BF and weaning...

[MistressSeuss]

What happens to my milk supply now I am weaning my 6mth old? He is demand fed (bf) and we have been weaning for the last 2 weeks. He is getting really fussy during daytime bf, pulling off, leaning back etc, and my boobs are getting that really full feeling during the day for the first time (normally only night). He is only having really short feeds during the day.

The weaning is going ok - 2 meals a day, porridge and fruit am, savory in the evening and he gets boob before (mix of puree and blw, he can do the spoon himself!!)

Should I worry about a reduction in demand and subsequent drop in supply?

What should I do regarding timing of food and bfs?

And any advice of how to get veggies in without grimacing?!!

His wt etc is all fine

Thanks for any advice!

Okay, your boobs feel less full because the supply is regulated better by six months - it doesn't mean you have less milk. You actually have more milk than at 3 months but because your body is producing it more efficiently you don't have such swollen boobs when you do.

The pulling off thing, is probably a mixture of teething and 'oh my the world is so interesting, much more so than looking at mum's boobs'

His need for food is increasing and he will self regulate his food intake and your milk supply will increase as he demands it. Your milk supply will not suffer for him starting solids.

Continue to breastfeed on demand and add meals till you have three a day. Make them when you eat if it's convenient, it really doesn't matter.

Mix carrot and apple to get it in. A baby needs to taste something around 20 times to develop a taste for it. There is an inate preference for sweet foods - but that doesn't mean he doesn't like savoury, just that it's different (yes it is a grimace but that's fine, he will start liking veggies eventually once he recognises them).

You are no doubt doing absolutely fine.

Thanks wmmc - he liked carrot and pear last night (last ditch effort made me mix his pudding with main - cue him wolfing it down!!)

He hardly fed again this am at his 7am feed, - he last fed 1.30am. I think maybe the night feeds are habit? My poor boobs are so engorged!!

Ah don't worry, he will get there - DS is on nursing strike entirely at the minute and I had to express 16oz of milk because my bra actually exploded - the strap broke I was so engorged!!!! Mind you he did drink 4oz of it this morning in a cup (first time ever he uses a cup!)

We all go through worries regarding weaning - although with DS I am not so worried as DD was a complete pain so I know what to expect!

Why don't you express some milk and mix it with his food if you are getting too engorged, or freeze it?

wmmc - lol at strap breaking - I haven't got to that point yet!!

He fed better yesterday and boobs better today, but did express some to put in his porridge this am which was good!

Banana and yoghurt a success!

I hope the nursing strike ends soon for you!

Yeah, so do I - hand expressing 24oz of milk every twelve hours is a bugger !

Glad things seem to be improving for you.