BF help

[ashbash]

Ladies C is throwing me for a loop. I bf DD for 14 months with very little issue so Im not sure to how handle the problem we are having......

Background
C has been bf since day one and despite best efforts has never taken more than 1-2 oz from a bottle, he is also dairy intolerant. In the last month he has had a nasty cold/virus and back to back double ear infections.

Last week he started being very fussy at the breast and nursing much less than usual, sometimes only a few minutes on one side (usually its about 3-5 each side). He is on day 5 of antibiotics and the ear infection seems pretty cleared up. He is nursing 5x a day and getting 2-3 oz Im guessing and overnight 2x nursing longer so probably getting a full feed/4 oz. so maybe 15-20oz in 24 hr. I have tried nursing in a quiet dark room, in every position possible, with a lovey in his hands and no dice. He is eating solids like a pro, no change there.

Is it possible he is weaning? Any tips or tricks? Advice on where to go from here? Im worried because I can tell my supply is dropping despite tea, cookies and pumping when i can

[kemdupuis]

Unfortunately, I don't have any advice either. Just sending you positive vibes and hoping things turn around! I hope someone with more experience than I have will be able to give some advice

[billyhorrible]

It sounds like a bit of a nursing strike. If he had an ear infection, he could associate nursing with discomfort. And even though it's not as uncomfortable now, that still may be his association.

I don't have the best advice when it's your second. I mean my advice is basically constant skin to skin with boob available, but we both know that's not realistic with an older child to take care of also.

I would do the best you can with frequent offering. Frequent small meals might be what he can handle right now and should help your supply from continuing to drop. Skin to skin when you can. Maybe pull back on solids so he fills up on "the good stuff."

[Deleted]

I'm guessing this is not weaning since it's quite early for that. I agree with PP posters that it sounds like it's related to the discomfort of the sicknesses. Also is it possible that he is just becoming a more efficient eater and more excited distracted so not really wanting to spend as much time BF?

[Deleted]

Also, I BF DS until he was 15 months and I remember a few hiccups along the road and some weeks where he was less interested/fussy at the boob. I kind of just hung in there and kept offering and we got through it. It's not unusual to go through what you are going through

[ashbash]

Thanks ladies! I did some skin to skin today and he did seem a little calmer.

He is having loose poos but since he is still eating solids fine I was thinking it wasnt his tummy/ discomfort.

Ive been having the tea for a few days and havent noticed any gassiness but good to know to be on the look out for it

Ill keep on with the skin to skin when possible and try offering the boob more, hopefully its a short lived phase/ nursing strike - Im not ready for my last baby to wean!

[missjenniebean]

Hoping the best for you. I don't breastfeed but our pedi said ear infections sometimes are uncomfortable so they won't want to eat. Here's to hoping for a short term problem and he feels better! Best of luck!

[griffindor24]

No advice just stopping to say that I hope this works out for you! DD stopped nursing at 6 months and it was difficult for me. Kudos for working at it, I definitely know it can be hard!

[jillywilly]

I also never technically was really able to nurse DS, but last week he had a couple days where his intake went waaaaay down, like one day I think he only drank about 18 oz of his formula (normally he's between 25-30 oz). He also wasn't feeling good, and has been back to normal this week, so hopefully it's just related to that as well for you!

[silv3rlining]

I think PPs covered it but wanted to add 16-24oz/day is "normal" intake so I wouldn't be concerned with 15-20. Just offer the beast if he wants/will take it.