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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Original poster

Eight month old breastfeeding help

18 replies

elloyellow · 24/12/2023 11:25

Eight month old only feeds at 7am and 7pm. These tend to be good big feeds, both sides.

Bow only has a couple of sucks after morning and afternoon nap. Won't try second side. This is in quiet and darkness! She cried and arches away if I try to offer more. It's like she's too busy and doesn't want to waste time feeding.

Not interested the rest of the time. Is this enough?

She has taken a breastmilk bottle in the past but hasn't been offered a bottle for ages. Should I be adding a bottle in or a calcium based snack?

She eats very well with three meals a day.

Thank you in anticipation 🙏

OP posts:
LemonRabbit · 25/12/2023 17:36

You could offer a formula/pumped milk/water in a sippy cup if you’re concerned about fluid intake?
Some babies do wean themselves off the breast around 8m.
I have a 1yo who is still breast feeding, but I remember she definitely became easily distracted around that age and I ended up only feeding her before bedtime and during the night (no day feeds). That was slightly later - maybe 9/10 months.
If she eats well, that’s great and natural she would want less milk during the day.
I wouldn’t worry too much unless your baby seems distressed. Perhaps check with health visitor?

OldTinHat · 25/12/2023 17:39

Both of my DC refused the breast at 9m. It was very strange! They were using cups by then though and properly weaned (long time ago, they're in their 20s now!).

Fipfop · 25/12/2023 19:24

I think there can be a nursing strike around this age?

Missscarletintheconservatory · 28/12/2023 03:48

I have heard from breastfeeding support groups and health visitors that until age 1 the main source of nutrition is milk so I’d offer more at other times, even a few small feeds to increase milk intake if possible. Would you try after the naps but not in the same quiet environment, a big of stimulation might actually help?

I would recommend an online or in person peer support group as you get such a range of experiences there that there is usually someone who can help.

Ladyj84 · 28/12/2023 03:51

Our twins were on a feeder cup at 8mnths and solids they only wanted milk at bedtime. They are healthy 2 year olds now. Same with the 3 year old and older ones they were almost done with proper milk feeding by 8-9mnths

ReindeerShelter · 28/12/2023 03:51

Milk is their main source of nutrition until 1 - if she “eats very well with 3 meals” then you need to be reducing the solids to up her milk intake as that is more important.

PinkMimosa · 28/12/2023 10:22

Don't offer formula in a bottle. BF babies take roughly the same amount in 24 hours whether they feed twice or 12 times. Plus BF babies do not need to drink anywhere near the sane volume of milk as a FF baby to get the nutrition that they need.

She's having two really good feeds a day. Just keep offering water with food and try not to stress too much.

Don't forget too that she will be getting some milk in those brief feeds. She'll be super efficient at getting the milk out by now and some babies only ever feed for 5 minutes at a time.

As always though, if you're worried, please do call one of the BFing Helplines.

Singleandproud · 28/12/2023 10:29

I fed DD for 3 years, it's far more likely that she's got an ear infection / teething pain / overwhelmed with holiday changes. Your milk is established now it won't be going anywhere, I was still producing milk a year after I topped BF. Continue with offering feeds - perhaps give a little Calpol if she has other signs of illness such as ear infection that might help her feed. Offer water in a cup or in high moisture foods to make sure she remains hydrated. If she is otherwise healthy and a good weight a couple of days of disrupted feeding will be ok.

It could also be down to the taste of your milk, did it happen after a change of diet - maybe something you've eaten over the festive period but don't normally have has changed the flavour.

Original poster
elloyellow · 28/12/2023 10:41

Thanks everyone. Baby does seem to be suffering with a cold and a bit under the weather so I think this has been affecting feeding.

Going with not stressing about it and keep offering. She has had some feeds over the festive period in the daytime which were bigger. I'll keep going as we are for now and not introduce a bottle or anything else. I'm always offering breastfeeds before the meal - as she is waking from a nap for a breastfeed and then having a bit of play before a meal.

I think trying to feed with stimulation as someone suggested, thanks, is way worse. She's not interested at all then! She had two older siblings and they are far too exciting!

She'll be starting nursery soon into the new year so that'll be another change to juggle...

OP posts:
PinkMimosa · 28/12/2023 10:52

Is she going to Nursery full time and do you have a plan? If she'll be 9 months she will probably be fine with a first feed, one on pick up and one at bedtime and having a cup of cow's milk if she needs it during the day.

Original poster
elloyellow · 28/12/2023 11:47

She won't be at nursery full time until a year. But she will start gradually with a couple of days for a couple of months and then increasing.

That's great to know she'll be fine with a feed at 7am and then on pick-up. I've been wondering how it was going to work. I didn't feed either of the other DC exclusively so I wasn't sure!

OP posts:
Original poster
elloyellow · 28/12/2023 11:47

Do you think a cup of cows milk would be okay at nine months? She's fine with it on cereal 🤷🏼‍♀️

OP posts:
PinkMimosa · 28/12/2023 12:18

elloyellow · 28/12/2023 11:47

Do you think a cup of cows milk would be okay at nine months? She's fine with it on cereal 🤷🏼‍♀️

Yea I ran it past a BFC when I started back to work and DC2 was bottle refusing. It's fine as the odd drink, just not their main drink, which would be BM anyway.

ReindeerShelter · 28/12/2023 12:41

elloyellow · 28/12/2023 11:47

Do you think a cup of cows milk would be okay at nine months? She's fine with it on cereal 🤷🏼‍♀️

Cows milk can be used with food, but shouldn’t be used as a drink under the age of 1.

PinkMimosa · 28/12/2023 12:57

I was recommending it as an occasional drink if the baby needs it and the OP isn't around. It's fine in these circumstances at 9 months.

Mielbee · 28/12/2023 15:21

elloyellow · 28/12/2023 11:47

Do you think a cup of cows milk would be okay at nine months? She's fine with it on cereal 🤷🏼‍♀️

The guidance is not to give cows milk as a drink before 1 so instead I would give nursery formula or expressed breastmilk to offer during the day as that will provide the right nutrition. I'd also agree with a pp that you could consider reducing solids to encourage more feeding if it seems to be continuing even when her cold is better. Formula/breastmilk should be the primary source of nutrition until 1. All the best with it!

ReindeerShelter · 28/12/2023 16:17

PinkMimosa · 28/12/2023 12:57

I was recommending it as an occasional drink if the baby needs it and the OP isn't around. It's fine in these circumstances at 9 months.

No, it isn’t fine. It goes against guidance.

At this age if baby is eating more solids than drinking Breastmilk or formula, solids need to be reduced to up milk intake.

Missscarletintheconservatory · 28/12/2023 18:12

If OP isn’t around then the baby could have expressed milk or formula. We left little pre-made formula cartons in the baby bag and in the car in case for some reason they were needed.

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