What are signs of self weaning??

hi all

What are signs of bub weaning themselves?? Is there any signs?

Bub is still BF but when we are feeding it seems like he is getting frustrated and groans/grunts....he also gets a bit upset during feeding as i said like he is frustrated. This happens about 60-70% of the time.

His feeds are pretty short about 10 mins (I think) each side.

If he is weaning himself, this is fine as I am soon starting work after Graduating from Uni last year (all done whilst BF bub) - so that brings me to another question - how to wean bub of the boob?? IS there any special format to follow and also what do i do with my boobs, obviously i will have to express a little for comfort but not too much.

Thank you! This is all so confusing being a 1st time mum!!

Hun, that behaviour is pretty normal at that age. Babies don't self-wean at that age, but they certainly go through fussy patches as you are describing. I have been through it with both my boys, and they did both self-wean but much later. One issue at around 6 months, is that they are so aware of their surroundings and don't like to feed when there are other things to look at. Sometimes things like feeding in a darkened room or covering their head can help, other people find wearing a bfing necklace can help, as it gives them something to focus on while bfing. The ABA 24 hour helpline should be able to help you out with other tips.

Also at that age, the introduction of solids can cause issues. Have you started solids yet? If so, it could be that his tummy is not coping well and you might like to try waiting a bit longer. Or it could also be that he's having too much solids and losing his appetitie for milk. In this case cutting back on the food, and always bfing before food usually helps. Milk is far more important than food until 12 months

By the way, 10 minute feeds are not unusual at that age.

For interest, before my boys self-weaned (DS1 at 14months when I was 4 1/2 months pg, and DS2 at 21 months), they were feeding fairly well, but just dropped one feed at a time. They stayed at one feed a day for while (DS2 did for months), then one day just didn't want that feed. With DS1 I didn't see it coming at all, he was still feeding for as long as usual and with as much interest, right up to the last feed. DS2 was starting to lose interest for a few weeks before pulling my top down one morning as if to say "I don't need that anymore mum", and sure enough, he didn't want it again!

Also wrt to weaning. Do you need to wean? I have twice returned to work while bfing, and I understand that unis have parents rooms now (most anyway), so is expressing and continuing to bf an option? If not, the best way to wean is to drop one feed every few days. This way your supply will drop gradually and you shouldn't get mastitis. Still watch for the signs though - lumps, red patches, feeling like you have the flu etc, and if you do have any of these, apply a warm compress, express some milk (not too much), then appy a cold compress. Do this for as long as you need to, and if it's not better in a day or so, see a doctor. GL hun, if you would like more tips on continuing to bf while working/studying, let me know.

Thanks Manta Ray for ur reply, we have started solids, just some rice cereal in the mornings and some mashed vege for dinner around 5pm. Is this too much? Is there any sort of routine that i should be following when introducing solids whilst bfeeding? He seems to be coping well with the solids in my opinion, he loves eating it and seems to enjoy the whole eating experience. I am giving him a bf before the solid food too, so maybe he is just being a little fussy bugger like you said!

With the whole weaning or continue to bf thing, its a bit tricky - the job that i am hoping to get is in a preschool (I'm an EC teacher) and more than likely Ethan will be in the room with me so I do have to care for the other bubs as well. Depending on what happens with the job (fingers crossed) will decide what to do i guess when i hear some news.

Whilst finishing my studying I was away from Ethan every day from 8-4 for 10 weeks - i did express and manage to keep him on EBM for the majority of the time but towards the end i couldnt express enough for what he needed. I think it might have been due to stress etc.

After i posted my 1st thread about the way he feeds, i gave him a feed and he fed beautifully!

Anyway thanks for ur reply, guess we will have to wait and see what happens.

Sounds like you are well on track hun. There is no "right" amount of solids at any age, every baby will want a different amount. And no "right" routine either. I would stick to what you are doing for another couple of days at least to see if he settles down. If he is still fussy you can try experimenting with less food, or changing the time of the meals. It mostly is trial and error I'm afraid.

sorry for the mini-hijack but MR what is a BFing necklace?

I agree with MR.
My ds had issues at that age. He was cutting down how long he spent on the boob, and tbh - he was quick at it before the problems started. Food wise, it's all up to you and your baby.

My ds weaned totally out of the blue as well. He was 15mths. I'm not sure if it was what was going on (we had just moved), or if he just decided to stop. He was down to 2 feeds (a breakfast and to sleep at night), with the possibilty of a lunch feed, if only a small one. When he weaned he had a normal day, that night he had some, then just rejected me. He was comp fed with bottle. He was right then. The next day - nothing. Totally random.

All the best! Stick with it!

Pixie, a bfing necklace is a childproof necklace with bright beads or anything that will interest the baby. It gives the baby something to focus on while bfing so they are less distracted with other stimulus. Often they will fondle it while feeding. Mothers' Direct sell them. If you google it you will find more information.

thanks - will stick at it and see how we go!!

: )

Cheers MR I'll have a look.... I have had a similar problem with DD having short feeds and being highly distractable... so good luck hopefully we can work something out!

Cheers MR I'll have a look.... I have had a similar problem with DD having short feeds and being highly distractable... so good luck hopefully we can work something out!