My 9.5 month old has always been a good eater, when it comes to breast feeding, but the past few days she has completely lost interest in it. Every time I try to nurse her, she tries to turn away, even when I try again later. I gave her a bit a formula to see if she would take it, and she did. She has been getting one bottle of formula while I'm at work, and I nurse her while I'm at home, just not sure if she is ready to wean, and if my supply will stop if she waits too long. My first daughter stopped on her own at 11 months, I wasn't ready for that either. Anyone else experience this?
Thanks for all the advise. It turns out she was on a 2 day nursing strike, and is back to nursing like a pro. I would have been upset if she had stopped.
My son also lost interest in breastfeeding when he was about 9 or 10 months. He would feed only for a couple of minutes. Only when is sleeping he will feed properly. It lasted for a month or so. Then he was back to normal feeding and continued till 16 months when I decided to stop. I also pumped when he was not feeding well.
My now 3 1/2 year old daughter seemed to lose interest in nursing when she was around 10 months old too. I was devastated because I wasn't ready to stop yet and I didn't want to have to deal with bottles/formula etc and had hoped to nurse her for at least 12 months until she was ready for cow's milk.
Turns out that she was just on "strike" and she regained her interest in nursing again and didn't wean until she was 20 months old. I can't remember how long it took for her interest to return...Maybe a week or two? On the weekends if it's feasible for you to do so, try to go topless so that your breasts are readily accessible and do lots of snuggling/cuddling with your baby. Spend lots of one-on-one time in the bed or in the chair where she usually nurses. Good luck, and hang in there!
don't give bottles unless a caregiver is caring for your child... pump if possible and google nursing strike. They are very common and happen about once every 6 months. Try nursing at night before bed - she'll be less distracted and more likely to want to comfort nurse.
Don't think this is weaning, it sounds more like a nursing strike.
My son is about to turn 10 months old. A few weeks ago he would not nurse for 2 days. I tried EVERYTHING. Nada. I wasn't ready to be done. He wasn't feeling well, and finally he started back again like a champ. To me, 9 1/2 months is too soon :-) I promise I'll be done when he's in school. Just kidding!!!
My son did the same thing at the same time. Just started refusing to nurse, but took formula from a bottle very happily. Kind of made me sad and feel sort of pushed away, but my ped said its common at this age. Plus my supply had gotten low, so I'm sure that was part of it. Just let your baby guide you, it was hard for me :(
Look for info about nursing strikes. Also see if you can meet with a lactation consultant. Five months is too early to wean. Good luck!
Can you pump during this time to keep up your supply? My DD nursed until 17 months so I had the opposite issue!
I remember my DD kinda did this also it was like she wad too busy for mommy. I would keep trying and probably at bed time she will snuggle up and nurse (I was a bad mom and always nursed my babies to sleep) I personally would not worry about my milk supply just yet. I still have a little and I havent nursed in a year! But, if you want to stop now might be a good time to wean her, except its cold season. Good luck, I am sure its just a phase.
