Breastfeeding and losing it

[smileygirl1995]

So my little boy is 7 months old he's breastfed and now on solids to he's been since about 6/half months so a good month just over but this last week or so I've noticed a real difference in his feeding pattern/schedule.
He is my first and I don't have anyone close who's breastfeeding there little one so I'm a bit stuck on who to talk to, I'm finding he's not drinking for as long it used to be 10mins on one and 5 on the other and alternate starting breast each feed, then it was 8 mins and 5 mins now it's all I can do to get him to do 6 minutes on one side and 2 or 3 on the other, is this normal I mean he seems ish content but I can't help that feeling of thinking it can't be enough and I'm scared my milk is going to dry up....?
I know it's not going to dry up over night but this has been going on for a while so it potentially could....?
What do I do? I've done the odd pump when I can but I can't seem to pump out so much pumping as I do feeding him but also don't know,
Just feel img a bit low and desperate with it and don't know if I'm doing something wrong...

It’s normal for babies to nurse for shorter periods as they get older. They get more efficient at feeding and don’t need as long to get the same amount of milk. Your supply will also have regulated which is why you might not get that much out with the pump. Try not to worry! If he seems content and isn’t losing weight he is likely getting plenty.

My son is nearly 1 now and since starting solids I rarely bother with switching sides unless he hasn’t nursed for a while and he’s ravenous, I usually just alternate sides through the day. He’ll nurse maybe 5-10 minutes max and then hop down to go and play!

Mine has always been what I call a ‘snacker’. She never feeds for long, certainly not from both sides in one sitting and we’re still going at 13 months and no issues with supply.

As long as he’s feeding regularly and feeding at night then your supply will be fine.

I second what pps have said but just also wanted to say that there's probably a la leche league support group operating in your area if you're in the UK. Might be worth joining if you don't know many other people breastfeeding. I recently joined my local group and its been a good source of support and there's a wealth of info from the leaders and other mums so it's a good way to get advice and reassurance and chat to other mums at similar stages!

This is normal and you are now reaping the benefits of bf.

When they are newborns/young babies they have to work hard to get the milk out and you also need to build your supply up which is why bf can be very difficult and time consuming at first.

But at this age, they are efficient milking machines.

Drdg yy

I breasted my dd until she was 2. She drank less once she was in solids but there were also times when she wasn't really interested in solids (eg when she was ill or when we went on holiday overseas and she didn't like the food).

At those times, she wanted to breastfeed more frequently and for longer. It never took long for my milk supply to increase.

Once breastfeeding is established, your body seems to respond to whatever your baby wants and needs at the time. It's amazing!

Bloody typos.

"I breastfed my dd..."

Stop timing him!

It’s not at all a good measure of how much milk he’s getting.

Introducing solids does make things change- nappies get way more toxic for example- and there will be days where he wants more milk and days where he wants less. Assuming no other health/weight issues, then offer milk, offer solids, and be a bit more led by him (or in other words, in the nicest way, relax ☺️)

I never timed any feeds after the first few days. Don't worry about that.

At about 7 months is when mine went to a 4 times a day schedule to fit round food. So I fed on wake-up, around 11 and around 3 and then before bed. With food at mealtimes. Swapped the two daytime ones for snacks around one year and the morning and night ones for cow's milk at 13 and 14 months. But could have carried on if I'd wanted to. Reducing feeds because of introducing food won't make your milk dry up.

Sounds like he's starting to self wean. Isn't that a good thing?