Self-weaning

[JJudd538]

Hey mamas,

Does anyone have any experience with babes self-weaning before a year? My DS will be a year in a week and I feel like He's completely lost all interest in breast feeding, in a period of two weeks. I night weaned a little over a week ago and since then he has no interest in nursing during the day either. I had to stop nursing my first son due to supply issues, so I've never been through this before. Should I continue to offer it through out the day? Or just follow his cue? Today for example, he only nursed when he woke up. I tried in the afternoon and again at bedtime and he either bit me or turned his head. Part of me is sad because I thought for sure he would nurse past a year not to mention i know he's guaranteed good nutrition if he's still drinking momma's milk, but part of me is excited to be done with it.

Thanks!

[thealmightyme]

Mine did at 6 months, and ditched a bottle at 9 months.

[HisFadedStar]

A baby self weaning before a year is very rare. It sounds like a nursing strike, which is common at this age, continue to offer the breast and pump to keep up milk supply if you wish to keep nursing!

[mommy24babes]

Does sound like a nursing strike possibly connected to the night weaning.
If you want to keep nursing just keep offering occasionally.

[Kätzchen]

I third the nursing strike, have you introduced a bottle? Too many solids? ...babies do not self wean this early! Usually it's something minor that snowballs into a seemingly abrupt change. Nurse before solids, cut out bottles/etc, if you must, pump and keep offering!

[colin-mylilguy]

Originally Posted by Kätzchen I third the nursing strike, have you introduced a bottle? Too many solids? ...babies do not self wean this early! Usually it's something minor that snowballs into a seemingly abrupt change. Nurse before solids, cut out bottles/etc, if you must, pump and keep offering!

Kellymom.com is an excellent resource for nursing moms. Here is a link with some info on this topic: http://kellymom.com/bf/normal/babyselfwean/

As you already mentioned, there are many benefits to continued nursing past one year. Here is a link to those benefits: http://kellymom.com/ages/older-infant/ebf-benefits/

Also, here is a link with info on how to prevent early or pre-mature weaning: http://kellymom.com/bf/normal/babyselfwean/#tips

Only you can decide what is best for you and your baby.

Best wishes, Mama.

[blessed1018]

Originally Posted by Kätzchen I third the nursing strike, have you introduced a bottle? Too many solids? ...babies do not self wean this early! Usually it's something minor that snowballs into a seemingly abrupt change. Nurse before solids, cut out bottles/etc, if you must, pump and keep offering!

I will third that third! Is there any chance he may have a stuffy nose? Has he learned a new skill? My son nurses less with a runny nose, and when he was going through the big milestones, he would strike for a day or so.