My Son Stopped Breastfeeding

My second child weened herself at 9 months too. I was also saddened. It's not that he wasn't getting enough. He just got interested in other things. This is the time that they start to eat table food. Since he sees his older siblings with a cup, he's wanting to assimilate that behavior.

It's okay to be sad. You're grieving a period in yours and your son's life that is over. It's normal. I wasn't able to continue breastfeeding beyond 3 1/2 weeks due to physical problems and I'm still extreemely sad about it, and my son is 2 1/2 months now. It's hard to feel that bond slipping away due to circumstances that we ourselves can't control. Also, like you I had a tubal ligation. Though I wanted it, I'm still a little sad to know that there will be no more babies in my future. No more chances for that special bond. You could certainly pump and still give some breastmilk to your son for a snack or such. It is the best milk for your child. And, I think donating your milk to a local bank is a wonderful idea. My lactation consultants runs one at our local children's hospital for the preemies. I wish I could have continued and eventually donated. But, take time to morn this change and look forward to all that's still going to come. I look at my daughter at 2 and can't wait for my son to be her age. Though, I'm trying to relish this time while he's still little.

Keep offering him the breast!

It is VERY common for nurslings to go on a nursing strike around 9mos. They're often teething or distracted by new milestones, such as crawling, walking, etc. Many moms mistake this as an infant wanting to wean. They'll go a few days, even a couple of weeks without nursing. If you keep offering (many times a day) chances are he'll start nursing again.

I would encourage you to pump. Two reasons...you can feed him expressed breastmilk in a bottle instead of formula, and if he does start bf again, you'll still have a decent supply.

I some what understand how you feel. It's almost been a year since my last baby was born. My husband decided to have a vasectomy and I was kinda okay with it at the time. After she was born I was so upset because I wasn't going to ever have that experience again. Then I breastfed for a little while. It didn't take to well and I had to quit so it made matters even worse.. I am still having to deal with the fact that I won't be able to have anymore children, it is hard. You will get through it. Please if you need anything you may send me a message. Maybe we can stay in touch. I wish you all the best.

Hi J.,
I have read your article and have a suggestion. Why don't you give him a bottle with your milk in it. That way he will get the nourishing milk that that he needs.
Lots of luck,
Mae

I know how you feel about not having these experiences anymore. My husband doesn't want any more children so he got "fixed" about a year ago. I know I could have more if we really want to but I know our family is "perfect" now. We have one boy 8y/o and two girls 2 and 3 y/o. When I stopped nursing my youngest at 14 months I cried night and day. Every time I get my period I cry hopefully I will get used to it.

As for pumping if you have the time do it for mixing with formula and cereals then do it. As for the donating it I know some hospitals do this but I think you have to have a really healthy diet call and ask it can't hurt. I couldn't really pump it hurt and I was really uncomfortable doing it.

As for your son losing weight I don't believe there should be a chart to put our children on. My youngest is off the chart. I believe if your child is happy then it's okay if they are little or big for there age. My son is a tooth pick but the dr said he was a little heavy for his height and my middle children is too tall for her height. I think I'm just tired of all these charts.

Have fun with your son!
L.

Hello! I never breast feed with my son. he was on the bottle. So, I guess all I can say is give it sometime ans everything should work out. Okay! I wish there was more i could do to help you. Bye! W. I. Watson

Pumping and mixing your breastmilk with formula is a great thing to do for a couple of reasons: 1) he'll still be getting some of that irreplaceable healthiness from you 2) You'll use less formula which will save you money in the long run.

If he is eating table food well, it really shouldn't be a big deal for him to cut back on his breastfeeding.

I went through the same thing with both of my children. I remember being sad when they stopped nursing. I think its a natural motherly thing to feel. They all have to stop sometime - its all part of growing up, but I know how you feel.

Have you tried Mother's Milk tea? That + water doubled my supply in less than two weeks. I get it at the healthfood store.

I'd pump and store - at least for awhile. My three year old went on a 3 week strike right before he turned a year... he was still nursing at the age of 2.

Good luck.

Hello J..

I went through this same thing twice. My son stopped nursing when he was teething because it hurt him. Is your son teething or acting ill? They have to work a lot harder to get milk from the breast than they do to get it from a bottle, so sometimes when they are teething, have a sore throat, or maybe even an ear infection, they prefer the bottle because it is easier. The second time my son did this he was 10 months and weaned himself. He just decided that he didn't want to nurse anymore, and he just quit. I was upset that my son stopped nursing because of the closeness, just like you, but there was a little relief because I didn't know how I was going to go about weaning him. I know you don't want that to happen, but maybe your child has just decided to wean himself. You can still pump and freeze it for him so he will still be getting the milk. If I were you, I would keep offering it for a while, and if he continues to refuse, maybe he is just done.

Good luck

M.

My daughter did the same things a few times when she was younger and I just pumped to keep my supply up. After a few days she would always go back to it. Also, we had a scary time where she wasn't gaining weight or growing for a few months so we gave her some OTC vitamin drops by Enfamil (ask the pharmacist at Walmart, they'll know what I'm talking about). It turned her bowel movements black but she started gaining weight again! Hope it helps.......

I had that problem with my son ask your doctor theres a pill they can give you to increase your milk and now that he is getting more independant he wants freedom i had to pump and feed and every once in a while put him to the breast once you increase your milk he should start again -A. ###-###-####

Hi J., I understand what you are going through, when my girl was 9 months one day she didn't want to be breastfeed anymore, and that made me feel sad, really sad, but my mom told me that i have to understand that babies grow up and i have to learn to let my baby go(developed and be independent). When this happened my daughter los weight and it took her 3 months to gained her weight back, the doctor told me that it was normal, the weight lost was because of the change my baby did from breast milk to formula. If you keep pumping your milk is never going to go away, and remember your milk rigth now is not the same quality as it was the first months.