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Today I’m sharing about my transition to breastfeeding twice a day with my first baby. I’m sharing an update on what it has been like going through this dropping down to nursing twice a day with all four of my babies at the end of the post. I hope this is helpful for anyone else that was wondering the question: can you breastfeed only two times a day?
Breastfeeding twice a day
Today we’re talking food, but not so much about recipes. Hunter food. The boob food.
Between 9 and 10 months we made a big switch in our daily nursing routine.
At 9 months he was nursing 4-5 times a day.
Then at 10 months we dropped down to 2-3.
Now at almost 11 months, we are just at twice a day.
Can you breastfeed only two times a day?
When I originally made the switch to less than 4 nursing sessions, I had lots of questions. So I went to the internet searching… and I came up disappointed.
I couldn’t find that much info on when or how to do it.
So I went with my mommy instinct and dove in. While I am no expert in nursing or babies, I thought it would be helpful to answer the questions that I had, in hopes I can help another mom out there.
This is what worked for Hunter and I. Remember, every baby is different!
I should also note that Hunter does not feed on demand.
While we do follow the baby-led weaning approach for his food, I did not follow the ‘let him nurse whenever’ approach. We have a flexible routine, which I’ll outline, but it’s still a routine nonetheless.
Q & A: dropping down to nursing twice a day
When does Hunter nurse?
In the morning before breakfast.
If he wakes before 7 am, I’ll have him play for a bit until 7 am, then we nurse and have breakfast.
If he wakes after 7 am I nurse him right when he wakes.
He nurses again at 7 pm before getting ready for bed.
When did you know that Hunter was ready to drop a feeding?
A few months ago I remember reading about some other babies that were nursed just twice a day, that was the same age as Hunter.
I thought to myself, I don’t think Hunter will ever get there!
Well, at the time he wasn’t ready. He was eating solids well, but still, I think his solids vs. nursing was split 50/50.
Then around 10 months (or a little before), I decided one day to just try nursing 3 times – morning, mid-day, and before bed.
On that day he instantly made a switch to eating more solids. He didn’t fuss about nursing less, it just seemed natural.
I was already at the point where he was eating solids first, and then nursing.
How old was he when he dropped a feeding? How many nursing sessions for 9 month old?
Between 9-10 months he dropped down from 4-5 times a day, to 2-3 times a day.
Now at 10 1/2 months, he only nurses twice a day.
How did we drop the feedings?
Cutting out the midday feeding was a more gradual thing.
He would eat lunch between 11-12 pm, then I would nurse him about an hour later.
He didn’t always seem to need it, but I did it anyway.
Then one day we were busy and I just forgot. Thankfully he didn’t seem to mind.
For a couple of weeks he would want it (he’d get fussy), so I’d nurse him.
Then last week I just decided not to anymore and it’s been fine.
He eats soooooo much food. I think nursing has become more of a comfort than anything for him.
Do I pump now that he is nursing less?
When we first went down to 3 times a day, I was still pumping.
I wanted to make sure my milk supply stayed up in case he really wasn’t ready to nurse less.
Then on the days I only nursed him in the morning and night, I pumped midday.
Now I don’t pump midday. I have seen a huge decrease in my milk supply, but I figured that will happen as he needs it less and less.
Nursing and solids, how does it work together?
When Hunter first started eating solids, I would always nurse first, then offer solids.
Then as time went by I picked one meal a day to offer solids first, and then nurse.
Then as we continued on over the weeks I’d offer solids first at more and more meals, to where he was always eating solids first, and then nursing.
I tried to make sure solids and nursing were within an hour of each other so that it was a big meal, instead of two separate snacks.
When will I stop nursing?
My goal was always to nurse for 1 year, and I know we’ll make that goal. After that, I”m not sure.
This is probably a selfish reason, but I want to get pregnant again, and breastfeeding has definitely been working as birth control for us. I’ll see where we’re at when he turns a year.
An update on dropping down to nursing twice a day
My mama instinct was right with this strategy I outline. It worked really well with all of my babies (after Hunter we had 3 girlies).
Out of all of my kids, Hunter was the least attached to nursing. I breastfed him only a little bit past 1 years, and the girls between 14-16 months.
Do you have more questions about breastfeeding twice a day?
Please ask them in the comments! I love helping mamas out and sharing any insights I might have. Of course, every baby is different and every situation needs it’s own plan.
I hope this is helpful to you nursing mamas out there. Please let me know if you have any questions I didn’t answer!
Have a great day!
XO
Heather
Hi heather! I know this is SO old now, but I’m in a similar situation as you were where nursing is our birth control and I’m hoping to get my period back! I too am hoping to get pregnant again. I know everyone is so different, but after you stopped nursing your baby, how soon after did your cycle start back? Thanks so much! -Nikki
Hi Nikki! You are so right, everyone is different but I will share how it went for me! For my first 3 babies I got my cycle back about 1 month after stopping nursing (between 13-15 months). With my 4th I got it back around 11 months while still nursing. Hope that’s helpful! How old is your little one?
Hey. I’m thinking about dropping my son down to one nursing session a day. He is 18 months and right now we nurse 2-4 x depending on how much he’s asking for it. I would like to just do one feed in evening ideally. If you ever got down to one feed did your milk supply maintain itself for one feed a day??
Thanks,
Keely Klassen
Hey Keely! For myself when I dropped to one a day my supply definitely decreased because of less demand. But every mama is different!
Hello!
I know this is old, but I’m currently in the process of starting to wean my 10.5 month old son! He’s currently getting 4 feeds per day. sometimes all 4 are nursing, sometimes 3 are nursing and one is a bottle. On some random days I feel like my supply is low and I’ll supplement with some formula. That just started about 3 weeks ago and it was really hard on my after almost 10 months of strictly breast milk. Anyway, I would love to drop down to 2 or 3 nursing sessions per day and have that be enough, but I always worry he isn’t getting enough fluids! He’s a great eater and clearly prefers solids to milk at this point. If I didn’t make it sit down and nurse, I’m not sure he’s care much. EXCEPT, it seems he gets thirsty and that’s really the only reason he wants to nurse/have a bottle at all. We offer water at all of his meals, but he doesn’t always drink some. I’d say he’s only getting 2-3 ounces of water/day. Some days a little more, but never even one whole sippy cup per day. Do you have any tips for this? When you dropped to 2 feedings per day, how much water was your son having? I’ve tried many different types of cups, but he just doesn’t seem that interested most of the time.
Thanks!
Hey Katie! This is def a question for your son’s doctor, but ask about how many wet diapers he should have. If he’s hitting it that can take worry away!
My son always loved water so we never had to worry about that much, but if he hadn’t liked it, here’s what I would try. I’d focus on water rich foods (sounds like your son loves solids) – like watermelon, berries, cucumber (try shredded without the skin for little ones without molars) and cut grapes. They provide hydration at the same time as food! Smoothies are another option. It can be more fun than water – load it with water rich fruits + water and it’s another way to get hydration in. I hope that’s helpful!
My baby is 6 months old. She’s been eating solids since 4 months. She still nurses about 8 times a day ( including night feeding)
She eats her solids 3 times a day. When should I start dropping a nursing and start adding snacks?
I love this advice I first received on weaning – drop the session that is least convenient for you. For me, it was always the afternoon time/while I’m making dinner. See what works in your life and start there! Hope that’s helpful Jennifer 🙂
Hi Heather! This is SUCH an old post I know, but it was still really helpful for me. I have a quick question…
So background, I have a 9-month-old son. We’ve reduced feedings to 3x a day (morning, evening, and one night feed) per his pediatrician’s permission. He is GREAT at drinking water and has frequent wet/dirty diapers. Weight gain is steady and he only asks to breastfeed during the day MAYBE once every week and a half.
So my question is, should I be worried about his caloric intake? Should I count the calories he eats? I know he’s on the young side to be only eating 3x a day, but the change was so easy it didn’t seem to even make a bump on the radar.
Hi Cheyenne – it sounds like he is doing great! Unless your pediatrician says differently sounds like you guys are on a great path. Wet and dirty diapers are always a good sign that babies are getting a good intake. Unless your pediatrician says to I don’t think counting calories is a necessary thing.
Thank you for posting this! I haven’t found much that I can relate to in the goal of weaning by 1 year old and some posts say you have to nurse a certain amount of times per day. I am relieved to know that my little girl is following a similar path to your son. She eats a lot too!
So glad it was helpful Morgan!
My son is 17 months and we don’t consume dairy so I have always made it a priority to make sure breastfeeding worked for us, which I have loved and still do. However, he the last few weeks he has gone from 4-5 feedings to just 2-3. I know he is past that year mark, but everyone is so pro milk. You said you didn’t give any other milk when you dropped feedings, correct? There isn’t much information about breastfeeding a baby past 1 and just wanted some other moms thoughts. Thanks so much!
That’s right Stephanie, we never went with offering milk to any of our kiddos after a year. We get dairy products in other ways (yogurt, kefir, cheese, and the occasion milk but not consistent), but not daily milk. Personal choice since I’d prefer my kiddos to fill up on other real foods!
I came across this article and you are so right, it’s SO helpful. I have an 11 month and am considering weaning down to two feedings from 4. He’s been ebf and I’m ready to get some of my body and life back after a year. I’m going to follow your lead and start with one mean where I feed solids first then nurse wishing the hour, then eventually drop one then two nursing sessions gradually. I’ll keep the night and morning for emotional reasons but my question is, will my supply drop if I forget a night feeing here and there? For an occasional night out with hubs? This is pretty exciting!
That’s an exciting time for you and the hubs for sure! Personally for my supply if I have a random miss of a feeding it doesn’t affect it. If it was consistent and often then it would. Every person is different though! Let me know how it goes mama!
Thank you!
Mine was sleeping through the nigth but now is waking up twice. :/
I reduced day feedings, but lately baby wants to nurse more than before. I am feeling a little discouraged as I am hoping to wean at 1 yo, (we’d love another baby). But it seems like this little one is not ready yet. I am reducing the nursing time (between 2-5 min) and then rock her. It seems to work some nights and others I just end nursing more in order to sleep. 🙂 Any suggestions? 🙂
Oh that’s hard! My third baby was a nighttime waker for a loooong time. With nighttime wakes and weaning I never forced it. It’s great that (usually) nursing is a quick thing that gets her to go back to sleep at night. I hope knowing that EVENTUALLY they do sleep through the night helps! That was my saving grace with her – eventually she did and for us, it was months after we weaned. Once we weaned I would just snuggle her instead of nursing her at nighttime wake ups. But other babies don’t need to wean to sleep through the night. Listen to your little ones cues and you’ll know what’s best for your baby. You got this mama!
Hello! Thanks for the post. 🙂
What about nigth weaning? When you cut down the feedings, was he still waking up at nigth? I’d love to know your experience in that matter. Thank you!!
Hi Patty! Night weaning happened naturally for us with Hunter. He was already sleeping through the night at the point of dropping down to nursing twice a day. With my girls I would still nurse them when they’d wake at night even though the day time nursing was reduced. Is your little one still waking at night to nurse (I’ve been there and still am with baby #4!)