Is he weaning already??

DS will be turning one in a couple of weeks and he is hardly having any breastfeeds lately. When he wakes we have a snuggle and feed in bed, but he's only on for 2 minutes and doesn't want the second side. Around lunch he might have about 30sec on the other side and I try to offer again before bed and he's not interested at all. Arches his back and tries to get away from me. :( This has been going on for about 2 weeks and I thought he was just having a fussy few days but he's feeding less and less everyday. Today he has had only his early morning feed.

He is eating 3 good solid meals everyday and some snacks. He loves his water and always wants that over a b/f if he's thirsty. When I ask him if he wants 'booby' he smiles and bounces up and down but when it comes to actually having some he's not interested.

It feels like there's not a lot of milk there now and I'm scared it's going to disappear completely if he keeps this up. Isn't he too young to wean himself? I always thought I would be happy if DS got to the point he was ready to wean himself, but I didn't expect it to happen for at least another 12 months! :(

Could there be any other explanation, or could this be it for us?

It's hard to say. But don't lose hope just yet - my friends twins did this at about 14 months. It was like the more she offered the more they refused. So what she did was just offer the feed they were most interested in. If they asked, then she'd feed them but if not they were only having one feed a day. This went on for months and months and they finally completely weaned at 2.5! So you could still have a way to go yet.

Big :hug: for you though. I know what it's like when they wean, it's so sad for us mummies, especially if you don't reach the goal you had set in your head :( I keep hoping that DS will wean soon because I think about 3yrs is my limit and I am tandem feeding but he's showing no signs yet. We've also been on one feed a day for a long time now, so it is possible.

I hope he hangs in there with you :)

Thanks Willow :) I hope he hangs in there too! It's funny you mentioned goals because my goal has moved so many times! lol started out at 6 months, then 12 and now at least 2. I guess the easier it gets (after those horror newborn weeks feeding) the higher goal you set.
We'll just keep going with the morning feeds.

Another thing.... if he's only having this one short feed of a morning, is this enough for him nutritionally? Should I see if he's interested in cows milk given he's nearly 12 months?

Megan - I personally wouldn't bother with cow's milk. While the WHO ideal is 2 years, nutritionally breastmilk is most important for babies in the first 12 months. So as long as he is eating well, has a healthy, balanced diet including dairy and having some breastmilk I think he'll be just fine.

You could always speak to your GP or paed (if they are 'breastfeeding friendly') or give the ABA helpline a call if you are unsure.