Stupid question. I think my 11.5 month old is self-weaning but I am rather concerned as I hadn't expected this and she is MPI (severely) and the pediatric dietician said to BF until age 2 (or she outgrows MPI). Now I need to find a formula that she doesn't react too...she was reacting to the special formulas months ago when we tried some for backup when I was on a trip.
Is she self weaning at this point or do babies at this age sometimes drop offs then pick up later?
Until about 4 weeks ago she would nurse every 2hr round the clock like clock work and she would be fierce about it if we missed the 2hr mark. In the last month she was gone down to nursing every 3-3.5hrs round the clock. But in the last 2 or so weeks I have to almost make her nurse during the day as she is just too busy...and when I try to nurse her she happily assumes the position, latches then stops and grins and smiles and laughs at me...then just looks all over the room, happily, before wiggling away. I can keep poking her my boob and she'll latch but do the same smile game...sometimes getting a couple sips.
In the last week at night she wakes every 3-3.5 hrs but sometimes when I latch her on she gets REALLY upset (mostly still asleep) until I put her soother in then she snuggles in and in early evening I put her back in crib and she stays asleep...later in night I go bedshare with her and she snuggles in. While bedsharing she'll wake occasionally nurse but at times get upset if I try and only wants the soother. Seems like she is still in the routine of waking to nurse but doesn't want too.
I assume this is self-weaning? What do I do? Just keep offering and see? I am worried my supply will drop...if it hasn't (when she does nurse it seems like a full feed). My milk has always been really quick, instant let down and a full feed in under 3min (was 8-10min in early months).
I don't know if she will take any formula but needs to for the dairy substitute. She LOVES food...she is BLW and I have little concern about her not eating enough...but it's the lack of the dairy and all those crucial fats and proteins...I so did not see this coming.
Do I assume she is done for good and just offer until she no longer accepts and try to get her on some formula as the pediatric dietician specialist said? Or do I assume this is a random blip and pump to keep supply going until she is back at it? I haven't pumped since the first month and only have a hand pump now.
Re: Self Weaning?
Thanks! I'll keep offering day and night. I'd much prefer to BF until 2. I may pick up some milk protein free formula and try to give her a bit here and there to get her used to the taste should she fully self-wean and need it. But I really hope to avoid that...not only because BF offers the connection, is great nutrition but also because it's just soooo much easier!!
I was just panicked about my supply. Though today (weekend) she has already nursed 4 good feeds. I think during the week she is doing less because I run a home daycare and have 5 little children running around. While I am with her all day and offer to nurse she is just having too much fun with her friends to stop long enough. Though she is still nursing less after daycare hours...but I guess since she is with me all day (and night) she doesn't need to reverse cycle for the connection. Fingers crossed my supply can keep up while she figures out her new feeding plans. What a shocked from the 12+ nursing sessions a day that she insisted on for the first 10months!