Why is my little one suddenly refusing to be breasfed?

[SophiaMaddie]

My little one is 7 months old, has been fully breastfed until the end of 6th month. Started to ween. Got too much milk so I have started to express . takes it from the bottle no problem. when placed onto breast would turn around, away from me, crying and lifting herself away. GP has checked her ears, etc. all fine, no teeth yet. Was told to express and feed from the bottle.Health visitor said that the first six months is the most important to breastfeed and then it makes no difference if a child has or has not breast milk. Have you had a similar experience? Have you stoped breasfeeding ? Iam confused, not sure who to believe......
Many thanks xx

Both mine had funny moments due to teething. Most of teething pain seems to be before the tooth makes an appearance.
We got through it by trying to feed somewhere dark and calm.

Definitely get advice from a breasts reding counsellor. I can recommend the NCT helpline.

Good luck.

What's a Breasts reding counsellor??!! Damn autocorrect! Obviously I meant Breastfeeding counsellor.

Try the Kelly Mom website too, always full of good brestfeeding information. Sorry cant do a link on my phone.

Your HV is being an idiot giving slightly dodgy advice I think. There are still benefits to breastfeeding past 6 months. The World Health Organisation recommend it till 2 years! And the NHS also recommend it past 6 months alongside introducing solids.

What may be happening is your LO is beginning to prefer the easier and faster flow of a bottle, and is unhappy with having to work at the breast to get milk.

Expressing seems like unnecessary hassle - I would just persevere with direct feeding. Try some skin to skin like you would with a newborn, or sometimes feeding in the bath can help. Look on the Kellymom site for info about nursing strikes and you will find more help on how to get back to direct feeding.

Thank you all v much, will try your ideas.just tried the little feed,again no luck, little one pulling away, crying , not having it. xx

There are definitely benefits to breastfeeding past 6 months.

How frustrating for you :( do you have a La Leche League netting near you? Their leaders and members are generally very knowledgeable, and they have a helpline too.