How long are your BF sessions? (11 mo)

[Sbena]

My boy is 11 and a half MO and I'm lucky if his supper is as quick as 30 min. I don't so much mind the time spent, but he keeps falling asleep because of the duration and we worked SO HARD to break his feed2sleep habit.

I really want to drop his morning nap because I feel he doesn't need it. But if I do, it will be a longer window between nap and bedtime and it's hard enough as it is to keep him awake during supper.

Is this a really unnaturally long feeding session for his age?

Yes, if you're not feeding to sleep. Why not give him an actual supper instead?

Also if it's hard to keep him awake til bedtime, dropping a nap is not a good idea.

It may take this long because at almost 12 months he has needs that milk just doesn't cover anymore - so he is hungry.

I'd give him solids, with maybe a quick BF session after dinner as a treat, but no more than ten minutes.

Well my 16m old is currently 15mims into a (usually) 40min feed to sleep so I don't think it sounds particularly long.

However he eats food like a trooper. How much is your DC eating? Unless they've self weaned overnight then 11m is very young to stop night feeds.

@MolliciousIntent it's not hard to keep him awake until bedtime. It's hard to keep him awake while breastfeeding. As it is, his lunch nap is growing shorter because he's naturally waking up earlier.

@Penfelyn If I take him off after even 15 minutes he starts sobbing unfortunately! Cutting his feed in half is out of the question - it's the only one he has.

@User0ne Massive appetite for solids. He never turns down food or drink. Night weaning is already done - it's been a long time since he's had a feed overnight.

Are you wanting him to feed less or just wondering if it's normal?

It is normal btw. My older 2 fed till they were 2&3 respectively and both had long feeds at bedtime right up till we stopped bf.

It is the hardest feed to drop and unless you want to drop it then you should just do what works for you and your ds.

Normal, their feeding is so variable at this age. DS3 will go on for 2 mins (up to about 10) or 40. Rarely in between!

Long feeds IME are about comfort and soothing rather than hunger. I agree that if you do not want him to feed to sleep then you should probably not do the extra long feeds. I don't really mind so I just go with it.

He honestly will not feed to sleep forever and it is such a lovely peaceful way to get them to sleep.

If he's eating well and sleeping well and doesn't want to feed less, why are you worrying about keeping him awake? Just unlatch him when he falls asleep and then put him in the cot.

Hi OP, I'm no longer breast feeding but I had the exact same problem as you. Worked so hard to break the feed to sleep association for naps and bedtime but he would get so drowsy while breastfeeding. I used to try feed him immediately after naps when I knew he wouldn't fall asleep again and I'd give a bottle in the evenings so it wouldn't mess with his last wake window.