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Rejecting the boob???

Kat - posted on 05/21/2009 ( 4 moms have responded )

727

I'm not sure if my daughter is rejecting the boob or going through something. Last week she refused her lunch time breast feed. I was out at the time & couldn't really spend a long time persisting. I tried for about 10 minutes & then just went straight onto her solids part of lunch so she got something at least. She missed a breast feed the next day but mostly due to sleeping for so long, not because she refused it. (Her two bottom teeth cut through on May 5th.) Today she has been biting me quite badly when feeding & I have been letting her know firmly that that is not allowed & when she has fed nicely I have been giving her praise so hopefully she will learn the difference between good & bad feeding. At her dinner feed tonight she wouldn't go on the boob. She was very upset & crying tears. I thought she was tired & put her down for a nap, which she fell straight asleep for 40 minutes. When she got up we tried to feed again. I put her on the otherside & she fed for a little bit only. She did use teeth & I told her no. She fed well & I praised her. Then after only a short feed she pulled off & wouldn't go back on. So I patted her back for a burp & swapped sides, which she wouldn't go on at all. After trying for a while I decided to give her her solids dinner.
Is this a normal 7 1/2 month thing? Is she rejecting the breast? I thought maybe it's more teeth coming, but she did not refuse to feed when the 1st two teeth came. She has never refused to feed before as she always has been a wonderful feeder.
We bought a tin of formula just in case, but I hope to not have to open it just yet.
Any ideas or similar experiences??

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Siobhan - posted on 05/23/2009

Before you give up, take a look on the leleche league website and try some of the ideas they have, or phone the one in your local area. I know 3 women who had this problem between 7 and 9 months and all of them were able to get help to fix it without using formula. Although..don't stress...if he ends up with formula, its not the end of the world and you gave him the best start possible...way to go mommy!

Ashlee - posted on 05/22/2009

324

my son has recently started on formula and is getting more and more everyday. I was feeling a bit like a failure at first (my sister breastfed both of her kids until 2 and almost 2) but realized that not getting anything was worse-the ped said this was ok and normal he just wants more than what I have we still nurse 1st thing in the morning and if he has an afternoon nap and I pump 8oz for his bedtime bottle but that's all I have0-still trying to get a grip on it at times but like I said formula is better than nothing. Good luck

Jamie - posted on 05/21/2009

I went though that when mine was 5 months. It really upset me, b/c wanted to breastfeed as long as possible. But you can only do the best you can. My doctor said this was normal and if they decide to be done with breast feeding, then thats ok. If your milk supply should go down, which mine really did! Formula is more then ok at this age. The first 3 months are the most crucial. You have done a great job, such a stessful task. I totally understand how frustrating it can be. It's best to move on know you're doing great!!