Is two breastfeeds a day enough for a one-year-old?

[snm88]

My son just turned 1 a couple of days ago. Until the weekend, I'd been nursing three times a day, plus solids (he LOVES food and eats three good-sized meals a day, plus snacks). I got food poisoning over the weekend, so dropped the third nursing session (before his morning nap) and now we are down to two as my milk seemed to immediately dry up at that time of day - literally a day later we tried to nurse and hardly anything came out :/ I'm just a bit worried than only two milk feeds a day isn't enough at his age. Like I said, he eats a LOT of solid food so I'm sure he's getting enough to eat. But is only two milk feeds at this age enough? Should I be giving him some formula or something during the day? He's been exclusively BF up til now, but I'm happy to introduce some formula for nutrition's sake.

Don’t give him formula. At 2 years old he can have cow’s milk. Most 2 year olds are not getting breast milk at all.

If he’s 1 or older he can switch to whole milk instead of breast milk completely if you wanted to. I was back at work when DS was 1, so we did a morning feed if he wanted it and bedtime feed every day until he was near 2 and he had whole milk or water for other times.

We're actually having to cut out milk at the moment because the doctor suspects an allergy. Nightmare as his diet had pretty much revolved around milk-based products 😣

He's 12 months old.

He's fine. I breastfed until DD was 18 months, but they're fine without it after 12 months.

Have a look at what non-dairy foods contain calcium and try to offer lots of that. Also a multivitamin is a good idea.

Is he waking at night? If not, then he’s fine. BFing isn’t like FFing, babies will take the same amount whether they’re fed twice a day or twelve.

Over 1s don’t need formula and shouldn’t have bottles. I would give him the alpro growing up oat milk as a dairy free alternative to cows milk e.g. for cereal. Also give him a multivitamin. And since he eats very well and is still breastfeeding I really wouldn’t worry.

Sorry I should have also asked if you’ve been referred to a Paediatric Dietitian? You can ask for this if CMPA is suspected. The wait might be long but i found seeing a dietitian was helpful after I was diagnosed

You really shouldn’t be breast feeding a 1 year old, OP! That’s ridiculous! Once they’ve got teeth, it’s time to be realistic and recognise that it’s no longer beneficial for them and is more about you not wanting to let go of the routine than doing what’s best for the baby. He needs to be on whole milk now.

I think you’re the one being ridiculous! Of course a 1 year old might still have breast milk - even with teeth!

Don’t be so bloody ridiculous! What in the world am I reading

I think you might need to brush up on your comprehension skills. The OP has already ruled out Cow’s Milk due to CMPA.

BFing past one has a myriad of benefits for the DC.

BFing also reduces the risk of some cancers for the OP.

WHO recommend BFing for at least the first two years.

It wouldn't have been enough for mine at that age, they were boob monsters. If you are worried then offer the breast a lot more and maybe try it in a darkened room with no distractions. They do get very distracted at times.

I fed mine to natural term (well beyond toddler age) so happy to offer my tips and tricks!

I think it does go in waves though, I remember a few times thinking mine were about to stop and then they increased feeds again.

Remember that "don't offer don't refuse" is a weaning technique, often you need to actively offer.