When did your DC drop day feeds

[rockinghorse3256]

DD is now 11 months and is still having regular breastfeeds throughout the day. Whilst it isn't set this is roughly what happens
7.30am wake up and bf
8.30am breakfast (ready break and fruit)
10.30am bf and nap (she will not nap without bf)
12pm lunch
2pm snack try to give her this to stop a feed but she still wants a feed at around 2.30pm
3pm Nap
5pm dinner
7pm bath, bed , bf
8pm she often fights going to sleep and I end up giving her another feed. She doesn't fall asleep on me but it seems like it helps calm her.

My question am I bf too much now for a 11 month? A number of friends have said by this age DC only had a morning and night feed. The thing is she does seem genuinely hungry (she empties my breast). She also still has two night feeds. Also can you see anything wrong with what I am doing with her routine?
She went hysterical yesterday when I tried not giving her an afternoon feed. My concern is that I am going back to work soon. I always thought she would naturally reduce a lot of her feeds by now but this isn't happening.

What is your daughter having for her lunch and tea? Is it filling her up enough do you think?
My little one is nine and a half months and shes completely dropped feeds during the day/afternoon time, but thats only since I had to go back to work. Your baby might end up weening herself too once she realises that you're not there on hand to feed her.

4 feeds in the day sounds fine - I'd cut the night feeds before worrying about any day feeds.

Most under 5s still have milk during the day but - my 4yo still has a cup of milk mid morning and mid afternoon at preschool. If you're not there she will adjust to a cup and a snack.

My Dd is 15 months and still has plenty of breastfeeds in the day!

I wouldn’t worry too much about going back to work, she’ll eat and have water/milk and because you’re not there the association won’t be there to make her want to bf. She’ll probably pounce on you the second you get home though. Dd goes to nursery 2 days a week and she’s absolutely fine with no feeds there.

@PastaSauceHoarder I have wondered if she is not full enough but she always leaves some food. I always try to make sure she has plenty of carbs/protein/veg with each meal. So yesterday she had eggs and beans on toast for lunch and spag bolo with peas for dinner. I try to give her things like yogurt for dessert but she often isn't interested.
@childmindingmumof3 I don't know what has caused her to have night feeds again she has previously slept through

@TeddyIsaHe thanks that's reassuring. Do you have to express when your working to keep up supply?

I do express but only to relieve discomfort, not to keep up supply. I figure if it does drop then she’s had nearly a year and half of goodness and I wouldn’t mind her stopping, so a reduced supply isn’t a bad thing!

Ready break is far too processed. The starch in it is far too accessible. Stick to proper porridge oats.

I don't know what has caused her to have night feeds again she has previously slept through confused

Is she getting ready to walk? Lots of brain development = increased calorie needs.

Honestly the only answer is are you happy feeding her that many times? Bf isn't like formula it doesn't fill them up in the same way and the bf for comfort too (which is brilliant, duno how I'd of parented without the boobies!)

If your happy and she's happy then just run with it. It'll change in a few weeks ( and then again in a few weeks etc etc) no need to drop feeds unless you want too

@TittyGolightly thanks didn't realise that about ready brek. Yes you could be right regarding the walking she feed slot when she started to crawl.
@icclemunchy I love feeding her and would be happy to carry on. The only reason I have been concerned really is because I am going back to work (only part time thankfully). The thought of actually stopping altogether upsets me.

Alot not slot

Rockinghorse, your experience sounds similar to mine. DD was still feeding to sleep for naps and night time, waking during the night and feeding first thing in the morning when I went back to work at 12 months.

She coped fine without me and napped without milk for her childminder. I stopped feeding her for naps sometime after she was one and dropped the first morning feed around 18months. She gradually got more interested in food and at nearly 2 now has a feed before bed and maybe an extra one in the night if she wakes up. The feeding now is all about comfort and routine. She doesn't need it, but it keeps her happy and helps her settle, which is good by me.

So don't worry about it! Babies are constantly changing and will adapt well to their circumstances.

You won't need to stop. Just because of work 😊 you may find she 'reverse cycles' for a bit where she squeezes 24 hours worth of feeds into the time your together but that will settle too. Its a lovely way to reconnect after a day at work

DS2 was BLW, so he bfed when he felt like it. He probably fed less as he ate more, so from about 14 months.

@somersetsinger @icclemunchy @PerfectlySymmetricalButtocks thank you that's all really reassuring to hear I have been getting quite worked up with it all. I had been advised by family/friends just to stop one of the days feeds at a time and that I would have to deal with her being abit upset at first. I think I would find that very hard to do. In fact I don't think I could do it.

We all get bombarded with advice from all directions, listen to it all and follow what feels right.