Weaning.

So my daughter is practically 5 months old now and is starting to take herself off breastmilk. She actually turns away from me when I go to feed her. I've started pumping and giving her milk in a bottle during the day so I can monitor how much she is drinking, and figure out "why" she wants to drink because alot of the time with me if she did breastfeed it would only be for like 1 to 2 minutes before she would pull away.
She has naturally led herself onto a really good meal menu, with meals and snacks of solids, and water at all those meals. She is now drinking only about 6 ounces of breastmilk a day. I'm thinking about starting to pump exclusively and see if she will go for that. Has anyone else's babies done this? Any tips? She does still nurse at night, but I don't know how that will go if I only pump during the day/once I stop pumping during the day....would I somehow still be able to keep my milk supply up simply for her night time feeds? I know the body is supposed to somehow "know" how much to provide to the baby so would it still work in that form? Lol help!

[allmymarbles]

She may prefer the bottle because she can drink faster. As for part-time breastfeeding, usually you will produce enough milk.

[30something13]

there is NO way to monitor what a breastfed baby gets at a feed. Babby gets more milk out of the breast herself then you will ever get from a pump!

If you pump you can make enough milk but it is hard work and she will always get more out herself. A pump is not meant to add any mom in knowing what her baby is getting just for supplimental feeding. Also babies have growth spurts and it is exptreemly hard to keep up a supply baby wants. Breastfeeding is supply and demand.

It doe snot matter how muach baby gets form the bbreast. Baby will show you she is getting enough by wet/dirty diapers and growth.

babies will turn fromt he breast from many reasons, a overactive let down reflex, too much foremilk, hormones from your cycles, and from what you eat if abby deos not like it.

the more you suppliment formula the more your supply will go down! That is another reason why she mightnot want to nurse, to breastfeed sucessfully you need to nurse at the breast and not bottle feed and worry about how much baby is getting. Yes if you work you can pump and feed breastmilk but you have to pup when baby eats even if you ar not there to tell your body it is time to make milk and enough milk to keep up the pumping. I have heard form many moms it is harder to pump and amake enough milk by being at home with abby also as apposed to being away from baby at work. Your body has an attachment to the nursing as well as the baby.

[mum2beagain]

At five months old your babies primary nutrition should be from breast milk or formula, solids should just be so baby can get used to texture and flavor and should really be only a couple of spoons a couple of times a day at this stage working towards three meals and snacks at 12 months old, before six months babies digestive systems are unable to gain many nutrients from food which is why most doctors and the world health organisation recommend introducing food at six months.
Only approx 6 oz a day is not really enough at this young age, even with a night feeding or two added in. Breast milk or formula is needed for healthy brain development at this stage and most doctors would advise anywhere between 24 and 32 oz of breast milk or formula a day ( of course this is dependent on baby's weight).
Offer solids after breastfeeding or after cup/bottle of expressed milk or formula. I personally wouldn't give baby water either at this age.

[30something13]

I thought I would add that at this age they are so interested in the world around them is distracts them from eating and doing anything. They have yet to master being able to eat and look around, hear and learn at once yet but once she does she will not pull away as often and eat better. Kinda like walking and chewing gum at the same time:)

You just have to be in aquiet place with little distraction, I have heard of moms sitting a chair in the hallway with nothing but blank walls for this reason. I have never had to do that but what ever works LOL.

Did not hear a reply on this so I am hoping she is eating better for you!

[AndiJ78]

I would pull back on solids and encourage the breast. Solids are not meant to be a source of nutrition at this age, in fact they are incapable of providing enough nutrition for brain growth.

Hold on solids until after baby has nursed a full meal, if still hungry then you may offer some solids. It really is imperative the baby get most of their intake from breastmilk or formula.

A nursing infant does not need water as it interferes with their breastmilk intake. Breastmilk hydrates and offers nutrition that is necessary for proper growth and development.

[Evie1029]

30something13-  Thank you for your last post about babies being too distracted to nurse.  I've been having difficulty nursing my 4 month old for several weeks now but I think you just hit the nail on the head for me!  

[30something13]

glad to of helped and I hope you can master the unlatching before he trys to pull your nipple off;) LOL

what a fun stage!

[mature_enough]

It is good that you are trying to find answers about what is best for your baby. You are a good mother for doing that. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends EXCLUSIVELY breastfeeding for the first 6 months. That means no solids, no formula, no water… nothing accept breast milk. It sounds like your baby is going on “nursing strike” (which is temporary and common) since babies do not naturally wean before the age of 1. Babies typically wean naturally between the ages of 2 and a half to 6 YEARS of age. In fact, the World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding for AT LEAST two years. (not trying to talk you into that unless that is something you and baby desire) but thought you would enjoy the information. (I still bf my 18 month old while pg) but like mentioned above, keep offering the breast, eventually your baby will stop refusing. It is true that breast milk should be your baby’s primary food source.  I sincerely hope this helps.
Best of Luck,
        Mandy