12 month old nursing strike

[LurcherMumma]

Baby normally feeds 1-2 a day mainly to get to sleep. I know bf after 1 isn't essential but I feel it's beneficial. I weaned my first at 20 months before she was ready, when I was pregnant so safe to say there are big feelings involved.

Last week I couldn't bf due to medication, pump and dumped for 5 days. He was REALLY hard to settle for the first couple of days then calmed down was just interested in drinking lots of water. Wouldn't take cows milk bottle or cup ( I'm reluctant to confuse things by trying his water cup)

Turns out the medication is considered low risk after all (that's another story) plus I'm on a very low dose. First night I offered the breast again he tried to latch and kept coming off really quickly. Then got upset and stopped trying. Now he won't even try and actually runs away when I get my boob out. He has a mouth ulcer, possibly hand foot and mouth that is clearing up but probably responsible for his pain.

Today marks 7 days since he last bf and he's showing no interest. I'm doing 1 pumping session and 1 hand expressing to keep my supply up but I've not actually got any expressed milk in him. I am TERRIFIED of getting mastitis as I had a really bad bought with my first and ended up in hospital.

I'm not getting much support irl because those close to me think this is "a good time to stop". (Plus my hormones are turning me into a monster over this so I'm probably not nice to be around.

I'm gutted. Has anyone been through similar or could share some advice. I've been determined to keep it going but I wonder how long before I
give up.

Is this really a nursing strike or have I just weaned him by accident.

Can you use the expressed milk in food instead? Even if temporarily.
I'm afraid I also thought it sounds like a good point to stop but I totally appreciate theres a lot wrapped up in this. It has to work for you both, but maybe he'll come back when hes feeling better.

Afraid I dont know much about mastitis but believe it's less likely at this stage than the early days, though still a risk when dropping feeds - i think just keep going what youre doing and reduce gradually if you do stop.

Good luck

I breast fed my first and third for 14 months and 16 months respectively. My second stopped at 12 months and was much more interested in grabbing food off my plate. He wanted the food his brother was eating. I didn't pump, just let my milk dwindle. My philosophy was never to turn food into a battleground. He is absolutely fine. I never experienced any problems with full breasts because i didn't pump. If you want to pump and save, you could gradually pump a little less each day so the supply drops naturally, or, if you want to keep the supply going, you will have to pump on a feeding schedule. Personally, if he is eating a good diet, I would spend the time playing and talking with him.

It's okay to stop bf a 1 yo. He doesn't wabt to. He will be fine.

Thank you all. I think I knew that this was the end really and I'm completely heartbroken. I know the hormones are not helping here.
Those first two nights were awful, he screamed and kept grabbing at my chest and eventually cried himself to sleep. So I basically force weaned him then, I didn't avoid repeating how it went down with my first, in fact I did it even younger. I consoled myself thinking I would get back to bf soon and he would be glad of it but I see now that's not the case.

@Gotthattee unfortunately I did get mastitis at this stage with my first as well!
I am hoping a gradual reduction in pumping/expressing will be fine and keep me from getting it again.