Could 9mth DS2 be self weaning off of me? :o(

[burstingbug]

I posted a while ago about ds2 (9.5mths) not taking much milk from me.
He seems to have got fussier, swapping sides really frequently staying on for a few sucks. He will also try and feed at every opportunity again, being really fussy and short at feeding. When I don't give him extra water he hardly has any wet nappies 3-4 in 24hrs.
He guzzles the water when I offer it to him. Trying to get more calcium into him via cheese, yoghurt etc.
Really tempted on ff for the next 2.5mths before going to cows milk.

Please can I have your opinions and advise!
Thanks

could you be preg?

dd did this when i got pregnant with ds.

Have a look at this:
www.kellymom.com/bf/weaning/babyselfwean.html

No not preg, def not!

9 months is a difficult age, from what I remember. DS was a very short, fairly frequent feeder at this time. I think he just had other things he wanted to be doing and seeing. Is he still feeding at night?

Had a quick scan of that link, will look properly later.
He does still have a small feed during the night too. Only ever slept through once

bursting, amberjee on a thread i frequent alot is a bf counsellor. will prompt her to track you down with any advice. my ds did this exact thing at around 8 months and i did swap to FF (soya)but hadn't found mn at that stage so didn't know what else to do

Thanks. I do just feel like giving up, but I keep telling myself that it's only til August, then I can give up Just don't want him to be lacking in milk and going hungry & thirsty.

I don't want him to miss the mummy comfort

He's asleep now but I have made up a ff for when he wakes in the night. Unsure whether to ff or bf though

hi burstingbug,

i'll just dispel the myth that I'm a BF counsellor, i'm actually just doing a course to be a peer supporter, a sort of mum to mum helper to help women with breastfeeding.
i just posted on a similar thread you might want to have a look at www.mumsnet.com/Talk?topicid=1364&threadid=332976&stamp=070603093233
i'm wondering how long this has been going on for? i think its true that LOs have so much going on at this time that eating is low on their list of priorities.
without knowing more of your situation, i don't think giving formula will be the answer. it may be that he has got to a point where he is eating enough solids and needs less milk? they are also very efficient eaters at this stage so may only need a few minutes.

my LO is also going through a stage of little and often, i don't know why, but he just can't concentrate for long enough to eat a proper meal so snacks allthe time. he also doesn't eat outside the home, so i just have to make sure he has access whenever he wants at home.

sorry, i don't have any answers. if you want to tell me some more about what's going on, maybe i can speculate further.

9 months is pretty early for self weaning, i hear that it mostly happens after the first year. its possible that its a nursing strike which happens for all sorts of reasons, you can have a look at the links on the other thread that i posted.

anyway, its likely that your LO knows what is going on.... they are smart little creatures. its worth remembering that eating little and often will increase your milk supply so maybe that is what your LO is doing...

wish you luck!

xx

my middle child weaned himself around 10 months her prefered drinking out of a cup and asked for that instead

does he have a cup or a bottle if a bottle it could be nipple confusion, when fed from a bottle the baby sucks and the milk is there instantly when from a nipple they have to wait for the letdown to kick in so have to work harder at it, so babys then realise quickly that bottle is a quicker fix

personaaly I would continue BF him and offering him water from a cup

Ps. BurstingBug, it might help just to talk through the issue with someone. xxx

NCT Breastfeeding Line 0870 444 8708

Breastfeeding Network Supporterline 0870 900 8787

La Leche League Helpline 0845 120 2918

When I'm working he has 2 ff 3 days a week, 6 ozs each time from a bottle. I also offer water from a bottle, although he will drink from a spouted cup.

He's been feeding like this for around a month now

hi bb, my dd weaned herself at 8 and half months, to much to see and do to be bothered lying still. as amberjee mentioned babies are very efficient feeders at this age so a couple of mins feeding will give them what they want. your LO may be guzzling water because he is thirsty but doesnt necessarily want breastmilk because it is more filling. of course as a peer counsellor myself i would give you all the advice i have but also as a mum i would say give yourself a huge pat on the back for having got this far, but if you feel like you are ready to give up then dont feel pressured into continuing. good luck honey xx

Thanks iama, I resisted ff during the night and so far today still bf, he did guzzle 5ozs of water whilst out today. Very fussy feeding this morning, didn't bf him again till 4.30/5ish, stayed feeding for a few minutes, longer than normal though. Won't f him till before bed now.

Might try setting times to feed him, how's this sound?
bf upon waking 7ish,
breakfast 8ish and offer water
attempt bf at 10am or before leaving the house
lunch around 12.30 and offer water
bf around 4-4.30
dinner between 5&6 normally and offer water
lastly bf at bedtime 8-8.30ish
whenever he wakes during the night offer bf

Too much too little about right?

Hello, fellow peer supporters!
BB, my DD2 has been happy to go all day with bfing since about 8 months. As long as your DS is still feeding morning and night he will be fine. DD2 is now 14 months and feeds lots if I'm there but on the other hand I can go away for two days and she doesn't bat an eyelid - just has cow's milk!

I suppose I'm trying to say - don't worry about his milk intake if you're not keen on increasing his formula. You sound like you're doing fine to me and don't really want to stop bfing!

Thanks Laundry. I don't really want to give up just yet, would like to make it to 1yr Pleased I've got this far though. Not sure how I'm going to feel at a year though

BB that routine sounds fine to me, my dd onle fed 3 times a day at 6 months but then every baby is differernt. you may find that he changes his mind also from one day to the next. try it and see what happens, youre doing a fab job love, keep us posted xxx

He woke up this morning and his nappy was dry!! Not a good sign. May phone hv and see what see says. Surely at that age they should wee during the night

no real advice but wanted to keep this bumped for you x

Hv returned my call, says he prob is self weaning, and pings on & off for a really quick drink and to check I'm still there for him. No need for additional milk, just make sure water is available when I'm not bfing him. Said he gets enough nutrients from our family meals.

BB, not sure whether I agree with your HV but anyway it sets your mind at rest so that you can just carry on and see what happens eh?

BTW we've had a couple of dry nights followed by an almighty morning wee on the potty so don't stress about the odd one. Just a fluke I reckon.

I also noticed that he still feeds during the night which is when quick, quiet feeds get lots of milk in (not good for you tho!). Honestly with a good feed in the morning and at bedtime he's doing fine - keep those night feeds too if you're still happy to do them. DD2 has just started going through most nights and it's bliss but I secretly quite enjoyed our night cuddles.