Help - no milk

[mummy2sophie]

I need help. My 9.5 month old is refusing the breast and won't drink milk from a cup (she's always refused bottles). :banghead:

I have tried expressing and putting the milk in the cup and full fat milk and a mixture of the two. I've even put the milk in a different cup from her water one! But she will only sip at it and not drink nearly as much milk as she needs. Right now she's having about 30 mL a day plus a morning breastfeed - the only breastfeed she'll have - and only one side at that. She does drink a lot of water though, so she seems to be getting plenty of fluids.

I wanted to wean her anyway, so I'm actually pleased she's refusing the breast. But I'm not happy if she won't have milk from a cup either. Is it okay for me to up her dose of dairy in other ways (I can hide cheese in her solids and yogurt in her breakfast).

She was sick with an ear infection a week ago (had to see the doc on Christmas Eve can you believe that?) and seemed soothed by the breast then. But then suddenly for the last couple of days she wants nothing to do with it. She is most certainly not sick now - she's a very happy, smiley bubba. :p

What should I do??

[the pero clinic]

Dear Mummy2sophie,

Bubs can be frustrating and confusing sometimes can’t they. You seem to be in a tricky situation where your bub is at the age where she certainly still needs the nutritional goodness of breastmilk or formula, but is nearing the age where you may be considering weaning her to cow’s milk. Breastmilk or formula is recommended to 1 year (and beyond) and it is recommended that cow’s milk is not offered before this time.

I would suggest that it would be worth persisting in offering breastmilk or formula at this stage. There is nothing wrong with adding extra dairy to foods, but this will not be able to replace the additional goodies found in breastmilk or infant formula.

Is it possible that your bub has decreased her milk feeds because she is eating too much solid food during the day? At 9 ½ months, she should be having 100mL of formula / kg weight, or around 3 good breastfeeds every day. So 30mL formula and a quick breastfeed really isn’t enough. 3 solid meals a day should also be plenty.

If you are finding breast refusal to be too much of a struggle, then it is worth persuing formula feeds rather than just water or nothing at all. It’s good that you are trying a different cup for water and milk. Try to make formula feeds as much like breastfeeding as possible. Cuddle your bub closely and help her hold the cup. Avoid valved cups that are difficult and frustrating to drink from. Hold her in a quiet, distraction free place and make it as enjoyable for both of you as possible. Continue to offer your morning breastfeeds for as long as you like.

If you find that your little girl continues to refuse all but a small amount of breastmilk or formula, please see your doctor, CHN or a paediatric feeding specialist.

the pero clinic