DS doesn't want to nurse since starting solids

[Ronnette]

My ds doesn't want to nurse as long since he began solids.  Even when I pump a bottle he is only taking about 3 oz when he used to take 6.  I feed him solids 2x a day, but nurse him BEFORE each feeding.  I exclusively nursing him morning, afternoon, and night.  He gets solids with his late morning and early evening feedings.  I am very concerned about my milk supply as I am certain that it has gone down after almost 2 weeks of this.  I try to pump as much as possible, but it is just becoming overwhelming.  My ds begins to scream and won't take the breast after a few minutes of nursing.  He usually does OK with his early morning and bedtime feeding, but the 3 in between are a mess.  Has anyone experienced this before?  Is there a solution?  He is only 6 1/2 months.  Also, I was feeding solids 3 times a day then cut back to 2 because of this problem.

[lisi's mum]

How much are you feeding him? At his age it should just be a taste, so between 1tsp and 1tbs per meal. I'd try cutting back the amount of solids, and see if this helps.

[Samuel's mum]

How many minutes is he actually nursing for? It might also be that he has had a recent efficiency burst and is actually taking more milk than you think.
Quite a few LOs have longer feeds in the morning and evening and then go into efficient mode in the day when life is exciting.

[Ronnette]

I am currently giving him 3 tbsp of cereal and 3 tbsp of fruit or veggie depending on the time of the meal.  This is what my doctor is recommending.  I was starting to think he might just be more efficient, but he will only take a few ounces out the a bottle if I pump one.

[lisi's mum]

That's alot!

Do you mean this works out as 6 tbs total per meal? Even if it's only 3 tbs per meal, it's still a lot for his age 

[Samuel's mum]

Do you really mean 6 tbsp in one meal? Or just 3 per meal?
I would experiment with reducing quantity of solids first and see if that changes his nursing style.

[Erin (redstarfalling)]

WOW!  My 9 month old doesn't eat that much solids in a whole day!    I'd agree with decreasing it a bit further, despite what your doc seems to think....at this age, solids are more for practice anyway...

[kerry,(kaceys mum)]

i wont post what my dd eats a day,, ( almost as much as me ) but she still takes 5full bf a day also, ges shes just hungry

[Ronnette]

Today he ate a little better.  He really loves the solids.  Maybe I'll cut it down to 4 tbsp/meal.  He has been gaining good weight.  The lac. consultant at the docs office said that he is probably just going through a phase and in a week he may want to nurse all the time and not be interesting in solids.  They also tell me to start 3 meals again in about 6 weeks (at 8 months).

[Samuel's mum]

I think it's a good idea to go to 4 tbsp a meal and see what happens.
3 meals again at 8 months sounds right.

[Erin (redstarfalling)]

Yes - but they can be small meals too!