Expert: ruth kraft - 1/27/2010

Question
I have a 7 month old son who has been breastfed since birth. We started introducing solids around 6 months of age. He loves food! So much so that he seems to be rejecting the breast & only wants to feed for a few minutes during the day. Incidentally, I think one of my right breast supply is starting to dry up because he prefers the other and does not tolerate starting on the right side and is full by the time he gets switched.   

Is it appropriate to switch him to being feed for only 4 feedings instead of 5? I feel like it is a big stretch to change to, but he doesn't seem to be eating well during his daytime feedings. He currently eats at 6, 10, 2, 5:30, and 9:30 - I am a working mom who leaves work to breastfeed at the daycare & much keep a strict schedule during the week.  I was considering switching to 7, 12, 5, 9:30 with solid foods inbetween all feedings.

Will doing this ensure that my breastmilk will dry up & thus I will end up switching him to formula? I really am trying to avoid that and want to breastfeed until age 1.  

Answer
Going from 5 to 4 feedings will not dry up your milk. If you are leaving work to nurse him, he will get enough milk :) it is normal for your breasts to feel at this point less full. More deflated and not seemingly have enough milk. If he were nursing 10 times a day, this would still happen.  :)

So, being that he is nursing directly from you, you have no need to worry. ( pumps can sometimes be inefficient but breasts connected to baby are not after this long :)

Follow his lead as he knows what is best for him. If he goes to 4 feedings a day and it makes it easier for you as well, he will get all he needs in that 4 feedings. He will make up for it in another feeding and likely nurse a little stronger or longer :)

If you want to do some things to keep it flowing more in higher stress times you can drink mothers milk tea or take fenugreek capsules. Or take matamucil. Anything getting the gut system moving faster will help produce more milk :)

I hope that helped!  and congrats on nursing at least until 1. at this point you will likely be able to go as long as you want! good job mom!

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