How much milk through the weaning process?

[newtothenet]

I'm currently doing BLW with my 8 month old dd and she loves food and is eating a good three meals a day. She is breast fed and currently has four feeds in the day and one at night.

I know that at some point she'll drop to only having milk in the morning and evening, and then only in the evening, and then not at all, but I have no idea when these things happen!

Does anyone know of a website or chart (or personal experience) that can give me a rough guide?

I was thinking of buying the womanly art of breast feeding book to see if that would clarify things - has anyone read it?

Just when I felt comfortable with breast feeding, now we're on to the next thing and I'm feeling lost and confused!

Thank you!

I've read that they should have about a 500-600ml (about a pint) per day until 12 months, and then 12oz/350ml after that. Five feed sounds about right atm, it's best to reduce her feed gradually as breastmilk is so good for them

Thank you!

There is no recommendation or "normal". DS is 28 months and still on a morning and night breast feed. Some of his friends have dropped it altogether, some have just evening, and one is still snacking on BM several times a day.

Take the lead from your baby - the worst thing I ever did was to listen to a HV who told me at 8 months DS should only have 3 bf every 24 hours. He was starving and angry. What works for one baby doesn't work for all.

Remember that breast milk is closeness and affection too. Your baby may not need it physically, but to withhold could be emotionally upsetting. However, if you're not around they can go without at this age.

That's really helpful, thank you everyone. I suppose I just needed some reassurance that what I'm doing is ok. I'll continue to offer the breast as often as I currently do until she refuses a feed consistently. But it's good to know that she can go without during the day as I'll be back to work in a few months.

I really hope that at some point the number of feeds does reduce. My almost 8mo Twins still feed 5 times a day and about three times a night. I am tired .

The amount of food they take has massively increased this week (8 massive pasta twirls each this evening for dinner plus melon plum and Greek yog) but no sign in a drop in bfs . I am happy enough to follow their lead but I am starting to chafe slightly at my inability to go anywhere.