Expert: ruth kraft - 7/15/2009

Question
For the past week my 8month old has been breastfeeding for
between 5-10 minutes on each breast.  This is very unusual
for her.  She doesn't have a cold and has plenty wet and
dirty nappies but this could be because I am giving her
water with her meals.  I'm worried she#s not getting enough
milk as she used to 10-15 mins each side previously and I've
read that babies still need to drink 1 pint of milk a day
whilst on solids.  She doesn't cry at the breast, she just
pulls off, turns away, comes back on, pulls off and does
this a couple of times then plays.  I really don't want to
give her formula milk

Answer
I would stop giving her water at meals. water is not really something she needs right now as breastmilk is 80 percent water. Its also very normal at her age to be more interested in playing, just nurse her when she wants and if she plays too much, put her down, and nurse her again later when shes a little hungrier. you can also nurse her ina  quiet dark room to take away distraction.  if taking away the water doesnt seem to matter, then you can bring it back to her with no issue. if shes having the wet diapers , then you don't need to worry :) shes just growing up :)

hope that helped
www.honoringwomen.com