8 Month Old Nursing Son--are Boys That Different from Girls?

Dear E.,
I only have a 18 month old son which I nursed until he was almost 14 months, so I can't say if boys are different than girls. I do think every kid is different and your son just might be on the go more.
I only nursed my son probably 4 times a day at that age. Morning, before naps and night. He ate 3 meals a day too but if he wasn't nursing as much I lighten up on his food. Kids really do know how many calories they need (not like us adults) So if he is getting too much food he won't nurse as much. I would try offering less food, and at that age I didn't really give my son any juice or water really. So if your are offering other liquids you can cut back on that too.
All in all though, go with the flow. I don't think he is totally weaning. My son slowly breastfed less and less as he got older until it was just the night time feed( around 1 year old) which was hard to break he did not want to stop the night feed, I needed to.
My son is very healthy, rarely gets sick, never had a ear infection, is meeting all milestone if not ahead, top of the growth charts. So to me that says he has gotten plenty of nutrition to thrive.
As for the distractions, I would put a his blankey over his head so he couldn't see things and nurse him in his room. You could nurse your son in his room with your daughter there and maybe explain to her you need some quiet time for him to nurse. She could look at books, etc. My son loves to look at books, but I don't know how your daughter is. I think your son will nurse if he is hungry.
Hope that helps,
M.

Hi there! I have two boys aged 4 and 7 months!!! The distraction thing is a big problem in my house, too, although because my oldest is 4 I can sneak away to nurse the baby in his room without worrying about the other one! The baby has slowed down his nursing dramatically, too. He really only nurses when he gets up in the morning and before naps and bed. That's it! He, too, is eating solids so I'm not concerned about the nutrition he may not be getting with the decreased nursing. I think it's OK. Is your boy nursing less than this? Maybe try pumping your milk and giving him a bottle or sippy cup to work on if he's nursing that infrequently. He could be weaning himself, too. I know this does happen (it didn't happen with my first - he nursed until he was two!) At this age, though, if they nurse only 3 or 4 times a day, that is totally and completely normal (I'm looking at my pediatrician's guidelines for 7 to 12 month olds right now). 24 ounces
of milk is all they need, it says. Good luck! I'm interested in knowing how you fare! And congrats on your new baby. Isn't it so fun!!

Hi, I don't think you have anything to worry about. Be grateful that he's a curious little guy who will probably go far in life! As mentioned, 24 oz would be equal to 3 full bottles of formula, so he's likely getting full bottles worth upon waking and going to sleep. Another late morning nursing (depending on when the first feeding is, maybe 4 hours later) and before afternoon nap if not too soon after lunch should be just fine.

I would actually start to introduce bottles of water or no spill sippy cups with lunch and dinner. The sooner he is comfortable with the alternative, the easier it will be if you can't be with him for a feeding or two.

I never noticed any difference between my son and daughters.

It may be possible that he is weaning himself. When my daughter was about 7months old and had been eating solids for a while, she just stopped nursing. I wanted to nurse till she was one, but she had different plans!