thread: Losing the Ability to Breastfeed

  1. #1
    Registered User

    Mar 2009
    2,269

    Losing the Ability to Breastfeed

    My DD1 has recently weaned, a month or two ago, at just over 3. Last night she was up late as we had been at the coast all day and she fell asleep in the car on the way home (a nap at almost 4pm is never a good idea). She asked for a little milk whilst I was trying to settle her so I let her try to feed but she didn't or couldn't? She said it didn't work anymore? This has happened a few times since weaning. Now I feel like I have no idea about any of this because as far as I knew, children didn't really lose this ability until the structural changes brought about at a similar time to adult teeth? I don't want her to recommence feeding so it is a bit of a non-issue (purely curiosity lol) but I've always been a bit "don't offer, don't refuse" so if she asks then I let her try but it seems she has no idea what to do anymore? Did anyone else experience this or know more about it? Do they just lose the ability like that? Is it because of her age? Because she has weaned? What triggers it to be 'forgotten'?

    Or does she just not want to feed anymore (which she doesn't really since she weaned I guess haha) and so doesn't really try? So why ask? Just confused and a bit shocked as she was literally what I would consider a booby addict lol. It seemed to change so quickly!

  2. #2
    Registered User

    Oct 2009
    Bonbeach, Melbourne
    7,177

    I'm not sure. DD is only 13 months and only feeds maybe once a fortnight for 5 mins now, and she doesn't really suck the way she used to anymore.

  3. #3
    Registered User

    May 2008
    where the V8's roar
    1,855

    I am not sure of the exact details but I do believe at some point they 'forget' 'loose' the suckle ability. Maybe search the ABA website. It probably has some better info.

  4. #4
    BellyBelly Life Subscriber

    Jan 2006
    11,633

    I guess after a time, they may forget how to latch properly I think it is still possible, however, if you tell them how.

  5. #5
    BellyBelly Life Subscriber

    Jun 2005
    Blue Mountains
    5,086

    With both my older two it felt like they lost the knack to suckle. It started to hurt and really irritated me. I felt like a mare kicking her foal away lol. I was able to wean them very quickly once they were like that, they didn't bat an eyelid, so the weaning felt mutual. They both got to 26 months. Will be interested to see how #3 goes.