Low milk supply after failed attempt at weaning 16 mo old?

[lkmiscnet]

I tried to gradually wean my 16 mo old DS and it didn't go well. He's not eating much in the way of solids and has totally regressed to maybe 1% of his diet from solids from a high of maybe 25% just a couple of months ago (which I thought was low then).

Just a few days ago, I had a few stretches of 6-7 hours or so during the day of no nursing.

Now, when he nurses, especially at night after maybe 4-5 hours since the last nursing, I can hear him swallow for about 4-5 min on each side. He's always been an effective nurser. But, now he seems to cry and keep switching sides after the initial 4-5 min and I don't hear any swallowing. He will twiddle the one nipple he's not using, to the point where it hurts me, but if I redirect his hand, he cries and then wants to nurse off that side. He seems to be doing a lot of comfort nursing to the point of discomfort for me.

I'm worried that my supply may have been affected but those long stretches of not nursing.

He drinks perhaps 4 oz per day of coconut or cow's milk from a sippy cup and even getting him to drink that is a stretch.

And today, I noticed that he didn't have as many wet diapers as usual.

What are signs of low supply? I do still want to wean, but realize that until we get him eating more solids, I will likely have to hold off longer on doing so and I am fine with that.

[ElliesMomma]

my suggestions would be to forget about whether your supply is low. take steps to ramp it up. eat oatmeal. lots of oatmeal. also get lots of sleep, and eat other quality foods like steak, etc.

simultaneously, allow him to just do his thing. let him nurse as often as he likes. in fact, offer him often. if he wants to switch sides frequently, let him. sounds like you are OK with him twiddling... if so, let him, i have no doubt that helps increase your supply.

in short, relax about the weaning... and just return to breastfeeding on demand.

what are your reasons for wanting to wean in the first place?

[lkmiscnet]

Oatmeal? How does it impact supply? I'm not familiar with that one.

I've been drinking mother's milk tea since I started nursing, but I don't know if it has any positive impact once nursing is well established.

I haven't had a good night's sleep in months. We co-sleep and there was a time a few months ago when he would go 4.5 hour stretches, but now he's back at 2.5-3 hours of waking and nursing.

[mamaw/two]

I'm not sure why the oatmeal works, but I have seen that it does seem to work for me, as well as many other women. Here's a link about oatmeal and milk supply from kellymom http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/oatmeal.html. Remember to drink lots of water, although I'm sure you probably are. I agree with the pp, don't worry about low supply. Even if it is low, your lo is working hard to increase it! If there's demand, your body will up the supply
I also have a 16 month old son, and he had been nursing like crazy and not hardly eating solids, but once his molars broke through we've had a much happier babe who sleeps well and enjoys eating again! Maybe he's teething?