DS suddenly stopped BF at 12 mo and won't drink milk

[Cuppaqueen]

Just that, really. Have BF him since birth, 5 months EBF and then alongside solids with no problems. We've gradually reduced feeds and as if a fortnight ago he was just having a BF morning and evening. Maybe 5 mins each side, then onto next activity whether getting up or story & bedtime. Sometimes a dozy feed if he was up early like 5am.

Then on his 1st birthday he just stopped! Evening before, bit me (not hard) and refused - fine, it happens occasionally. Still took a sleepy feed at 5am next day on one side - and then that's it. Has refused completely for the last 4 days. I've tried offering cows milk with no success although he has it on cereal, yoghurt & cheese every day.

I'm wondering: is it just ok to stop giving him any milk to drink at all? He doesn't seem bothered by it. I get lots of cuddles, snuggling in to my chest etc, he just doesn't want a feed. If I offer, he pulls away or batts the boob away. He eats like a horse to be fair - 3 large meals a day plus snacks. 85th centile for weight, 95th for height. So can he just stop?

Also - can I just stop like this or am I in danger of getting engorged/ blocked duct? I felt a bit uncomfortable yesterday (after 3 days) and hand expressed in a hot bath. Electric pump didn't get anything. Feels ok today.

I'm happy to stop by the way if he's ready. I'm kind of glad it was a surprise so I wasn't mourning my last feeds or anything!!

My first stopped equally suddenly the week of his first birthday. There’s not much you can do about it so keep offering water and cows milk. In terms of yourself there’s often a baby-blues esque crash when you stop breastfeeding so you might want to anticipate that, and watch out for enforcement bjt try not and express much if any off (I think I just did a little on the shower).

Thanks @Jenijena - I'll see how my mood is. Luckily I have friends visiting this week so plenty of distractions.

Did you manage to get your baby to take a cup of cows milk in the end, and if so, how much? Or did you just stop?

My ds was like this - never drank cows milk. Always since he stopped bf (around 11 months) drank lots of water. I offered milk for a while but he never drank it. He has dairy in other forms. He is nearly 4 now and no ill effects that I can see.

DD did this at 11 months. Nothing we could do - just made sure we offered cows milk all the time (along with water) and made sure she was eating lots. She eventually took up the cows milk about 6 weeks later and is now a big fan

Thanks all - very reassuring. He does drink lots of water fortunately!

Try goats milk.

I was taken to the Dr because wasn't feeding at about that age, Dr said OK as my weight was OK. When I was old enough to talk I could say I didn't like the smell and it made me feel sick It turns out I'm lactose intolerant, but no one knew that then.

I'm OK with cheese and a bit of milk in mash but not a glass of milk.

Both of mine had a clear gap between stopping Bfing and starting to drink cow’s milk. I think it was about 2 weeks with both. Try not to stress about it OP.

If he’s not drinking either though make sure he’s getting enough calcium and fat. Dairy in his food is a good source but also give him things like green leafy vegetables, dried figs, smooth almond butter and fish with bones for the calcium. For the fat try him with oily fish, boys can have it upto 3 times a week