6 month old refusing breast. Milk gone!

[Whatsthatspookynoise]

My 6 month old started teething really bad 2 weeks ago and refused to breastfeed completely. He would just scream until he got a bottle. I would try and try, but now it seems that my supply is either extremely low or non existent anymore. I'm a bit upset as I planned to do it for a bit longer. Does anyone have experience with this?

Why do you think it’s gone?

2 weeks is hardly any time at all.

www.llli.org/breastfeeding-info/relactation/

Nursing strike? The milk won’t just go. Just try and latch him on as much as possible. It’s unusual for a child to wean at that age.

@Lockdownseperation I assume it's gone because there is no normal leaking and they aren't swelling like they would if I didn't feed him for a while. I did pump 5 days ago and maybe both breasts made about 2 ounces.

@Siennabear I have seen sometimes it can hurt the baby if he's teething, which is what I've assumed happened. It's like he's just not interested in it, which like you say is unusual at this age.

Sounds so hard :( I agree with PP that I don't think your milk will be gone. Your supply might have dropped but you can get it back on track.

A couple of thing you could try (if you haven't already):

• lots of skin to skin, just cuddling no pressure. You could have a bath together (less relaxing if he poos)

• keep your boobs as 'available' as possible. Maybe wear a loose top and no bra when at home. Let him pull up your top when he wants to.

• offer boob after a bottle feed, when he isn't hungry

• dream feeds. See if you can get him to latch while he's asleep or nearly asleep. Instinct might take over.

• carry him in a sling so he's close to boobs and being comforted by them without the pressure of milk

I know it's hard but try not to be too stressed out about it, he'll pick up on it. Just find ways to let him know that you're there and available for comfort if he wants.

Also sniff his head lots!

Thank you so much @withgraceinmyheart
I'm going to be starting these tips tonight. I did just try to feed him and he wouldn't even attempt to latch, just started wailing. Guess I'll have to keep trying. xx

I'm most like way off the mark here (I haven't breastfed since 2016!) but have your considered the feeding position? I fed each of mine until they were 3/3.5yo and at various stages they went off certain positions and would get quite grumpy if I tried to feed them that way

Ha, I’m an oldie (breastfed DD is now 12!) but agree with changing positions. Dd went through a stage of hating one boob but she’d be ok if we were lying in bed, so next to each other, not her lying on me, and I would just pop it in her mouth. Also it was just nice to snuggle, and rest! Good luck, you have done brilliantly so far, if it really does stop now then you have still done very well!

My DD did this. She much preferred feeding herself with a bottle. Never went back to boob.

Also (maybe a slightly left field suggestion) but check you’re not pregnant. My second self weaned at about 16 months (so older than yours I know) the instant that sperm hit egg...!

But yes, change position. And don’t worry about expressing amounts - what you can get out does not indicate how much their is.

Maybe hes just wants to have a bottle? I know its hard and its not what you want, but babies have a way of telling you what THEY want....