Number of times/day for 1-year old

[@llli*desertmama]

When I tell my friends who have BFd their own LOs that L is still nursing/drinking EBM 8-12 times/day (4-6 of which are throughout the night), they look at me like I'm crazy or they feel very sorry for me. Just today, a friend of mine told me that she stopped BFing her DD on demand at age 1 and did it only at certain times of the day. Her DD was okay with this and just increased the amount of food she was eating.

I didn't think I had a choice about feeding on demand or not. I just feed L if he indicates he wants milk. I am definitely getting weary of the nighttime feedings. I'm a WOHM and find it difficult to have the energy I need to teach my classes when I am perpetually exhausted. (I can't go to bed much earlier than I do because I often have some work I have to take care of - in addition to the daily chores - once L goes to bed.)

I guess I'm writing (asking?) this to see if L is BFing more than the average kid his age and if I can cut out a feeding or two without causing him upset...? I believe in BLW so I don't want to start that process. I've just been made to feel lately like I'm doing something wrong because he nurses/takes bottles so frequently...

[@llli*number4]

Well if my experience can be the measure for average, then yes, he's nursing an average amt

I would say it's not in excess - that is, not something to worry about. You are gone some of his day, so he could be trying to reconnect with you some of those times.

Don't let people put a bug in your ear mama. Were you worried before they said something?

FWIW That was our schedule until I night weaned L at 18 mo. He was ready, as was I and he still nurses when he asks, throughout the day. About an average of 8 times. He's 20 mo old.

[@llli*desertmama]

Well if my experience can be the measure for average, then yes, he's nursing an average amt

I would say it's not in excess - that is, not something to worry about. You are gone some of his day, so he could be trying to reconnect with you some of those times.

Don't let people put a bug in your ear mama. Were you worried before they said something?

FWIW That was our schedule until I night weaned L at 18 mo. He was ready, as was I and he still nurses when he asks, throughout the day. About an average of 8 times. He's 20 mo old.

Thanks sweetie! I didn't think anything was abnormal until I actually listened to other people's "advice" for once (rather than ignoring it!)

[@llli*andrea.wolford]

at one my dd nursed alot!
she didn't realy start eating much food untill she was 2..
have you had his iron checked? If his iron is fine I wouldn't worry

[@llli*number4]

Don't you just love how it takes us weeks, months, to build our confidence and feel were doing right by our child, and in one fell swoop - an ''outsider'' can take it all down in a millisecond.

[@llli*lsksam]

I realized that my 1 year old DS was using the sign for milk any time he was hungry or thirsty and he hadn't quite figured out the difference between wanting breastmilk or wanting something to eat or wanting some water.

If I didn't want to nurse or suspected that DS was really hungry for food, I started offering him food instead and working with him on the signs & words to be able to ask for "snack" or "food" or "drink" or "water". I'd say about half the time DS wanted something else but was just using "milk" because that was his only way to communicate.

At one year my DS was nursing (I think) 6 or 8 times a day.

We nightweaned when DS was 18 mo. And he's been holding steady now at nursing about 4 times a day. He's also gotten much better at communicating his needs, so now when he says "MILK !!" he definitely wants breastmilk and nothing else.

FWIW - I don't consider this "mother led weaning". I'd call this giving my DS options and communication tools.

[@llli*lsksam]

Thanks sweetie! I didn't think anything was abnormal until I actually listened to other people's "advice" for once (rather than ignoring it!)

Keep ignoring them!

[amyped]

Different kids eat/nurse different amounts - all is normal! My 1 year old nurses about 5-6 times per day FWIW.

[@llli*desertmama]

I realized that my 1 year old DS was using the sign for milk any time he was hungry or thirsty and he hadn't quite figured out the difference between wanting breastmilk or wanting something to eat or wanting some water.

If I didn't want to nurse or suspected that DS was really hungry for food, I started offering him food instead and working with him on the signs & words to be able to ask for "snack" or "food" or "drink" or "water". I'd say about half the time DS wanted something else but was just using "milk" because that was his only way to communicate.

At one year my DS was nursing (I think) 6 or 8 times a day.

We nightweaned when DS was 18 mo. And he's been holding steady now at nursing about 4 times a day. He's also gotten much better at communicating his needs, so now when he says "MILK !!" he definitely wants breastmilk and nothing else.

FWIW - I don't consider this "mother led weaning". I'd call this giving my DS options and communication tools.

I really need to teach L some signs. I was so gung-ho about it when he was small and now I just don't know how I will have the time or even remember to do it!

[@llli*lsksam]

We only taught DS maybe 5 or so signs. We focused on key communication needs (milk / drink / eat / more / please).

At least for us DS at that age seemed to pick up the signs pretty quickly when we used them continually and consistently.