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Just turned 1...seems to have no interest in BF'ing suddenly!

post #1 of 8
12/26/10 at 3:39pm
Thread Starter 

Help Ladies...any advice/support is appreciated...I don't really have any family/friends who can relate, so I need a place to vent. :)

 

Well, DD just turned 1...and JUST started getting teeth as well. Naturally, all of the teeth seem to be coming in at the same time now. Anyway, my concerns are... She was still nursing at least 3-4 times/day last week (for maybe 3-5 minutes/session). Starting about 3 days ago...if I even go NEAR "our chair", she starts to cry. If I attempt to sit and nurse her, she'll throw a tantrum. It's awful! Makes me feel horrible! So I don't force it, obviously. I'm hoping it's not weaning... I felt inside her mouth, feels like an incisor is breaking the gum line, could it be teething?? On a side note, she just started to walk this week as well, so she's all excited about that. Is it just alot of new changes going on at the same time?? I'm sad because my supply is dropping, I can barely pump out any milk. But I'm SO not ready to give up! I hope she's not either! Any advice/support/suggestions would be appreciated, thanks in advance! ~Gina

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post #2 of 8
12/26/10 at 3:52pm

3-4x a day?! wow that's pretty low for a just turned 1 y/o!

DD is 15 m/o and still nursing 7-12x a day.

 

Do you limit BFing or feed on demand? is she nursing at night? Is she having any other milk?

 

She is not weaning, it's most likely the pain from the teething and maybe even a nursing strike :

Nursing Strikes

When babies abruptly stop nursing, it's a nursing strike - not weaning. Babies rarely wean on their own before 18-24 months, and self-weaning is almost never abrupt.

Will baby nurse while asleep or just waking up? This is usually one of the best times to try. You also might try nursing lying down or while walking around. See also the tips at the top of this page for persuading baby to nurse.

As long as baby is not nursing as often as before, you'll want to express milk to maintain your supply, stay comfortable, and reduce the risk of plugged ducts and mastitis.

Nursing Strikes

thats all from kellymom.com

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post #3 of 8
12/26/10 at 3:59pm
Thread Starter 

Oh my! Wow! I've always nursed on demand...but even at 6 months she was only nursing about 6x/day. :( I don't ever restrict it. But I can say she takes after Daddy and LOVES TO EAT solid food. She loves everything! But I always offer milk before she eats. She usually nurses upon waking...then again before 1st nap...then after 1st nap...then again before 2nd nap...and then bedtime. Nowadays, she's been refusing to nurse after the 1st nap...refuses again before 2nd nap (sometimes she will, sometimes she won't)...and then not interested before bed. She's just been SO cranky...and has shown no interest in nursing. Feels like a strike...or teething pain... I WISH she nursed more often, I miss it!!! *sigh*

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post #4 of 8
12/27/10 at 6:27am

well all kids are different as long as you aren't restricitng it I wouldn't worry. Maybe since she's refusing before naps its a sign she doesn't need 2 anymore? how does she sleep at night? 12 hours? has she been waking up earlier than normal or going to bed later?

 

Have you tried offering at two different times to "make up for" the 2x she won't nurse?

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post #5 of 8
12/27/10 at 6:29am

I a thinking it's most likely to do with the teething. It may be a teething/strike combo lol. I hope those links helped you. Do you give her anything for the teething? chamomilla helps a lot

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post #6 of 8
12/27/10 at 8:56am
Thread Starter 

I've been working on sign language ("milk") for about 2 months now. I wish she could just let me know when she wants it, lol! That would make life so much easier! Because yes, when she refuses, I'll try again later...and most of the time she's too worked up to relax and nurse. She's an extremely active baby. Has been since day 1...I'm really surprised I made it this far.

 

She does sleep through the night...has been since 6 months old. She sleeps for about 12 hours. We have had company in town for the holiday, so bedtime did get pushed a little bit later (maybe 30 min). Plus all the extra attention doesn't help, I'm sure. She's so keyed up by the time I bring her back to her room to settle down for either her nap or bedtime. I have a hard time getting her to relax.

 

This morning she took the left side eagerly...but refused the right side. Then about 3 hours later (first nap), she finally started pulling on my arm, so I tried to nurse her...fussed, but then took the left breast again...no luck with the right side (so I pumped it).

 

THEN...I noticed after she nursed, she pulled herself up and started crying and stuck her finger in her mouth. I do believe the culprit is teething. I do have Orajel on hand and Tylenol.

 

I just hope my supply will hang in! :(  Wondering if I should take any supplements, like Fenugreek...

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post #7 of 8
12/27/10 at 10:14am

i personally wouldn't use orajel or tylenol. Orajel will numb it for like a second...which tends to make things worse. I like Hylands teething gel b/c it relieves the pain and really helps calm her. If it's real bad I use homeopathic pain and fever reducer. Arnica and belladonna work well.

 

I would pump when you have to and just try and coax her to the breast as much as you can. has she decreased solids? Usually if it is teething it hurts to chew so they eat less...

 

You could als try numbing her gums with a little bit of ice before she nurses.

 

If she's not having early wakings I think the 2 naps are still ok. I know whenever DD starts waking at 4am or if shes up from 12am-2am we need a nap or bedtime adjustment. I just thought maybe she was resisting the nursing b/c she correlates it with sleep time KWIM?

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post #8 of 8
1/3/11 at 1:21pm

I want to suggest dream-feeding your LO before you go to bed.  I do this and it's probably one of our best nursing sessions because DS is asleep.  It also helps him sleep longer, which is always a plus.  smile.gif  I know that doesn't solve your overall problem, but it's an easy and effective (usually) way to get in another nursing session.

 

Good luck!  I started having some issues with my 12 MO nurser, too, and there is just so little support and information out there.  hug2.gif

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