Nearly 8 month old stopped feeding

Well up until the last week my nearly 8 month old DS has been an absolutle tropper feeding - so much so I thought he was permamently attached to my breast and feeding for about 10 minutes in total. In the past week his feeding has done a full 180. I am having a nightmare of a time feeding. I can get him to go to the breast but he is only having a few sucks - I'm lucky if I can keep him in my lap, attaching on and off for 5 minutes. He is having three solid meals a day. Since he has been fussy I've decreased his solids and giving him solids about 1/2 hour after a b/f so he isn't full at b/f time. I am offering him the breast and if he isn't interested he is biting me. I've even expressed and offered it to him in a bottle (he has the occassional bottle) only to get the same reaction.
He is pooing every day, sometimes every second but his urine output is really down. I am changing him every 4 or so hours and I'm having to pull nappies apart to find any wee and they are smelling really concentrated. He also has a running nose too.
It has been a big developmental week for him. He has learnt how to crawl and he is/has cut 6 teeth and is extremely interested in everything going on around him so I'm feeding in the least stimulating environment I can but it doesn't seem to help.
We do the sleep - feed - play routine so he gets offered the breast when he wakes. I feed him straight away overnight but I've been waiting 1/2 during the day to work up an appetitate. He is feeding about 4 - 5 hourly during the day. I can get him to have a few sucks before sleep. AAARRRGGGHHH it's all messed up!
I hope that makes sense. I don't know what else to do. What can I do to get him back to feeding normally or is this his new normal? Or is he weaning? I really hope he isn't weaning!! I also don't have AF back yet but I do have a mirena in.
Many thanks,
Dan.

P.S. I'm wearing pink knickers today cause that seemed to be the only thing I left out, LOL!

Liviam, he is too young to wean, this is classic breast refusal. You already know many of the tips, but can I suggest you call the ABA on 1800 mum 2 mum?

I think a talk through with a counsellor might really help. Just remember, this WILL pass, so keep persisting, get some tips and try to relax.

I agree with Jennifer, give the ABA a call. I don't have any great advice for you, just a hug :hug:

Could he not like sucking due to ear pain- given that you said he has a runny nose- he may have a cold affecting his ears or an earache so that maybe why he's not interested at the moment. Hope he gets back to feeding well soon.

I've been trying to get onto the ABA for 4 days now and can only get the recorded message that they are experiencing a massive call volume and to please call back later :(. I can't even get onto my child health nurse.
I've been wondering if it is breast refusal or not. DD went through this and I couldn't get her back so she ended up FF and I really really don't want this to happen.
I'll keep trying the hotline. Thanks ladies.

Do you have a local ABA contact? If you subscribe you will be given the details of your local group and that is sure to contain a counsellor or two (in case you're desperate!). Alternatively, perhaps their Breast Refusal brochure might be helpful? Your local library or MHC might have a copy, or you can get it on their website.

It could be for any number of reasons. Are there any feeds he does seem to take better, ie first thing in the morning or during the night? I'd identify when he does seem to feed and try to replicate those circumstances as much as possible.

All that is going on for him right now is likely contributing to this, but it won't last forever. It might be a few days, to a week, but my guess is he'll be back with a venegance soon. :crossfingers:

My DS did the same thing around 7 months! Then he had two teeth come thru and whent right back to feeding fantastically! :D He is now 11.5 months and loves his b/f :)

Try and get hold of the ABA but don't stress to much. It sounds like you are doing the right thing. It should pass!
Jules

Hope you can get through!
The only thing I would say is don't push it. Like Jen says, try to find conditions where he will feed and replicate those as much as possible.
Could he have a sore throat or blocked nose?

Good luck!

DD1 did the same thing at 6 months, I found if I pushed it, she bit or refused or didnt drink much, if she did I would just put her down and leave her. She would eventually come to me when she really wanted it and have a decent drink. I dont think they will intentionally starve themselves. I just perservered and eventually she went back to normal. If you are worried about dehydration have you tried sippy cups of water?

My DS2 did the same thing at about 6 months. I was all worried about him getting dehydrated cause it was really hot at the time so gave him little drinks of cold water when it had been a long time since his last decent BF. It only lasted a bit over a week... like some of the other babies he started crawling, got some teeth and then went back to feeding. Neither of my boys have been big feeders while teething, I guess it must hurt their poor gums.
I found my big, sore, full boobs were the biggest casualty, so my advice would be to keep expressing so you are comfortable and maintain your supply. Keep offering feeds regularly. If he isn't interested just leave it and try again later. I found my DS2 just got cranky at me if I kept trying to get him to attach. Try to relax and hopefully he will start feeding properly again soon.

Last night I got onto the most amazing and wonderful ABA counsellour - SHE WAS JUST BRILLIANT!! She gave me heaps and heaps of tips and pointers to try (you ladies already suggested some, so thank you too) listen to me cry, reassured me, got a breast pump free of charge for a week and got me an appointment with my MCHN as I couldn't get one. She not only gave me tips to get him b/f but also to take sips of water too. I got off the phone feeling really positive and confident that we will get over this hurdle. She didn't rush me or try to get off the phone (you know how some help lines do that) and so far so good. DS fed well overnight and I actually changed a decent wet nappy this morning :bluecheer: and he has had a small feed where he didn't pull on and off this morning.
Thank you all so much for your help and reassurance with tips and pointers ladies. So many people IRL around me just don't get how important it is to me to keep feeding and having that bond/special time. They are all saying just give him a bottle because that is what he wants and what's the big deal about b/f'ing? But I know that I will always have the support, encouragement and understanding among my amazing BB friends :grouphug: Thank you! I am so happy!!

Oh hun, I am so relieved and happy to hear you say that! :hug:

I really hope this hurdle is passing now that you are armed with the right advice. Perhaps you wouldn't mind sharing afterwards exactly what works for you when you're through this phase.

Made my day!

:leap:
That's great!
Yes, perhaps when you get time you could share - lots of mums have similar sorts of trouble.