2 1/2 Week Nursing Strike--will Take Bottle Though

I'm going to offer an answer from another point of view. Please forgive my opening question, as it will probably come off as a little too blunt.

Who are you nursing for? You...or your son?

Please think carefully about your answer. If you are of the philosophy of following your child's lead as to what he needs or doesn't need, then my next question is why is this such a huge issue? Your son has let you know, loud and clear, that he's ready to be done nursing. Formula for 3-4 months until your pedi says he can have milk isn't the end of the world.

However, if you're nursing to one year because that's what "everyone" says is the "right" thing to do, even though your son is done, you're tired of pumping, etc., then I would say the issue is yours.

It has been my experience--and I know I'll be totally slammed by the other mamas for saying this--that while nursing is the ideal, formula fed babies are just fine in the long run. I had flat-inverted nipples and nursing was a horrible experience. That was with lactation consultants, working with La Leche, etc. I squeaked four months in with my first son. I gave it a go with my second son and he flat out refused to nurse...again, I had tried everything available to me, including pumping. I finally gave up and gave them enfamil...the same stuff my mom gave me and my sister 25 years earlier. How did I get them to drink it? I just gave it to them as if it were the most normal thing in the world. They were hungry, so they took it.

Guess what? At 12 and 16, my sons are just fine. They're smart, they're funny, they enjoy athletics, they are completely fine and normal young men.

I had my babies in the mid to late '90s. Most of the moms I met through various mom/baby functions were not nursing for the health benefits, but for bragging rights. "Oh! You only nursed for THREE months?! I nursed my precious Julie Anne until she was two! You've never met a healthier, better behaved 2 year old! Julie Anne! Stop playing in the street..." The best moms I ever met--the ones with happy, well adjusted ADULT children, were the ones who learned when to do what's right for their family, despite what "everyone" else said was "right."

Just some food for thought.

Good luck.

BF-ing for 8 months is AWESOME and it is totally ok to switch to formula at this point, if that is what works best for you. After my own little guy bit me 3x in 3 days at 7.5 months, _I_ was done bf-ing and we switched completely to formula. What made it easier for us was that he had been getting a bottle of formula for his 10:30pm feeding (from dad) from about 4 weeks on, so we'd already tried out a few different formulas, knew what he liked and it was an easy transition.

If you haven't introduced formula, now is a great time to introduce it, try having dad give it to him. We used the Similac Soy Organic (I think it was a green can) but I'd recommend getting a few small cans of a few different brands/flavours and if he doesn't like/refuses one, try a different one. Pump as long as you can, although my D.S. *never* liked warmed up breast milk and would refuse it (all those hours of pumping!) unless totally starving.

Life is stressful enough; this time with your son, before he's totally mobile and talking, is so much fun - reduce your stress, and enjoy this time!! There is no reason for you to be a prisoner in your home! Kudos for 8 months of breast feeding!!!! Good luck!!

I found that a couple of teething tablets 10-15 minutes before nursing helped take the edge off and reduce my baby's pain. It helped her to nurse more effectively while teething. I was lucky, she only bit down a few times...but it takes that long for them to understand not to do it.

I've heard that lecithin supplements are a good way to help your milk become less "sticky" and get it to flow. It might help with your plugged ducts--it seems odd that pumping would cause them since it is often precribed as a remedy.

Also, ensure that you are as hydrated as you can possible be and avoid wearing an underwire bra.

Your son may just be experiencing a little frustrated that the milk isn't coming out as quickly as with the bottle. Try a warm compress and massage on your breasts before/during nursing and see if it doesn't help your let-down a bit. You can even try manually pumping a bit to get things flowing for him.

It's a possiblity that your son just may be done nursing. If you decide to switch to formula, I would mix a little in with your milk at each feeding until your using formula alone. Some children self wean sooner than others. 8 months of nursing is plently to help him on his way. Good Job.

This happened with my daughter...she bit me, I reacted and then nursing strike. When you know your son is hungry, just sit there with your top off and wait for him...he'll latch on but you have to be patient. My daughter would come close like she was scared, back off and then finally, latched on. What a relief. Praise your son when he does latch on but not in a loud voice, just a nice whisper of, "Good boy! What a good boy you are!".

Hi E. -- okay, so you need to give yourself permission to STOP breast feeding! It truly is okay! Like someone else said - you did it for 8 months, which is great! I wanted to nurse my second son for one year, but around 9 months, he just lost interest, so I allowed myself the freedom of giving him bottles of formula - I am happier, he is happy and healthy! He ended up liking Similac best after trying a few different ones. Now we use the Target brand that is similiar. Also, since your son is eating foods now too, it's not like he is getting everything from your milk or the formula, so don't worry! Good luck!