Nursing an Older Infant

[PghMom]

Hi there,

I have some questions regarding nursing an older baby. My daughter is 8.5 months old, and none of my friends/relatives nursed this long. I find there is so much information out there on nursing a newborn, but not as much for older babies.

Recently, my daughter dropped one of her daytime feedings and is now nursing 4 times per day and 1 time at night. I know we are to read baby's cues, but I'm curious if this is enough. She produces 4 - 5 sufficiently wet diapers per day. I have been very cautious about introducing solids slowly and gradually. The thing is, when she does nurse, it is often because I am offerring, not because she has indicated the need and it's not the enthusiastic nursing of days past. She nurses a while, detaches, looks around, comes back for more, repeat, etc. I know she's too young to wean...maybe I am just naive about how long she can go between feedings? I try not to let it get longer than 4 hours during the day, but sometimes she will nap right through this and the interval between feedings ends up being 4.5 hours. I know every baby is different, but is this at all typical for her age and okay? I do not want to be in danger of losing my supply.

Any feedback you can give me is so appreciated! Thanks!

[Nurseliz]

Hi there,
I have been in your situation myself with daughter #2. Around the 9 month mark she became very easily distracted. So I would minimize stimuli while nursing, go to a quite room or lie down with her on the bed/couch. If her sister was anywhere near, she wanted to be playing with her. (funny my 1st daughter did wean during this time because I did not know any better and just assumed she was ready to wean). If you are not ready to start foods then dont. I did not start until #2 was over a year old. #1 started foods at 5 months, and yes it surely did contribute to early weaning.
Breastmilk is the best nutrition you can provide, and in my opinion, the longer you keep it exclusive the more likely you are to make it to a year or beyond.
As far as meeting needs go, yes the wets and dirties sound ok but are on the low side. So continue to watch output. Next, make sure she is staying on target with growth and development. I am not a stickler for every baby needing to be exactly in the 50% on the "average" growth chart. But I am a stickler for kids needing to be growing and meeting all developmental milestones. This can be reviewed with your pedi at the 9 month check up.
But a word of caution. How can I say this without sounding "anti" doctor. Be cautious in verbalizing your insecurity about feedings with your doctor. Most physicians will encourage you to supplement or at least start foods if you voice that you feel the child is not eating enough. I can see their point but more so I believe that protecting the breastfeeding is of utmost importance.
Come back here and post concerns often, we are all here to help and encourage.
In summary, sounds like you are doing everything perfectly. You have made it past the US average and I encourage you to keep up the good work.

Here is an awesome link to more information on extended breastfeeding.
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/bfextended/ebf-refs.html
Or here is a book you can look into renting at the library or purchasing:
Mothering Your Nursing Toddler by Norma Jane Bumgarner

Sorry so long of a reply,
Liz Pevytoe, RN, IBCLC
www.askthelactationconsultant.com

[PghMom]

Thank you for the thoughtful reply! I am afraid we've already started solids - actually started at 5 months. Just think it might be too much part of the routine now to remove them, but I will continue to go slowly. I know what you mean about talking to the pediatrician with caution. My doctor really encouraged solids at 4 months and I knew it was not right for my baby. I really like my doctors, but don't feel they are necessarily breastfeeding experts, though they do try to advocate for it in general. Will continue to watch the wet/dirty outputs.

Thanks so much.