How Often Does an 11 Month Old Need to Breastfeed?

Oh, I hear ya! My first-born weaned in a day at 13 m/o -- went from nursing before and after naptime and bedtime to nothing, nada, zip, zilch, zero. *sniff*sniff*

It may just be a temporary nursing strike (perhaps due to a cold or teething; in my case it was a permanent strike because I was pregnant and the milk changed), so it might be a good idea to pump in case he changes his mind. Even if he doesn't, you can always give him breastmilk in a cup or bottle, rather than switching to formula (which is inferior to breastmilk) or to cow's milk (which is for calves, not humans). He'll still be getting the health benefits of breastmilk and getting milk that is perfectly made for him, even if he isn't nursing.

Babies are good at getting what they need, so I wouldn't sweat it if he doesn't drink too much. Offer him to drink as much as he wants, but he'll stop when he doesn't need more. My two children are quite different when it comes to drinking -- my older son is like me and drinks lots of water all day long, while my younger son is like my husband and drinks very little. With your son eating food and drinking some water, he may not need much breastmilk, as far as for hydration (particularly if the food he's eating is very moist). Still, I would pump and give it to him to drink if he gets thirsty, whether he nurses or not.

Gosh, I don't think there's a good answer for you. I hear that sometimes subsequent siblings nurse less time b/c they are wanting to be up and about with their sibs.

It sounds like you are allowing him to nurse on demand, so only he knows that answer. At this point, he certainly won't go hungry, especially if he is allowed to nurse on demand and has some solids and water offered to him.

You never know, maybe he's getting some teeth, a cold, etc....

Wishing you both well. You sound a bit sad about it....I totally understand! You can always pump and donate for a month or two if you have a good supply. Lots of mamas will take your milk for their older nurslings. Check out Milk Share.

Good luck!

Hi R.
You sound like a wonderful and caring mama! How much are you feeding him with solid foods during the day? You may want to cut out some which would make him "reject" you less. Give it a try and I think you'll be successful.
Good Luck
Best Fed Babies
VirtualBreastfeedingHelp.com

He could be getting teeth, getting a cold, having a nurising strike, be crabby because he wants to get down and move around, crabby because he can be, because he knows he can 'voice his opinion' now, etc.

Its a strike, he will come back, just offer at his usual times and be open to nursing him off those times too if he needs it. Even if he nurses once a day at this age, he's still getitng all he needs, your body will concentrate the milk to give him all he needs in that one feeding. So don't sweat it, just keep offering and he will come back.

My boys nursed a couple times a day at 11mos, usually morning, nap, and bedtime.

My daughter did the same thing at 11 months. I gave her bottles of formula just to make sure she was getting enough nutrition. Especially if he is small, he is probably a bit too young to be on solid foods exclusively. Some say that weaning to cows milk is OK at 11 months, but I went with formula. I think she still had 4 bottles a day at that age. (plus solid meals) Sorry your little guy feels the need to pull away before you are ready!

Hello Ruth,
I think since he is weaning himself, he is starting not to need it at all, except for comfort. I nursed both of my kids too, it's hard when they stop but I would let him call the shots, and let things ease off naturally. Good luck!

At this age I don't believe they need to breastfeed for nourishment but you can't beat the bonding and comfort it gives to both of you as long as you're both willing and able to do it. I always wanted to breastfeed but figured (before I had my daughter) that my goal would be to do it for one year (I'm lucky to work from home). Somehow I ended up continuing to breastfeed my daughter until she was three! I don't believe everyone needs to do this nor do I think it's necessary - it's just what worked for us. By the time she was around 11 months I think I was still at 3 or 4 times a day like yourself. Eventually it went down to once before her nap and again before bedtime (her choice). I think we were both being lazy and it was the easiest way to get her to go to sleep. I was planning to stop once she turned two and then three (amazing how that happens) and then had no choice because I got a sinus infection and had to start serious antibiotics. I kept thinking she would be so upset when I told her we had to stop but she looked at me and said "ok" and never looked back. The point is - once they start solid foods they really don't need to breastfeed anymore. It's more a matter of both of you wanting to continue. I say keep going as long as your both comfortable and as long as he eats well and drinks water, juice, milk etc. He'll be fine.

As long as you nurse him whenever he wants (even if it is ten times a day or 4 times, or 2 times) you are doing all you can. He may be going through a phase (at 11 months, life is really fascinating because they are getting very mobile).

He will let you know what he needs, but I suspect he is simply distracted and will probably go back to nursing more.

What I do see is that he seems to be on a set schedule - did he set this schedule or did you? I ask, because the babies who nurse the longest do not have a set schedule - they just nurse on demand. I nursed my daughter till she was 3.5 years and my son, at 21 months, is still going strong.

Great job!
:)

Hello, He should be fine as long as he is having balanced meals. You on the other hand, might have a harder time with his weaning. Just joking.
Good luck with your precious family.
K. K.

Kathy has told you exactly what you need to hear...I wouldn't be able to add a thing!!! Just know that you are doing what is best for your child by nursing him to this age and he is just changing as he grows and his needs are changing with him.

4 times a day does not necessarily mean your son is self-weaning and there are ways to encourage him to nurse longer. He nursing first thing in the morning. That is probably the most personal feeding of the day for both of you. I know it is difficult with 2 other children, but if it is at all possible, try to make that a long, meaningful time for the 2 of you. Perhaps bring him into bed with you an hour before the other children will awaken and spend time nursing and cuddling. Not only will that be real quality time, but it will help to secure your supply. The rest of the day, when you do have some alone time with the baby, put him to the breast. Always offer the breast before feeding solids. Nutrition in breastmilk is still more valuable than what he will get from a few spoons of veges and if it a time when the 2 of you are alone, the time will be worth it. The 4 times he is nursing are typical for a baby his age. The challenge is to keep them going for as long as you can and to keep them as nutritive as possible. Many babies at this age are super distracted and will pull off the breast at the slightest distraction. You may need to find a room or location within a room with NO distraction (phone, pets, other children, photo on the wall, button on your shirt, etc!)
Also, depending upon his weight (you say he is small but that gives me no real info) as far as solids, if he eats an amount of food that will fit into your fist over the course of the day, he is probably getting enough. And if you can get him to continue to have 4 good nursings a day, he is doing well as far as breastfeeding is concerned. The idea is to maintain those feedings. You can contact me if you would like to talk more.
L., Lactation Consultant
www.gentelnurturing.com
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he doesnt need to nurse much.. he will likely continue to nurse morning and bedtime but give up the day time nursing sessions..