What does self weaning feel like?

[bekkyboo]

Garrett has started to not feed properly. He will feed for a little bit but then just pull back from the nipple with full suction still (OUCH), pull off reattach, pull off carry on etc etc... but if i sit him up he crys cause he still hungry - so i try again, same goes round. Its like he gets enough to quench his thirst, but doesnt want the boob to fill his belly, cause i offer him a top up bottle feed, and he goes bananas with it - drinking it completely.

I dont think its my supply as i can still hand express some out easy as, so its coming down and its there for him, he just doesnt want to take it.

whats happening?

[Goosie22]

Self weaning, is something that happens so gradually (usually) and the quality of the feed is not affected. When self weaning happens the feeds arn't substituted for another suck feed, the baby has decided to not feed and rather drink from a cup (water/milk). My children just skiped feeds for a few days and would come back others for extra then one day they just didnt have any (3+ for DS1 and 15months for DS2).

In your case I think that offering the bottle is a contributing factor to the lack of interest in feeding? The milk flow from a bottle is much faster thus easier and of coarse its easier then and preferable to working for the feed. I wouldnt offer any fluids from a bottle only a cup then you know if he wants to suck he drinks boob and if he wants a drink he drinks from a cup.

[bekkyboo]

he has been on a couple of bottle feeds a day for about 5 weeks now... We pull back on the bottle so he still has to work for it, and its the thickened formula for reflux....

this problem been happening for the past couple of days... he wont settle after a feed. I dont always offer him a bottle, but i had to on his last feed because he was crying because he was still hungry.

[Lambie]

Hi Bek,

Emily has been doing this since she was Garretts age. I have put it down to her just being fussy (either classic "Princess" behaviour, or gets it from her Father!!). I find that if I perserver by changing sides, distracting her for a chat etc. she will eventually latch on properly and empty the breast.

I know this can be extremely frustrating and painful (in fact I think I have established asbestos nipples...:laughing: ) and you will probably find that a feed will take longer than before. Patience is the key!!:thumbsup:

Call me if you need to chat about it.

[jarrahsmumma]

maybe a call to the ABA might help, the probably know a few useful tricks:yes:

hope it resolves soon

[Nickster]

My DD starting fussing at the breast in a similar way at the same age - attaching, pulling off, whingeing/crying and then re-attaching. It took ages to get her to feed! After discussions with the ABA and my LC, we figured out that she was just impatient for the letdown to begin, and it was just a stage she was going through. It lasted for a few weeks, and then she settled down and didn't fuss so much.

Possibly this is what your littlie is going through - maybe he's just expecting your milk to flow out immediately like it would from a bottle.

If you're having doubts, I would strongly recommend contacting the ABA or a CHN or finding a Lactation Consultant.:thumbsup:

[Goosie22]

but i had to on his last feed because he was crying because he was still hungry.

Hi,
Couldnt you put him back to the breast? If he was hungry he would breastfeed.

It dosent have to be everyday, bottles do increase the likelyhood of weaning, through decreased supply and babies preference (as it is easier to drink out of than breast or cup)

[Tea Lady]

I definitely wouldn't assume that he's weaning himself - babies often have a few off days but it doesn't mean he's finished with feeding. Maybe you could call the ABA and see what they have to say? They would certainly have better ideas than I would! :)

[jsnowdon]

both my kids started to fuss too when they were about4-5 mths old, but it was when my periods started up again, i think the milk tastes a little different ,but it takes a few days for them to get over it. that might be possible in your case???

[dannii]

hi
sounds like exactly what happened to me. i was really surprised. she kept attatching and pulling off the breast much the same as you described... she appeared hungry but wouldnt finish a breastfeed and then would go nuts on the bottle. i eventually caved it and stucked to the bottle.

i really wasnt finished breastfeeding, but wanted to do, what i thought, made her happier.

My other kids were breastfed for 12 months, so this is the shortest time i have breastfed, but shes much happier now.