Eight month old suddenly will only nurse when mostly asleep.?

Question

My little guy is 8 1/2 months. We have been doing very well with breastfeeding. Suddenly, he is so interested in life that he won't nurse unless he is mostly asleep. I am becoming very engorged and uncomfortable and also tired becasue he isn't nursing well during the day and then wants to make up for it during the night. Does anyone have any practical tips that may be helpful? Please don't suggest weaning or switching over to formula because I would not consider doing so until sometime after his first birthday.

Update:

Thanks for the suggestions. I have limited success with and really hate pumping. My baby also almost always refuses breastmilk in a bottle or cup. He gets a very puzzled face and doesn't drink it. He does have solids when the rest of the family is eating. He likes to be a big boy and eat with us.

Cindy C · Accepted Answer

Try pumping and putting it in a sip cup. This will get him the breast milk, get you less engorged, and get him used to a cup if he isn't already.

It sounds like he is weaning himself. 
Try giving him a snack of food before bed, this will keep him fuller longer. Then he will want more during the day since he didn't get it at night. 
He's probably also just to active to even think about it.

@ Morgan: You switch to whole milk at 1yr not formula. Toddler formula is pointless unless your child has a major problem being underweight.

EDIT: Continue offering the cup even if it's just water. 
As for pumping and such just don't mess with it then. It seems like he is weaning himself and that's just something that happens sometimes. If you get engorged then offer your breast. If he doesn't take it then just leave him be.
To get rid of the engorgement just take a nice warm bath so it flows. You can also place cold fresh cabbage leaves in your bra to help with pain, but it will also help dry you out. 
The engorgement will go away as you don't breastfeed as much. It is supply and demand. Since there is now less demand you will begin to get less supply.

Anonymous · Answer

That is totally normal!! Once babies start to be aware of their surroundings they will most likely try to explore and do new things. In other words they want to do more exciting stuff first. If he's going down for naps during the day feed him right before he goes to bed so it can be easier. Also feed him right after he wakes up so he doesn't get too caught up in everything first. 

It's fine to switch over to formula after his first birthday but i think your baby might be getting tired of breast feeding. I would just try formula and see if he likes it. If he does, he will be easier to feed during the day. But if he doesn't, keep him on a schedule with the breastfeeding. 

And this could also just be a stage. But I wouldn't worry about him too much. Just keep him on a schedule with his feedings and his naps. 

Good luck and don't worry about it!

Arianna · Answer

Try giving him some breast milk in a bottle so he can do it himself and feel like a "big boy" and assert his new found independence.

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Eight month old suddenly will only nurse when mostly asleep.?

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