nursing strike in 12mo old going to result in weaning :(

[carriemama]

My (almost) 12 month old has refused to nurse since Saturday. Screams and turns away upon even looking at my boob. This couldn't come at a worse time.

Last week, I had AF AND stomach bug AND had to travel for work (away 2 nights). My supply was horrible. I managed to pump only 12oz in 48hrs while I was gone. Nursed him when I got home and he was pissed at the lack of milk, sucked and sucked for little reward. The next day, he wanted nothing to do with nursing and hasn't since. He has happily sucked down bottles of pumped milk or formula.

I am hoping he will come back to nursing - I keep offering, he refuses, I feel rejected and sad and then go pump my measly amounts of milk. I work fulltime, so our nursing time when I got home and before bed and in the mornings has been so special to me. I don't know what else to do. To make it more complicated, we're traveling to my parents for Christmas, so all schedules etc will be off.

I think this is going to be it. If things were different - better supply, it wasn't the holidays, etc. - maybe we could go back to nursing, but I just don't see how it's going to happen. And I am SO SAD about this. I really thought we'd nurse for longer.

[rebecca_n]

[Megan73]

I'm so, so sorry you're struggling with this. It's so hard to feel your LO is rejecting you.
First, kellymom.com has some great resources on nursing strikes.
One thing that has really helped me with a reluctant older baby is (as silly as it sounds ) going topless - when co-sleeping, wearing baby in a front carry or just playing with them on the floor. It takes the pressure off and reminds them that they want to nurse.
Another idea - are you using slow-flow bottles? That might make them a less attractive alternative for your LO or you could switch to a cup so he won't be getting all his sucking out on a bottle.
I hope it works out for you, mama. I can tell from the sadness in your post that you're not ready for your nursing relationship to end.

[foreverinbluejeans]

I agree with not giving him any bottles and give him formula and expressed milk by cup but if he wants to suck it would have to be from you. Since he is almost one you can be feeding more solids and weaning from the formula. At 12 months a baby no longer needs formula and only needs 2 toddler size servings of milk products a day. So he would be going from around 32 ounces of formula to 12 ounces of milk products somewhat suddenly when he turns one (seems strange to me). Formula was developed just to keep babies that weren't breastfed alive until they were a year old and could eat regular food. Many toddlers like so many foods with milk in them that they get more than 2 servings without drinking andy milk.

If you can take one or two days and spend it in bed with him you may be able to get him nursing again. Sometimes we face hard choices. I would cancel a trip if I thought the outcome would be my baby would wean. That's me. I hear you not being ready (SO SAD) to wean and wanting breastfeeding for your baby. If you give up now you may regret it forever. It sends some women into a depression.

If you are going to let weaning happen or if you can't do anything to stop it from happening it is best for you and your baby if you can somehow come to peace with your decision. You made it to almost a year and can very soon be rid of formula and bottles. A year is a good goal. There are other goals - 2, baby-led, 3, when they go to school:) - but nursing until a baby is 1 is great for a working mother.