13 month old refusing EBM/nursing less during day

[griciai]

My 13 month old kiddo has suddenly decided he wants nothing to do with EBM. I work full time and pump, and he's had a bottle before naps and water in a cup with meals. He's now suddenly (for over a week now) refusing bottles and also pushes away EBM in a cup at "lunch" - he actually shakes his head "no" and points instead to my babysitter's bottled water...

When I'm home (evenings and weekends), I nurse him to sleep. We cosleep and he's nursing at night at least 4-5 times. He's very interested in nursing when it has something to do with sleep.

I've noticed he's also not as interested in nursing during the day as he once was (like when I've just come home from work). I think that may be because he's busy and he's usually had something to eat - it's not been possible to wait until I get home to feed him because of the timing of his nap.

Is he trying to wean??? :(

My DD self weaned at 2 yrs 9 mos. This is way, way too early for me! (I know - this is NOT about me).

I'm still pumping/freezing.

Thoughts????

TIA!
:)

[whitnessforhim]

My DD did the same thing. She started refusing bottles around 11mo. She didn't like most sippy cups but we did finally figure out that she wanted to be drinking through a straw like big people do. So we went straight from a bottle to the straw sippies. She's done very well with this and is still taking the EBM at 18mo. out of her straw sippy. I'd try different sippy cups and see if he has a preference. Otherwise, I'd be fine with just water during the day and nursing when I'm home.

I don't think this has anything to do with weaning. More than likely he is just way more interested in a new thing he learned rather than nursing right now. I also think that you will find that the desire to nurse will fluctuate. I remember my DD nursing less around this time but as soon as more teeth were coming or she was hitting another miles stone she went back to nursing frequently.

[griciai]

Thanks - I'll try a straw sippy and see what happens!

[GirlsMama]

He probably doesn't need that much water, breastmilk or even cows milk would provide more nutritional benefit than water. I would encourage him to drink ebm or cows milk (provided he has no allergy) rather than water at this age.