Hi! My almost 7 month old has started pulling off the breast at the beginning of feedings and usually not drinking much. I know there's milk there b/c I can manually express some when he pulls off. He does this even in a quiet room where he shouldn't be distracted. I had started supplementing with formula before bedtime and when it seemed that my supply was low and he drinks that well. Any idea what's going on?? Thanks!
Thank you, thank you! He is teething and he is starting to try to crawl! I will keep it up!
Hi, My son did pretty much the same thing. Finally, at 9 mths he stopped breastfeeding altogether. I was a little disappointed because my goal was to go for at least 1 year with breastfeeding. But I thought "9 mths in the womb, 9 mths on the breast"--seemed to make sense. Also, he got his first tooth within the next month so I was then a little relieved (escaped the nipple biting!)
My son when he was about 5 months old started doing the same thing. He would only nurse for about 7 minutes total, but still gained weight. It might be he is just drinking faster or teething. When son got his first teeth at 5 months I could not hardly get him to drink. Hang in there keep offering him breastmilk first then offer other solids. I would agree with the last post I would stop the formula at night and see if that does not help.
I agree this isn't weaning too early and you want to make sure it doesn't become early weaning by not offering other food sources first, always nurse first. I might even stop the supplementing at night, your body will make the milk he needs if you put the demand on it. Also is he teething, sometimes teething will cause a few days of poor nursing, just hang in there and offer breast often, that should help the 2 of you through this time.
How many teeth does he have? Maybe his mouth is hurting???
I would fare to say that if he is taking the formula fine at night, but not nursing, maybe there is some other cause-like teething...
Not sure, just what I have from my experience with my daughter. Most times she was getting a tooth, she wouldn't nurse that well. (then again, she got teeth at 5 months).
More than likely he is NOT weaning! Did he start crawling or hit any other major developmental milestone lately? He is more than likely just distracted by all the changes going on with himself and not wanting to take the time to nurse.
Just keep going mama! I would contact a local lactation consultant or an LLL leader, they will be able to give you much better advice than me!
Here are a couple of good links
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/weaning/babyselfwean.html
http://www.kellymom.com/babyconcerns/distractible-baby.html
i have a 7 month old daughter actually and she does teh same thing!! i tried the quiet room too...and still she is distracted. she comes and goes at the breast...but still is getting milk. (i know its there too because of expressing) when she is finished now she actually sits up. its seems like she didn't eat much...but if she was hungry she would stay and eat more. plus some babies become such efficient nursers. just continue to do what you are doing. he'll eat when he is hungry and will stop when he isn't. trust your baby's lead! he knows what he wants and doesn't want.
oh, and i've heard that wearing a "nursing necklace" could help keep a baby occupied while eating...that is some shiny object worn around your neck. try it?!
Hi S., when my first born was 7 months old he weaned himself. I didn't have a pump, so I had to just dry up. There is a possibilty of a nursing strike. I've heard of them and some of my friends children has had a few. I hope this advice was helpfull:) Good Luck!
He might just be having a "nursing strike." I simply kpet offering the breast to my son and after a few days (maybe a week or so) he started nursing regularly again. A good online resource for breastfeeding issues is kellymom.com. : ) Good luck!
J.
Contrary to a lot of beliefs, babies almost never wean themselves before a year old.
My daughter did the same thing your son did between 6.5-7.5 months. It was very frustrating but I kept at it and one day she wanted the breast again. To keep up my supply, I had to pump several times a day so my supply wouldn't deplete.
She's now 9 months old and still doing great at breastfeeding.
Your body will only make as much as your baby eats so if you give him formula you're telling your body not to make milk at that time.
I know several have said that a 7 month old will not wean himself. I totally disagree. Why? Because my daughter did just that! She didn't get her first tooth until she was almost 9 months old. Thought we were going to have to purchase baby dentures! Anywhoo... You are the mommy and you know your child the best.
There is absolutely no way a 7 month old is weaning. This won't happen till after a year. It is very important to him that he keep receiving breastmilk for his health as well. I think he may just be discovering how neat it feels for the soft nipple skin to rub on his lips. My son "played" for a few weeks till he forgot about it as well. Try making sure he is hungry before you begin feeding. This will help in making sure he is not watching his truck or stuffed animal or feel like "playing". A hungry belly always trumps toys.
You can find out if he is content with a cup by expressing some breast milk and offering a cup. Two of my 7 were weaned at 7 and 8 months. NOT my choice - theirs. I expressed and put it in a cup and they nursed at naptime and bedtime. Both were fully weaned and on milk by 9 and 10 months. I know that drs don't like that now but things change every few years. He may just be getting mobil enough to get distracted easily also. Nursing in a quiet location is helpful. You could also start reading a book to him before nursing to sort of quiet him down slowly. Good luck.
