8 month old daughter is weening herself

[satkeson]

So my 8 month old daughter seems to be weening herself. She doesn't want to have anything to do with it. She pushes me away with her feet and doesn't sit still even when we are alone in a room. She does eat 3 meals a day and drinks juice and water from a sippy cup if given to her. I have been trying to pump and put the breast milk in the sippy cup but now I can barley get an ounce out. I worry she isn't getting enough and I really don't want to be done breast feeding. Any sugestions what I should do? Or should I just try giving her formula? Please Help!

[PeacefulMom]

Sounds like a nursing strike. Are you trying to nurse before meals? She needs that momma milk until she's a year old so I think you need to keep trying to get her to the breast as much as possible. Maybe cut back on solids?

Read this too.
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/baby/back-to-breast.html

[whitnessforhim]

I agree. I'd cut back on the solids and try to offer the breast before any solids are introduced. I'd also cut out the juice and water and only offer her BM in a sippy cup.

I'd keep up with the pumping to maintain somewhat of a supply while she's on what is hopefully just a strike.

[Nipple_nectar]

Some babies show such enormous interest in solids that they accidentally wean themselves by overdoing it. Since formula or breastmilk needs to be your babys primary source of nutrition for her entire first year, it may be necessary to eliminate solids until her interest in nursing improves.

Try cutting back but if that quickly doesn't solve it, I would eliminate them completely, keeping in mind that feeding solids is the first step in the weaning process.

You can also try a nursing necklace, this will help keep baby occupied while she is nursing, she'll finger the different shapes and study the brilliant colors.

[Brianna]

Sounds like a nursing strike or premature weaning. Here's a web site that might give you more information http://www.kellymom.com/bf/weaning/babyselfwean.html