REALLY struggling with weaning

Useonfire

I am seriously heartbroken over the fact that my not even 9 month old appears to be weaning. She went on a sudden and abrupt nursing strike last week, and we're going on 10 days now. I know she is teething, we've been giving her motrin or tylenol daily (she has no visible teeth yet).  She has no problem taking a bottle or will happily eat solids. She just.won't.nurse. UGH. I can't even get her into a nursing position - she arches, turns away, completely rejects. I feel like there's almost no chance that she will nurse again. She did once or twice over the weekend for a 5am feeding, but at this point in time, she won't even come close to latching.  This morning at 5:30 (after not eating since 7:30 the night before) I knew she was starving but still gave me all the rejecting body language.  So heartbroken. I am pumping 3x/daily and I hate it so much. I didn't mind the pumping once before bed, but I can't do this for the next 3+ months. I sincerely don't know how people do this all day (even though I've done it before... 3 years ago). 

TJ1979

I'm so sorry. Huge hugs to you.

Jenilyn and Matthew

So sorry. My DD was quite a bit older (13 months) when she decided to wean. She started biting hard, and "playing" with my nipples while not really feeding and it became very painful. I wasn't ready for her to be done, but she made it clear that it was time. It sounds like your LO may want the bottle more now too. Just take it one day at a time, and enjoy the other things they need you for! And pumping definitely sucks, but its so worth it to give BM when you're not ready to offer other milk yet.

Sept07b2b

I had one more thought.  Since your LO is older, have you thought about taking bottles away totally and using a sippy cup?  I would think the flow of a sippy cup is much slower than a bottle, and if it's a bottle preference, maybe you could break the bottle preference.

I am so sorry you are going through this!!!  Clearly you have done everything you can to make this work, and I'm so impressed!!!  I can't imagine this has been easy, but if it really is time to wean, you should not feel bad at all!!!  You have provided your LO with an amazing gift!!!  The difference between weaning now and in 3 months really isn't that much.

mrst-tobe

My sisters first did this at 9 months too.  I'm so sorry! I know it is hard!!