DS2 has been off feeding since this Monday. He did have the usual amount last Sunday probably due to the emerging effect of Hand, Foot and Mouth. He then woke up Monday morning with a low temperature and a big red blister on his tongue. He tried a few times to feed on my breast on Monday, but it must have been too painful to bear. He gave up.
Today it's Day4 since he's off breastfeeding. He plainly refused when I offered at bedtime/naptime, even though the blister on his tongue has gone since yesterday and he's almost able to have his usual meals.
He still wants me hold him to sleep at the feeding position with his cheek touching my breast (bare skin), but just not willing to try to latch on.
I fear if this is the end of it. It's more than losing the closeness with him, it's also the very tool which had been wonderful to calm him down whenever/wherever. It's also the dreadful feeling of having to introduce a bottle into the bedtime routine at this age. What if he doesn't want bottle either? Would he have enough fluid before bedtime/calcium to grow? It's just a lot more worry to be added into life.
I didn't bf DS1 for long due to medical issue. So I really cherished the bonding and convenience we had this round with DS2. Even though DH constant nudged me to stop bf. I insisted that I wanted to carry on until he turns 2 in spring - hopefully the pandemic would be put under control by that time too.
Has anyone had the same issue after the toddler/baby recovered from HFM? Is this the end of it? Do I need to get a breast pump at this stage? Would bottle still work at his age?