4.5mo not BFing... my milk's running out

[LondonNinja]

She is teething and won't take my breast any more (don't know if that is the cause tho). I had to mixed feed from birth as she was a CS and v small and lost lots of weight early on. Plus I had health issues that meant mixed feeding was best for us both.

Anyway, she has just stopped drinking from my breasts. She cries, looks at me like I am silly (!) for trying. I feel really sad about it. There's hardly any milk left now. Just drops. It's all going to dry up, isn't it?

sorry you sound so sad about this.

Mixed feeding from birth leads to early cessation of breastfeeding in many cases - you've done well to get to 4.5 mths.

yes, I think it is drying up from what you say...you could relactate, if this was important to you. Needs a lot of effort and time, though. Ask if you want to know more.

You will feel sad Londonninja. It's always sad when you know they're going to stop breastfeeding but you've given her 4.5 months of breast milk and I bet lots of mums in the same position would have switched to formula from birth when having the complications you did. You should be proud of yourself. 4.5 months is still much longer than most people feed for.

As she stopped suddenby and she's only young still this sounds like a nursing strike.

There are plenty of threads on archive about these with wise words from the likes of tiktok.

Otherwise you could have a look on the Breastfeeding Network site which also talks about strikes.

Good luck. I know how this feels. xx

I would say IMHO just switch...and after a week or so you won't give is a second thought. I think you should do what your body is telling you . I did 4mths and 4.5 mths respectively with my DS's and each time the milk just stopped... babies not impressed, happy again with bottle.

its no shame or failing and ...happy mother = happy baby

spidermama - I don't think this is a nursing strike.

Thanks so much, all of you, for taking the time to reply to me and for your empathy, too.

I did wonder if it was a strike but I know, just know, it isn't. I was in the shower and forced milk out last night, just to get some 'flowing' and I chucked a load of fenugreek capsules down my throat! It does flow a bit, but what's the point if DD just doesn't want it. She knows she will get milk in plentiful supply from the bottle, I guess, and what with her teething (and feeding less as a consequence), I feel perhaps I should just feed her the way she seems to want to be fed... The alternative is she cries and is distressed...

So, I guess I have to just accept it. She'll be hopefully weaning in six weeks so I will just have to look forward to that! I do feel sad but, honestly, when I fed her this morning (for all of two minutes), she looked as though she wasn't really enjoying it...

OK Tiktok. Sorry ninja. I'm obviously barking up the wrong tree.

All the best. xx