9 month old self weaning? :(

[Escaping]

For the past week or two, my 9 month old baby hasn't been nursing at all. He doesn't really seem interested anymore and even if I get him to latch it's just for a quick second and he just sits there and chews on me. I'm not sure if he's self weaning or my milk is drying up? I've had supply issues this whole time, but planned to breastfeed long term as long as I could but I'm feeling like this is the end of the road for us :(

I tried pumping to keep my supply up but that's never worked really well for me, I've tried several pumps but was never able to get much. 

I haven't changed his diet, there haven't really been any other changes that would effect his appetite so I'm not sure what's going on with him. 

[MichelleZB]

Does he have a cold? My little man went on a nursing strike for a week because he had a plugged up nose and couldn't get good suction.

[Escaping]

I don't think so... he drinks from his bottle the same as he normally does, in fact he just drank 8oz without taking a breath! lol

[phathui5]

A nine month old is not ready to wean. Many babies end up weaning early because they have a nursing strike that mom thinks is weaning. Him getting bottles on top of having a typical nine month old nursing strike could be compounding the issue.

These links have lots of information:

http://kellymom.com/bf/concerns/child/back-to-breast/

http://www.motherandchildhealth.com/Breastfeeding/Becky/strike.html

[Escaping]

Thanks those links are helpful :)

Are nursing strikes at 9 months typical?

[transylvania_mom]

Can you stop giving him bottles?

Babies don't self wean, they need breastmilk (or formula, or some type of milk). You baby prefers the bottle.
 

[Escaping]

I'd like to but it's unfortunately not an option for us. 

He's had a bottle since he was about a month old and has never before preferred the bottle... I'm not sure if it's me or him...

[Asiago]

Do you babywear? Breastfeeding in a sling or soft structured carrier can be a very effective way of increasing latching on, actual feeding and increasing your milk supply. photos: http://www.nursingfreedom.org/2010/10/breastfeeding-while-babywearing-part-4.html

I personally have found motion to be very effective in encouraging baby to latch on and feed. You may wish to try it the next time baby unlatches or just nibbles instead of suckling.

[Escaping]

I'l give that a try
He normally doesn't like to be in a sling because he likes to be on the floor and into everything, but maybe if there is a boob in his mouth, he'll sit still lol

[MrsGregory]

My Little Miss isn't weaned and so certainly didn't wean at 9 months, but she didn't like the boob the way she did before solids either.  Once she got the hang of eating, the boob was yesterday's newspaper.  She also hated being worn once she could sit up on her own, and certainly once she could move at all.  I found it really helped to nurse her when she was sleepy, in a nice calm, quiet area.  At 9 months, she had dropped down to nursing 3 times a day, and there wasn't anything I could do to get her more interested again.  We are still nursing 1-2 times a day at 16 months.  Some days she barely nurses at those sessions, and some days, like today, she asks to nurse and is more interested.  I am not sure I'm ready to wean, I am sure I'm ready for her to make up her mind about weaning or not.  We've been in limbo for a few months now.  I'm certain that wasn't helpful, but I wanted to let you know you're not alone if you've got a babe that's kind of "Meh." about boobs.

[Escaping]

Originally Posted by MrsGregory 

My Little Miss isn't weaned and so certainly didn't wean at 9 months, but she didn't like the boob the way she did before solids either.  Once she got the hang of eating, the boob was yesterday's newspaper.  She also hated being worn once she could sit up on her own, and certainly once she could move at all.  I found it really helped to nurse her when she was sleepy, in a nice calm, quiet area.  At 9 months, she had dropped down to nursing 3 times a day, and there wasn't anything I could do to get her more interested again.  We are still nursing 1-2 times a day at 16 months.  Some days she barely nurses at those sessions, and some days, like today, she asks to nurse and is more interested.  I am not sure I'm ready to wean, I am sure I'm ready for her to make up her mind about weaning or not.  We've been in limbo for a few months now.  I'm certain that wasn't helpful, but I wanted to let you know you're not alone if you've got a babe that's kind of "Meh." about boobs.

Thanks, that is helpful to know that there is someone else experiencing the same problems but still breastfeeding :)

I've talked to my LCs and all they keep suggesting is to pump... gah, so frustrating!!