Breastfeeding problems with 9 month old, refusing bottle, and decreased milk supply?

Question

I breastfeed my daughter exclusively for 6 months. My supply was never overflowing, but she was always above average in weight. Toward the end of the 6 months I felt my body was not producing as much milk at night, so I was happy when we could supplement with solids at 6 months. She was a great mashed food eater for about 3 months, and then about 1 week ago started refusing most solid foods. She'll eat cheerios, but that is about it. Rather, she has reverted to wanting to nurse all the time. Problem is my milk supply has decreased substantially since I started her on solids.
I have tried to nurse her longer so that my milk supply will come up, but she gets so frustrated when the supply stops that she starts screaming, hitting, and kicking out of sheer frustration. On top of that, she is refusing a bottle and will only take a few sips from the sippy cup before refusing that too. Any advice on how to get the milk supply up again or why she is suddenly refusing solids?

Answer 1

((hugs)) mama. This can be very frustrating. Is she teething? Has she recently been sick? Have you tried not mashing her food? One of my kids stopped eating the mashed stuff in favor of things with more substance, so I started giving her soft cooked carrots and other veggies, lean tender cuts of chicken and beef and the like. Maybe some crackers?

As for building your supply back up, there are a few things you can try. Eat oatmeal if you like it. The real stuff, not the instant stuff. Drink Mother's Milk Tea, usually available at a health food store or some grocery stores (like Kroger, Whole Foods and maybe Walmart). Take fenugreek caps, also available at your health food store. Drink lots of water. Keep yourself hydrated. Here's a good link with other stuff too - http://www.kellymom.com/herbal/milksupply/herbal-rem_a.html

Answer 2

When you put 'refusing bottle' and 'decreasing milk supply' in the same sentence, it's very obvious what's happening. If you want to wean, don't take your time doing it, unless you don't mind the breastfeeding thing going altogether. It's very normal for bubs to breastfeed less when they start solids. As for the bottle/breast issue, I think it may be time to decide whether to just breastfeed or just offer bottles and talk to your early childhood nurse. I'm sure you want whats best for your baby. If you don't give in and exclusively breastfeed, there's a strong chance your supply should come up again, but be strong and keep an eye out for dehydration, just in case. Good luck!

Answer 3

well.. i would say she's probably teething... many babies refuse to eat when they are... and about the milk supply, the best way to build it back up is to pump (if you can- which you can get a cheap electric pump from walmart- $40) and pump for 5 minutes on each side and then 5 again.. or just nurse more frequently... it's not the length of feedings that build up your milk supply, but rather the frequency.. .so the more you nurse, the more milk you will have.. good luck.. i'm sure it will all work out and she'll get back on track soon.

Answer 4

I did too. Sadly you never really can tell how much they're getting. Just increase the number of times she latches on. Even if it's not even long enough to get the "let-down" the hormones will be released and within a week or so, you'll be filling back up again. YOur body will think you need more milk so it will make more.

Answer 5

I went through that. Take an afternoon/evening out of the house. Have dad or grandma tend to the baby. She will get hungry enough to take something to eat.

Buy a variety of nipples and bottles to try on her. she will not starve. She might have issues with the temperature of the formula you are giving her. Try changing formulas.

being worried will not help your milk supply.

She is going through a phase