Is my breastfeeding journey over?
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@Kate She’s always had a very shallow latch so I struggle to get more in her mouth and the way she does it makes it look like she’s going to latch then she will bite down and pull back really quickly 😭😫 I’ve found it so hard as she’s won’t even latch for a second atm so have been having to give her just bottles which has just made me feel so down as I’ve felt so out of control of it all. I know I’ve been so lucky to have breastfed her for 9 months but I can’t help this overwhelming sense of it all having ended so abruptly. I really hope she cuts her teeth soon and starts back again.
Sounds like a nursing strike to me, I think it would be very unusual for a baby to self wean before age 2. There are some tips for things you could try here, I’d definitely try dream feeding to see if she’ll latch in her sleep. https://laleche.org.uk/nursing-strikes/
@Lauren oh interesting thank you I’ve just had a bit of a read. Didn’t even know this was a thing. She used to dream feed when she was new born but she has a bottle before bed now as that’s when my husband gets to feed her.
Hopefully it helps, but I’d see if she will latch when she’s relaxed and asleep and see if that gets things going again 🤞
Hi there! I am a breastfeeding counselor. It is actually extremely rare for a baby to self wean under 12 months, in fact, under 2 yrs! It's likely a nursing strike, as you mention biting, I would assume due to pain from teething. Try giving her lots of opportunities to bite on things and help with her teething pains. Also offer teething powder and or calpol half hour or so before feeding and see if that helps. Many babies can be 'tricked' to latch while sleepy too. I'd also just go back to basics and have lots of skin to skin and calm bonding time with baby. https://laleche.org.uk/nursing-strikes/
@Charlotte thank you so much. I will definitely try this. I think I’ve been so anxious as I’ve started back at work recently so I’m not there to feed her on my days in work and so I thought maybe that was why she had stopped wanting to be breastfed but I will try the sleepy tactic and see if that helps.
It could be due to teething? Especially if she’s biting down. My little boy started to bite & get fussy on the boob when he was cutting in his 2 two top teeth - but then it passed 🙏🏼 When they bite, even though it’s hard, try to gently just pull her off & not react too much. I would always make sure he had a really deep latch & pull my nipple out if I felt he was done/not hungry! Hope this is a phase for you & passes