Premature weaning.... supply dropping... help!

acia

Over the last week, my 13-month-old has gone from breast feeding 4-5 times in a 24 hour period to just once - and my supply is quickly dropping. She is refusing the breast, turning away and even getting upset when I offer (it almost seems like a tantrum or something, she sort of panics and arches away from me!). The only time in the last week that I've been able to get her to nurse is a in the middle of the night, when she's out of it (and likely hungrier) - but it's not enough to maintain my supply.

Nothing is different in my diet. I'm not pregnant. Nothing traumatic happened that I know of that she would relate to nursing... She's been working on her molars, but really that's nothing new because she's on her last 1-year molar and didn't have this issue with the other three.

I'm all about baby-led weaning, but this just seems too soon, and it doesn't feel right, given how sudden it is and how she's refusing the breast so adamantly. Plus she doesn't tolerate cows milk well at all, and isn't into any other milk substitutes, so I'm at a loss on how to replace the nutrition of the breast milk.... She hasn't been eating well so I don't know how I'm going to get her to eat all the nutrients she needs through solids alone.

 I breast fed my older daughter until she was two - and planned to do the same with my younger daughter... But at this rate I doubt I'll make it to 14 months! I don't own a breast pump and when I used one for my older daughter I was never able to get much for some reason. I've tried hand expressing but same issue.

Anyone else been through this? Should I just go with the flow - am I worried for no reason?

Emerald27

Nursing strikes are no fun, and it sounds like that's what this is! It's unlikely that she would be weaning at this age. Is she newly walking? Starting to talk? It could be milestone related...

It might not be possible with an older DD around, but can you and younger DD take a nursing vacation? Sometimes when young toddlers get moving, there's so much for them to do that they can't make time to nurse. If you and she lay around in bed with snuggles, toys and books, and boobs, she may be wooed back to the breast.

Other than that, just offer frequently. Bring her to your lap to snuggle, and when she's comfy, offer the breast.

If she continues to adamantly refuse, you might want to pump a few times a day while you're trying to woo her back. Think about her usual nursing times, and whenever she skips that session, take out the pump. That way your supply will be maintained while you're working through this.

Hang in there!

Emerald27

Just saw that you don't own a pump. It might be worth asking your pediatrician if they rent pumps, or looking into buying a manual pump.

The amount you are able to pump is not a good indicator of your supply because pumping is so much less effective at removing milk from your breasts than nursing, and it takes a lot of practice to develop a technique. ;D A lot of mothers don't realize it, but it is normal to pump just 1 or 1.5 ounces at a time! Much more than that can indicate an oversupply.

Kellymom.com may have some tips for hand expression too. As long as you're able to express some milk, any stimulation can help keep up your supply.

Good luck!