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Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding - 11 months old (First time poster...long...I'm sorry)
Hi everyone. I've never posted before, but I am an avid lurker. 
I get so much great information from reading all of your posts. I'm posting now because I am looking for some re-assurance/opinions.
My son will be 11 months old next Saturday and I'm not ready to start weaning. I got the stomach bug when he was 9 months old and my supply took a major hit. Providing what he needs during the day while I work has been extremely stressful for me since then. Currently, I pump twice a day and get anywhere from 6 to 8 ounces. I have 100 ounces left in my freezer, meaning I can use 3.5 ounces of it per day until he turns one.
My goal is to breastfeed until he is one year old...which is only 5 weeks away now. (And as I'm typing this, I find myself thinking I'm weird for freaking out at this stage...) Anyway, after one year, I would like to start WCM and nurse only when he and I are together. Meaning, no more bottles/breastmilk at school.
Here is our current schedule...
6am - Nurse (probably gets 5 ounces from me)
8:15am - Breakfast at school.
10am - 4 or 5 ounce bottle (depends on what I pump the previous day)
11:30am - Lunch at school.
After nap, 2:30-3:00pm - 4 or 5 ounce bottle (depends on what I pump the previous day)
3:30pm - Snack at school.
6:00pm - Short nurse at home before dinner (probably gets about 2 ounces)
6:30pm - Dinner at home.
8:00pm - Nurse before bedtime. (probably gets about 2 ounces)
He sleeps through the night...most nights.
We stared solids at 6 months old and he is REALLY good at feeding himself now. He is growing and gaining weight well. He has been in the 10 to 25th percintile for height and weight since 6 months old.
So...with all of that being said, here are my questions:
- Is he getting enough? There isn't anything out there that says exactly how much an eleven month old should get...
- Should I be stressing as much as I am...which is A LOT...on squeezing out every last drop I can get when I pump? Or should I just serve what I pump and add the additional 3.5 ounces I can take from my freezer...and go with "it is what it is" pharse?
If you made it to the end of this and have an advise, I would greatly appreciate your input. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this!
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Breastfeeding - 11 months old (First time poster...long...I'm sorry)
1. I wouldn't worry at all about whether he's getting enough.
2. You shouldn't stress either. I'd just give him what you pump. If he's satisfied with that, great. You can use up your freezer stash by giving him bottles or sippy cups of breast milk at school after you stop pumping. I wouldn't suddenly start giving him more just to use it up before he turns one. Then you can just enjoy your at home nursing sessions for as long as you'd like to.
Great job making it this far! Now you're in the home stretch.
Try to relax. (You may make more milk that way too!) But really, there is no need to worry about if he's getting enough milk or if you're pumping enough for him. If you need to go into the freezer stash, that's what it's there for! If you have left over freezer stash when he turns one, great! It will help with transitioning him to WCM for daycare / daytime. Create a ratio of WCM and BM and slowing decrease the amount of BM and increase WCM in the bottle and/or cup.
Once babies turn 6 months they are more mobile (like I need to tell you that! HA!) so they don't gain like they did prior to 6 months. It changes even more so when they're toddlers because they are really too busy running around and exploring to eat.
As long as your DS is happy and healthy, stop worrying about his BM (and solid) intake. You're doing a great job and know that your body will adjust after you decide to stop pumping and will still provide him BM when you nurse in the mornings and night.
Lastly, I'm willing to bet he's getting more than 2 oz when he BF at night. By 11 months old I'm sure he's a pretty efficient eater and babies are always more efficient at emptying the breast than a pump. So, take a breath and give yourself a break from worry!
1. it sounds like he is getting plenty. If he is satisfied then he is getting enough.
2. I would get what you can when you pump but not beat yourself up on getting a specific amount. My pumping sessions were often different and would differ as much as an ounce sometimes. Pump what you can and fill with your freezer stash.