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Weaning

Find weaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Weaning forum. Use our child development calendar for more information.

11 month old still breastfeeding around the clock

6 replies

Sqweks · 16/06/2024 14:28

Help I'm looking for advice about a) whether this is normal and b) how to cut down on breastfeeding and replace with food.

I have a nearly 11 month old who still wants to breastfeed at least 3 hourly - day and night - and who takes big feeds each time. He is generally pretty uninterested in solid food, mostly eating small amounts, often nothing at all just shouting and crying until I pick him up and breatsfeed him. If I try to withold the milk he is unsettled and shouty and won't be put down to play. The only things he will reliably always eat is fruit.

Overnight if I withold a feed he will cry for up to 2 hours unable to be soothed by other means. He will sometimes try and feed 2 hourly which I find extremely stressful.

He refuses to take a bottle

I am feeling extremely burned out and trapped by it and worried about how he (and I) will cope when I go back to work in 2 months time. I have had next to no time away from him since he was born. Is this going to sort itself out or do I need to do something? How can I get him to eat?! Am I doing something wrong?

My first born was also exclusively breastfed but loved her food. I don't remember feeling like this.

Has anyone had similar experiences? Or advice?

Thank you in advance

OP posts:
Pippippip2024 · 16/06/2024 14:39

It’s so hard, I’m sorry I don’t have any advise. I breastfed my first until 2.5 and my second is now 2 and still wants feeding day and night. Sometimes I can find myself feeling overwhelmed but then I know it’s not forever so I try to savour these precious moments… Hope you’re ok 🙏

NewYearNewMeMamma · 16/06/2024 14:43

Can't offer advice sorry, but I'm currently going through this too. My DS just turned 11m. We're around the 3hr mark through the day as well as a decent amount of solid food. Through the night he feeds every 1-2.5hrs (but averaging every 1.5hr) I'm not sure if some of that is comfort but he does use a dummy. Refuses to take a bottle as well. I'm so tired and still trying to parent my 4 children, so completely understand how you feel too 🫡

CadyEastman · 17/06/2024 07:25

Very similar here. I'd start with some gentle night weaning and get him the book Milkes in the Morning. He probably won't understand much of it but it may help Wink

CadyEastman · 17/06/2024 07:27

Oh and forget the bottle. There is zero point in introducing a bottle to a baby who is nearly one. If you want to try getting them to drink milk other than yours try him with an open cup, a cup with a straw or some hot chocolate or homemade milkshake.

Catlikereactions · 21/06/2024 14:10

Going through the exact same here so whilst I’m following with interest tbh I’m trusting the process and just offering food at appropriate times not putting too much pressure on it, and hoping for the best! They change so quickly and I guess before we know it will be shouting for chicken nuggets ans chips

i may try a bit of night weaning though too

Sqweks · 22/06/2024 20:27

Thanks everyone for your replies.

As an update, he was weighed in dermatology clinic (as he has a birth mark he is reviewed for) and he had actually lost quite a bit of weight so we have been referred to a dietician. They advised offering high calorie foods like whole fat dairy, avocado, nut butters etc so the bits he does eat are calorific and have prescribed fortified formula (but so far he refuses this, argh!). She recommended 4-6 breastfeeds a day and offering solids first including first thing on waking in the morning.

A little progress past couple days with the night weaning (offering less and less at each feed) and seems to be eating slightly more in the day, let's see.

Good luck to you all with it. It such hard work isn't it!

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