Awww hun how upsetting this must be for you. I really hope this is just a phase and she begins to enjoy it again soon, I really do. Like the girls said, try plenty of warm baths together snuggled in, skin to skin contact and see if that helps? When she's really relaxed she might just....
I was thinking today actually, this is one of my fears that I try not to think about.... that DD might self wean before I'm ready.
Hope you enjoyed that glass of red last night - but don't be so hasty. Self weaning? I don't think so. but I bet you have had friends and family tell you this is what she is doing.
At this age you could easily wean her if you want. It seems relatively common that babies are less interested in breastfeeding around the 11-12mnth mark. But self weaning? No. I suggest that you take the approach of always offering - never refusing, but never showing that her refusal upsets you in any way. She's just saying "no thanks not now" as politely as she knows how. Doesn't mean she won't want it in a little while. I wonder if you would consider dropping the bottles she has at childcare and just giving her a sippy cup of water or milk there too? She doesn't need it. Even if she is having 1-2 feeds per day - you'll be surprised at how much she is getting.
A quite weekend of just mum and bub hanging out together. A bath together (those boobies are awfully hard to resist just "there" like that.
I reckon, if you just stick with it - we'll be having the same conversation same time next year.
Go with what Barb said about the bath I'll never forget the look on DS's face when he realised there were 2!! lol
DS went through the same at about the same age. Just too busy really. To many other things to do & see. DS would come to me for a feed, have a suck, then bugger off again, lol.
I was going to suggest dropping bottles, coz they are so much easier for her to drink from. She can carry them & explore at the same time, so they might be more appealing. Is she walking yet? DS did start walking at that age, so I think that helped with the needing to explore instead of booby.
Oh Rach it is absolutely horrible when our little ones wean themselves before we are ready. I was devestated when DD weaned to. To be honest I grieved for the loss of our B/F relationship. DH had to give her for over a week because I couldn't bring myself to do it. Grieve your loss because it is a loss.
I have heard that you keep offering them the breast for a feed when they are sleepy because they are less likely to fight you and you keep doing this until she comes around. Not sure if that is completely right (I was told when I wasn't in a good state so can't remember it properly).
Hopefully someone will be able to give you some advice to keep your b/f relationship going.
Thank you so much everyone for all your kind words and support. I am so emotional about this. But I'm mostly just shocked, I just still can't quite believe it's happening.
I've been trying to express every few hours, in a last ditch effort to increase my supply, I can't believe how much it has dropped. Last week I'd get 40-60ml easily, now I'm struggling to get a measly 20ml.
Anyway, as the day goes on I get a little bit more peaceful and accepting about it. I've decided what I'm going to do and if it works, great, if not, I'm not going to bust my boiler about it. I'm not going to do the bath thing because it's just not me and it won't work with DS around anyway.
Anyway, this is my plan:
- I am going to feed DD to sleep in our bed at night, peacefully, in the dark, and DH can read with DS in the lounge room to keep him (and by him, I mean both of them ) busy.
- I will kick DS and DH out of bed in the morning so DD and I can have some more peaceful feeding time together. (We don't actually cosleep with either of them, but there are lots of cuddles in our bed when ever they want them).
- I will offer the breast as often as I can, in a peaceful and quite place (if I can).
- I will cut out the bottles at daycare.
- I will express whenever I can. I will not get upset or disappointed if I don't get much. I will appreciate every ml.
- I will offer yogurt and cheese every day but cow's milk only on her brekkie and only water in her sippy cup.
- I will accept her decision to breastfeed or not (before she squawks too loudly and bites me).
Oh hun. Its so sad when theywean sint. You look like you have a great plan, and there is nothing I can add that all the lovely girls havent already said!
what a wonderful gift you have given her you should be so proud xxx
hun, I can understand why you're so emotional about this. I think you should look at this as 'breast refusal' rather than weaning, since she is still so little. I'd try the ABA helpline (if you haven't already) and look through the tips on dealing with breast refusal. It sounds like that's what you're trying anyway, and Barb's advice is always useful!
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how upsetting this must be for you. I really hope this is just a phase and she begins to enjoy it again soon, I really do. Like the girls said, try plenty of warm baths together snuggled in, skin to skin contact and see if that helps? When she's really relaxed she might just....
I'll never forget the look on DS's face when he realised there were 2!! lol
) busy.
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