I don't think I'm making milk anymore
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DD2 is 14 months and is a healthy little girl who eats well. She nursed well from birth, and I intended to nurse her well into her second year (my older kids both weaned around two years of age). However, I have reason to believe I'm no longer making milk, and I'm conflicted about whether I should give up on the issue or try to increase my supply.
Background: Around 10-11 months of age, DD began refusing to nurse during the day. We would sit in our favorite chair and situate ourselves, but instead of nursing, she'd turn her head away from my breast and thrash around until I put her down. I offered several times during the day, but the most she'd do was half-heartedly mouth my nipple before pulling away. The only time she nursed was at night before bed. We co-sleep, so sometimes she'd partake in a middle-of-the-night feeding, but usually not.
Last week DD fell ill with the flu. She has reumed nursing with greater frequency since becoming sick, but I don't think I'm making milk anymore. I cannot hear her swallowing milk while she nurses, nor does milk dribble from her mouth when she looks up at me and grins during her nursing time. I cannot express milk from either of my breasts. Perhaps most importantly, the fact she became sick at all and is taking so long to recover is the biggest clue that I'm not producing milk anymore.
My older kids nursed well into their second year. When they were 14 months old neither child showed any inclination to stop nursing. Not having any milk for my barely one-year-old child is new territory for me. Is there a definitive way to determine whether my milk is gone now? And if it is, is there any point in trying to get my supply back, (other than the obvious health benefits to DD)? I mean, if I can increase my supply but DD won't nurse, what's the point? I appreciate any insight or hearing others' experiences with a young toddler who gives up on nursing. Thanks.
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DD2 is 14 months and is a healthy little girl who eats well. She nursed well from birth, and I intended to nurse her well into her second year (my older kids both weaned around two years of age). However, I have reason to believe I'm no longer making milk, and I'm conflicted about whether I should give up on the issue or try to increase my supply.
Background: Around 10-11 months of age, DD began refusing to nurse during the day. We would sit in our favorite chair and situate ourselves, but instead of nursing, she'd turn her head away from my breast and thrash around until I put her down. I offered several times during the day, but the most she'd do was half-heartedly mouth my nipple before pulling away. The only time she nursed was at night before bed. We co-sleep, so sometimes she'd partake in a middle-of-the-night feeding, but usually not.
Last week DD fell ill with the flu. She has reumed nursing with greater frequency since becoming sick, but I don't think I'm making milk anymore. I cannot hear her swallowing milk while she nurses, nor does milk dribble from her mouth when she looks up at me and grins during her nursing time. I cannot express milk from either of my breasts. Perhaps most importantly, the fact she became sick at all and is taking so long to recover is the biggest clue that I'm not producing milk anymore.
My older kids nursed well into their second year. When they were 14 months old neither child showed any inclination to stop nursing. Not having any milk for my barely one-year-old child is new territory for me. Is there a definitive way to determine whether my milk is gone now? And if it is, is there any point in trying to get my supply back, (other than the obvious health benefits to DD)? I mean, if I can increase my supply but DD won't nurse, what's the point? I appreciate any insight or hearing others' experiences with a young toddler who gives up on nursing. Thanks.
Its possible even with her being over a yr. If she has decided she is done Im not sure there is much else to do. Do you feel her quitting was a nursing strike? If that was the case she may very well keep up the nursing. Good luck
