breastfeeding issues in 9 month old is she trying to wean???? please help?

Question

my baby girl will be 9 months in 10 days time well just lately she dosent like to nurse she latches on then gets straight off then starts screaming and throwing herself around what could this be shes never really been a comfort nurser only get on do the job and finish lol.
ive had dramas since day one i should just give up ay i have low milk supply all through out i am on meds for it my baby was toungue tied the list goes on ive had a rough trot with this one.
my thoughts are is she teething sometimes when she refuses i put teething gel on and she will nurse however there are no signs of teething what so ever she already has 2 teeth i dont think she acted like that when they came through in january.ive heard stories of babies weaning themselves??
another thing though i try to offer her a bottle from time to time with expressed breastmilk sometimes she refuses that aswell like she dosent even want milk in general whats with that any advice would be great thanks

well yes i thought i was pregnant ive had all the symptoms and some but i took a hpt this morning and it was negative unsure when my period was due maybe the 10th of this month.
she hasent been having that many wet diapers and dosent eat that much solids either equivelent to maybe 2 maximum 3 little jars a day.she is not underweight

Answer 1

I agree with answerer #1, but wanted to add. Sometimes, babies go through "nursing strikes" where they don't want to nurse much. It only last maybe a week if not less. Just try to nurse her when she is tired and lay off of solids a little bit. Nurse her at night, when she is more receptive, and try different positions again.
Another reason may be an ear infection. My little one had a little ear infection and didn't want to nurse hardly at all at first. It puts pressure on their ears a little, and makes them uncomfortable.

Its still a little early for her to be "self-weaning". Babies don't often do this, its more often that the mother is confused about a "nursing strike" and ends up weaning her baby early. Good luck with nursing! It sounds like your doing a great job! You are a very devoted and selfless mother for sticking with it through all of that!

Answer 2

My kids went through nursing strikes where they just didn't want to nurse, but they always came back. (They nursed, at least once or twice a day, until past their first birthdays.) The most common reason for a nursing strike is some sort of pain--teeth, ears--and it affects their willingness to nurse OR take a bottle.

Try giving her some Motrin. If she's got something going on, like teething or an ear infection, it will ease the pain and let her focus. If it works, you know that something hurts when she sucks, and you can talk to the pediatrician about it. If not, you'll know that those two really common causes are not why she's not eating, and you can tell the pediatrician that, too.

There's nothing wrong with weaning her now, but you're so close to being able to give her regular milk. It would be a bummer to have to do three months' worth of formula if you can hold out just a little longer!

Answer 3

I'm so sorry to hear that you've had so much trouble breastfeeding since the very beginning. You should be very proud of yourself for making it this long in spite of all your challenges! Here's a few of the possibilities I can think of:

1) teething -- I know you said she didn't do this with her other two teeth, but maybe the next tooth or two are hurting more than the others, especially if she nurses better after you put teething gel on.
2) cluster feeding/fussy evenings -- is it the same time of day when she is fussy? Lots of babies have a fussy period, typically from around 5 or 6 at night until 8 or 9. Pay attention and see if it's the same time every night. I put a link at the bottom of the page about this.
3) low supply -- since you said this has been a problem before, maybe you are having supply issues. I put some links at the bottom for this, too.
4) pregnancy -- my daughter weaned herself early (at 11 months) when I became pregnant. I know you said you took a test already, but my daughter quit exactly a week after I conceived, most likely too early for me to be able to detect the pregnancy. Test again if you are still having symptoms!
5) your diet -- have you changed anything recently in your diet? Had any especially spicy food or anything like that? Since the taste of breastmilk changes with your diet, maybe there's something you ate that she doesn't like.
6) nursing strink -- well you've already got a few good links for that (I love the Kellymom websites) so I won't parrot what you've already heard.
7) heightened awareness of surroundings -- now that I think of it, after reading a few other answerers, I do recall both of my babies slowing down a little around this age. It's the same age when they start becoming absolute terrors when it comes to diaper changing (at least for mine!) They are just so excited that they can move around that they don't want to sit still for anything.
8) illness -- both congestion and ear infection will interfere with nursing. Check your baby's temperature and consider whether your baby's nursing has slowed down because of discomfort while nursing from congestion or ear infection.

Babies under a year don't usually sefl-wean. I put a link at the bottom about this, too. If she does wean, she'll have to be switched to formula, and I'm sure you know that is not as healthy for her as your breastmilk is! Until you can figure out what the problem is and fix it, keep trying her at the breast, try to be patient, and maybe even try pumping and giving it to her in a cup if she'll take it. Watch those wet diapers!

I really recommend you contact your local La Leche League for help. My experience with them has been very positive, and they've helped me through a lot of different breastfeeding issues. I put a link at the bottom for them, too.

Good luck; I hope I helped a little at least!

Answer 4

Congratulations on persevering with breastfeeding for the past nine months! It sounds like you have had a rough go of it and you should be very proud of the gift of health and comfort that you have given your daughter by sticking with it.

In answer to your question, I don't think that your baby is trying to wean as this would be a very early age for a baby to initiate weaning. The average age for babies to initiate weaning worldwide is 3 years (note: NOT the parent initiating weaning). There are a number of things that could be happening here and while I can not speculate on the exact cause, some things to consider:

1. At around nine months of age, many babies go through a developmental period where they become more aware of their environment and start to express interest in becoming mobile (crawling/walking). There is a natural "dip" in interest in breastfeeding around this time for many children. Babies become distracted by their surroundings. It doesn't mean that the baby wants to wean, it just means that there is less interest and that this will in all likelihood pick up in a few weeks as this developmental phase passes.

2. Your baby may be sick...she may be nauseous, or might be having trouble breathing through her nose. Check to see if she has a cold/flu. Also, check to see if she has an ear infection....As she lays her head down, the fluid will build up in her ear canal and cause her pain. This may be why she is screaming.

3. Your milk supply may be low and she is frustrated because nothing is coming out when she is nursing. Are you drinking enough water? Are you getting rest? Are you under stress? Are you taking your medications regularly?

4. Your baby may be on a breastfeeding "strike". Some babies go through this and will resume interest in a few days. Keep offering to her and things may pick up soon.

Finally, I think that you should contact someone at Le Leche League. I am sure that you will get accurate information there and also support. Keep in mind that we are living in a culture that does not understand breastfeeding...especially when you are talking about nursing an older baby. It is possible that you may get inaccurate/biased information.....Always consider the source when receiving advice.

Always remember, YOU are the mother. YOU and your baby need to make decisions about breastfeeding.

Answer 5

Any chance that you are Pregnant? I know babies tend to self wean if you are expecting. Otherwise, it may be she is getting too much solid food and snacks and she is not hungry for milk. You could try to nurse first before any solid food. Making it to 9 months is much longer than most make it. Congrats! Try not to stress. She may be teething too like you said. Don't give up yet, but if she is still screaming after a couple days of trying, I would call you pediatrician. Good Luck

Answer 6

I'm in the exact same situation with my little one. She's 9 months and she's refusing to breastfeed. I do believe she's no longer interested in breastfeeding. What I can suggest to you is still pump and buy a nipple that leaks out very fast. I can get 4-6 ounces in mine because of this. She would not take the bottle either and drank only 1 to 2 ounces at a time. The one I found were at WalMart, they are shaped to imitate the breast and I think they are the nuk name brand. They make sizes for yourger ones and older ones. It says to put the hole facing the roof of the mouth but my little one will only drink if the hole is facing her tongue. As for the foods, I would try and encourage her to eat a little more. How is she for pablum? One trick I picked up is to mix fruit with the pablum. Another trick is to buy the pablum where you have to add formula or breastmild. There's another 2 ounces or so in her! Best of luck and be patient. She will come around! In the mean time enjoy cause they grow up too darn fast!

Answer 7

Babies do NOT self-wean this early. Unless they are being bottlefed too. i do have 2 friends who got pregnant while their nurslings were young and they did have to supplement until the new babe was born, so its not impossible that that is your case.

She is on a nursing strike. This is exactly the right time for it. See if you can just take her to bed for a day and nurse nurse nurse. let her have free access to the breast and do not give her solids.

Answer 8

Nursing strike. Its pretty normal and it DOES NOT man shes weaning.

Babies don't wean themselves much before 18-24 months (unless theres a pregnancy involved... )

Answer 9

Some babies self wean before one year; I've talked to four women who've had this happen. I admire how hard you've worked at breastfeeding. You could continue to express milk to maintain your supply and either store it, donate it, or mix it in with some fruit or cereal so she'll still be getting it. That way if she changes her mind and wants to nurse, the milk will still be there. By the way, does she still want to nurse when she's sleeping? Some babies don't want to in the day when they're active and exploring their newfound independence, but go back to younger behaviors at night.

Answer 10

I agree with answers number one! Any chance? It has been that way everytime my children don't want to nurse or act like it tastes bad turns out I'm pregnant!!!