Breastfeeding and weaning

[saywhatwhatnow]

How often should an 8/9 month old be breastfeeding?

DS is weaning well and has never really cried for feeds so I just offer when i can, or is convenient, as I also have a toddler. He often feeds at 6am, 9am, 11.30am, 1pm, 4pm and 7pm. Plus 1-4 times during the night

I just feel like this is loads, plus food. Should I look at decreasing when I offer?

DD is 9 months and has three good meals a day. I feed after every nap (usually 3 a day), bed time and wake up, and usually once in the night.

So quite a lot of feeds, but they're all short now. The ones after naps in particular are more about habit than hunger.

No idea if this is right, though.

Ahh ok, so pretty similar then. We generally feed before naps as opposed to after but I'd say only a couple over the day are 'full feeds', the others are definitely more snacky.

I think that is way too much to feed at that age. I thought about 4 times in 24 hours at that age. I could very well be wrong. At my DS 1 year check they said 2-3 times a day only. Otherwise he is too full to consume calories he needs from food.

Should add, he is now 15 months and has 2 or 3 a day, but just for comfort before a nap or bedtime.

I don’t think there’s much of a ‘should’ or ‘shouldn’t’ with this, if you’re feeling it’s too much, for your reasons or babies, then offer less, if it’s working fine for you both, crack on. Food before 1 is just for fun, as they say, their main nutrition should come from milk at this time, whilst they get acquainted with different foods and explore.

I think you can just feed as much or as little as you like. At 9 months if they are eating well, I assume you can drop some overnight feeds if you wanted to and maybe a daytime like the 11.30am. But it’s up to you

There is no such thing as too much. At 8/9 months really the majority of your baby's nutrition will still be from milk, as it should be. Things will change gradually over time. Even with older children you often find that they feed lots when you are there but are perfectly happy with food and water when you are not.

I really don't think there is such a thing as bf too much at that age! Your baby is feeding when they want to and as long as you are ok with it, keep doing it. My 13 month old feeds about 7
times in a 24 hour period, with 2-3 night feeds and is a happy, healthy and cheeky toddler.

This is a useful weaning guide from a very well respected professor who is an expert in infant feeding. www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/amy-brown/ten-steps-to-laid-back-we_b_17518514.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cDovL20uZmFjZWJvb2suY29tLw&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAADfIr_ISjyXIAoZ4RgX10ddgsRPSi9RysuVVUZH8Gl8J9RQaO476i6aeqw4vtE6QZakfPaALMheedtV1VBZIWUPits2OZ2jjhq1y1xRI-5TDihxYAqi3FnYi_NBjoAFYyGXazhaBEHgIEhERbCVOCXzMMaPEBFuL8gJMt9r1M_JD

Thanks for all your replies.

Seems the vote is just to crack on. I have tried to switch the pre lunch feed for a snack but other than that just going with whatever he wants. He's actually reduced his night feeding over the last few nights which is great as it obviously means I'm getting a little bit more sleep.