Self-weaning at 9 months?

How can this be possible? She is still so little! DD was EBF until about a month ago when I wasn't able to pump enough to feed her while i was at work, so we switched to formula during the day. I was still nursing her in the morning and before bed. Now all of a sudden she wants nothing to do with me! I BF'd her older sister until she was 21 months. I am heartbroken and feel awful. I am still offering her to nurse before I give in and give her a bottle. She will latch for about 2 mins and then refuse and arch her back. I give in and give her a bottle so as to not put her to bed hungry or have her go hungry in the morning until it's breakfast time. I do have AF and she did really start this just as AF started. This is my 2nd PP AF and during the last one she was fine. My supply took a major dip, but she nursed through it. Any insight is appreciated. I am totally not ready to give up this early!

Re: Self-weaning at 9 months?

Chances are its a nursing strike, not weaning. Checkout kellymom.com. If you google nursing strike you will come across many pages about it and ways to get baby back on the breast.

Re: Self-weaning at 9 months?

Oiy...I'm afraid I'm at the beginning of this with DD2 also.
I went back to work last week and pump once at work. I nurse her in the am and pm and her STILL 3am feeding and I notice lately she only eats for a short amount of time. I still feel full after she pulls away (and end up pumping the rest).
When I'm at work she gets BM and FM bottles. I don't know what it is but I truly don't want to stop BFing yet (she's ONLY 6 months).

Re: Self-weaning at 9 months?

My DD self- weaned at 9 months, she was EBF and rarely had bottles. Her doctor said I could just not offer an alternative to try to get her to nurse, but I honestly couldn't deal with the battles. I pumped for about a month, but being that I only got 2-3oz at a time, I switched to formula for her 10th month and milk at 11months.

Re: Self-weaning at 9 months?

Both of my kids weaning off at 9 months. No clue why. I
Pumped for a few more months until I could out them on whole milk.

Self-weaning at 9 months?

My mom and I were just talking about this today. She said when she and everyone she knew were nursing in her day, a small number of babies self weaned at 9 months.

Re: Self-weaning at 9 months?

Not only does milk taste different just before and during your period, but it also takes much more work for her to get a let down. She's definitely not ready to wean at 9 months...but is likely frustrated by the low/slow supply. Since she's had the immediate gratification of a bottle, she knows that if she pulls off you, you will give a bottle. My supply takes a major hit when I ovulate and during my luteal phase. In order to help my situation I take a calcium-magnesium supplement from mid-cycle until my period comes. Last month my 9 month old DD did not seem to fuss as much at the breast as she did my first PP period (I'm only 2 months in). And, the calcium-mag has the additional benefit of ameliorating PMS symptoms, which many physicians believe to be related to calcium deficits during that time. Anyway, hang in there. Definitely keep offering it to her. Eat oatmeal, drink tons of water and mother's milk tea. And consider the supplement. Also, maybe consider not giving formula before bed. This will encourage her to nurse or wake up soon from hunger. It will suk for a couple of nights, but she will learn that she needs to work a bit harder. You may also try to change your position...maybe walk around while having her latched on. No matter what...don't give up yet. It's just hormones wreaking havoc again!!

Re: Self-weaning at 9 months?

Thanks for the adivce it's sooo appreciated! Tonight she wouldn't latch at all . I am not giving up though. Gonna keep trying.

This is just so foreign to me since I have to cut her older sister off at 21 months!