I have a 13-month old who has always been a champion nurser. He bites a lot when he's teething, but otherwise everything has been smooth.
I work full-time, but I work from home so I am able to nurse him--generally still 6 times a day.
Last week, I had to be away on business for 3 days. I pumped twice a day while I was gone just to maintain some supply. I was afraid he'd wean when I got home. When I walked in the door, he nursed for 45 minutes. He was so greedy for the closeness and so was I! For two days, he nursed like crazy. On the third day after I got home, he started biting me HARD (this was also a day he spiked a very high fever and was diagnosed with a viral ear infection). He actually drew blood multiple times and was biting so hard I couldn't help but yell out when he did it. I don't think it was a slow let down due to lack of supply because he wouldn't even try to suck. He would act like he was going to latch on and then just chomp down. On the fourth day, he stopped nursing and has been refusing to latch on at all. He hasn't nursed a single drop in more than 48 hours. I've still been trying to pump some to maintain my supply, but I pumped once at the end of the day today and got 2 oz from both breasts combined.
It seems like between the separation, the ear infection, and teething, he is weaning maybe before he's really ready. But I don't know how long to give him. I would have really preferred to nurse at least 2 years, especially since I'm working and it is such nice closeness. But 13 months is a decent stretch.
Should I just give up or does anyone have any advice about how to interest him in nursing again?
I work full-time, but I work from home so I am able to nurse him--generally still 6 times a day.
Last week, I had to be away on business for 3 days. I pumped twice a day while I was gone just to maintain some supply. I was afraid he'd wean when I got home. When I walked in the door, he nursed for 45 minutes. He was so greedy for the closeness and so was I! For two days, he nursed like crazy. On the third day after I got home, he started biting me HARD (this was also a day he spiked a very high fever and was diagnosed with a viral ear infection). He actually drew blood multiple times and was biting so hard I couldn't help but yell out when he did it. I don't think it was a slow let down due to lack of supply because he wouldn't even try to suck. He would act like he was going to latch on and then just chomp down. On the fourth day, he stopped nursing and has been refusing to latch on at all. He hasn't nursed a single drop in more than 48 hours. I've still been trying to pump some to maintain my supply, but I pumped once at the end of the day today and got 2 oz from both breasts combined.
It seems like between the separation, the ear infection, and teething, he is weaning maybe before he's really ready. But I don't know how long to give him. I would have really preferred to nurse at least 2 years, especially since I'm working and it is such nice closeness. But 13 months is a decent stretch.
Should I just give up or does anyone have any advice about how to interest him in nursing again?
