14 month old nursing strike? :(

[lissybeth74]

I need advice badly... I'm not sure what to do.

My 14 month old son has been EBF since birth, and didn't really start on solids until he was 9 months or so. Up until now we've had no problems with BF. He's always loved it. Well a few days ago we sat down to nurse, he arched his back, and practically bit my nipple off. I gave him his space and tried again later. He's been teething a bit, so I thought maybe he's just not in the mood. The next time, he did the same thing. It's been a few days now of the same behavior... and I'm SO sad. I did not plan to be done BF this abruptly. I don't understand what has happened. It's like he wants nothing to do with me anymore. I've been pumping and giving him my milk in a cup and he'll take some of it. (In the meantime, he's eating like a horse!) I'm just so hormonal/emotional/confused. Is this a nursing strike or has he maybe decided he's done? I don't want to give up if it's just a phase, but I have no experience at all with this. (I BF my two older boys, but for not as long).

Sore and sad,
Melissa

[alegna]

He's too young to wean and with the sudden stop it sounds like a strike. Keep offering often in a low-key way.

Cosleep and offer at night and when sleepy or asleep.

I wouldn't offer any other milks or any other sucking (pacifiers, bottles, sippy cups etc) Just water in an open cup to drink.

Also I wouldn't spoon feed- just let him self feed any solids.

good luck!

-Angela

[Epona]

Babies can wean that young. It does happen, amongst the foodies, that also sleep through he night, and don't comfort nurse. I've btdt. However, it is very uncommon. And the sudden nature of your situation certainly sounds like a strike. Weaning is usually gradual and obvious because of it. If he was weaning, you would have noticed lesser feeding leading up to it I think. So I would definitely treat it as a strike in your shoes. Hang in there! Strikes do pass. I've survived five so far!