8 Month Old Won't Breastfeed Anymore

It is frustrating when it comes to babies, because they get to decide what the schedule is, not us. My son was 6 months old when he quit and I was disappointed too, but there isnt much you can do about, if they arent interested, you really cant force them. I learned with both my daughters, who had no desire what so ever to breast feed that they are in charge and they know what they need or dont need, want or dont want. My kids decided when they were done with the bottle, the crib and other things too. Watch and listen to their q's and you cant go wrong. Good Luck!

I think he's telling you he's done. My son stopped nursing about 8-9 months. But his was he bit me like everytime I tried to nurse for a whole day.

I also planned to breastfeed until 1 but I think we're doing ok anyway. My son is a VERY healthly little boy. he's about as big a kid that are a year older.

hi A.,

Your son might be going through a nursing strike - totally normal. Or he might just be ready to wean (also totally normal). If you want to keep your supply up, you can still use the pump even if you don't get anything, you're still creating that stimulation which is what keeps your supply up enough so that if he changes his mind, he can pick it back up. Make sure you're drinking plenty of water and eating good grains all that good stuff us mommy's do when we're nursing. My son never went on a nursing strike - or at least his strike was VERY early on. (We didn't start ft nursing until he was 9 1/2 weeks old and up to that time I pumped) So I don't know a whole lot about what to do in that case, except just let it ride out and keep offering your breast to him like you would normally. Good luck and keep up the great work. Even if you "just" nursed him for 8 months, that is still a great gift you've given to him. (I use quotes because even a day of nursing benefits a child - you're doing GREAT!)

PS M. B is right, you should be also offering some baby jar foods now too - that might help bring him out of the strike. He may not be getting as full on breast milk as he used to and is looking for additional alternatives - like formula which fills them up quickly.
M.

i would say pump pump pump!!! at least then there's stimulation to keep up some sort of supply, and he'd get SOME breastmilk. its also recommended to spend lots of skin to skin contact time with baby to stimulate him to want to nurse. offer your breast frequently! and i would say the more formula you give him the more your supply will go down and the more of a problem you'll have getting him back to the breast. some babies realize its so much easier to suck out of the bottle so it could be a laziness issue? if you must use a bottle, use stage 1 nipples with the very slowest flow so he has to work at it too .. also take fenugreek or whatever supplement you need to to keep up the supply. have you called milkworks in lincoln? they're a huge help and are great answering any questions. also could get supplements there :)

Have you tried the avent pump?? That one is amazing you may be suprised. If you have then it's time to let go. You have gone so far. I know it must be a little sad too. Him getting bigger and growing up. But you have to give yourself credit you have gone this far. Good luck with your boys.

I would check with your Pediatrician, but it sounds like your son may need more food than just cereal. I know I started my son on foods per the Pediatrician's recommendations at about 6 months. I nursed him up until he was 16 months, but only in the morning & night time, and every once in awhile during the day if he wanted too. Any breastmilk is better than none, so if your son wants to cut back to a couple times a day, (even though it may be h*** o* you not to nurse as much), and is eating enough during the day of solids he should be fine.

You've done an amazing job getting this far!

At that age, I had to start feeding my daughter before nap times and before bed; otherwise, she just wouldn't nurse at all. Once they start getting the three meals a day, you can cut back to 4 nursings a day. We always did first thing in the morning, before morning nap, before afternoon nap and before bed. Those were the only times she was interested.

Good luck! I hope you make your goal, but if you don't, just know that you've come a long way.

sounds like he's ready for the next phase and if he's eating 3 meals, maybe it's time to start introducing other foods. Sure you may be disappointed, but if he doesn't want to nurse then don't force him too. Maybe he's moved on to the point that breast milk just doesn't fill him up. but the formula does. I'd start trying some of teh green foods.

You should first be proud of yourself for breastfeeding as long as you have! It seems like he is just ready to be done. Food and the bottle may appeal to him more now that he is getting more mobile and has so many things to explore. Just make sure he is still getting formula in addition to food.

I breast fed all three of my boys. One stopped at 11 months, one at about 9 months and my last is still nursing in the morning and at night, and he just turned 1. I really think it depends on the child. I didn't have to wean the first two, they did it on their own. I also do not make an abundance of milk so pumping did not work for me either. You have done a great job so far, and it sounds like he is thriving!

A.-
I have never had that problem both of my children nursed well past the first year. My son did seem to be come pretty uninterested around 4 months when he started to become very interested in food. He is now 16 months and nurses much more than he ever did at 4 months. I think the desire to nurse comes and goes. They become very interested in other things. I would suggest not giving formula and just letting him naturally do what he wants to do with nursing. Do not worry about your milk supply, it will go back up if he drinks more of it. Think about the times that seem most important to him when it comes to nursing, most babies like bedtime and naptime most. Make sure you are in a quick, relaxing enviroment when you offer it to him. Also it could be something new you have added to your diet that he does not like the taste of. There is always a reason a baby is not wanting to nurse, is he trying to reach a new milestone such as crawling or walking, is he too distracted and busy during the day? Do you let him comfort nurse too? Or have you always just let him nurse for a certain amount of time? He could be full from food you could cut back on what he eats. Don't stress about it if he goes a day without nursing and then wants to nurse the next day, he is getting nutrition from food. Although the special nutrients that are in breastmilk are not anywhere else, you could consider pumping and putting it in a sippy cup too. I too have never been able to pump much, but over time with work you can get more, my best luck was with a hospital grade pump.
Brekka

Sometimes babies that age go on a "nursing strike". My son was learning to crawl at that age and was not interested in sitting still long enough to breastfeed. If you want some good advice on breastfeeding and getting through a nursing strike, I'd recommend the following website:
http://www.lalecheleague.org/FAQ/strike.html
Otherwise if you google "nursing strike" you can find a lot of advice. I was able to get through my son's nursing strike and he is still breastfeeding at 15 months of age. I wish you the best of luck and congratulations on breastfeeding for this long!