ready to give up???

[jeteaa]

is my 8 1/2 month old weaning? since about 7 months, she has become a "picky" nurser, only nursing 1: going down for am nap, 2: for pm nap, 3: going down for bed, then maybe a few times at night. And these are all just few minute nurses, usually on just one breast. She usually won't nurse when she wakes, even if her last nursing was 3 - 4 hrs ago. She WON'T nurse anywhere but in bed. To confuse matters she has had a stuffy nose for about 3 weeks, which has made nursing difficult for her. I also have a 33 month old (self weaned when I was 4 months preg), who likes/needs to go places, and I feel trapped in the house "waiting" for dd2 to nurses. So what I need to know is: is this enough nursing/milk for dd2? should I pump and cup feed her? she does like solids, so what combo should I do?

[mama24-7]

Hi there - you worried!

Babies rarely wean themselves this young. It sounds to me like she's very distracted, especially since you say she really only likes to nurse in bed. Less going on then, I'd imagine.

When feeding a baby solids, it's usually recommended that the baby be nursed first until the baby finishes since breastmilk is meant to be the majority of their diet at this age.

Are you able to nurse in a sling? How about while your older child works on a quiet activity, perhaps on the floor in the bedroom, so you can try to nurse her more often? Can you get some books on tape/cd from the library for him/her to quietly listen to while you nurse the baby?

Does she take a bottle/pacifier? If so, her sucking needs will be met there instead of at your breast.

Talking IRL w/ other moms who've been through this stage may be helpful. Do you attend LLL meetings? IF not, now may be a good time to start.

HTH,
Sus