded than I intended...!