Breastfeeding the Older Baby: What to Expect at 9-12 Months
Originally published on May 1, 2016; Revised Feb 22, 2025
Author: Robin Kaplan, M.Ed, IBCLC, FNC
Welcome back to our blog series, Breastfeeding the Older Baby – What to Expect.
Today, let's talk about what to expect when chest/breastfeeding your older baby between 9 and 12 months. As your little one becomes more mobile and curious about the world, nursing can start to look a bit different—sometimes acrobatic, sometimes distracted, but still an important source of nourishment and comfort. Parents often wonder how breastmilk fits into their baby’s expanding diet and whether changes in feeding patterns are normal. Below, we’ll explore what to expect during this stage, what’s typical, and when you might want to reach out for support.
ABOUT SDBFC
The San Diego Breastfeeding Center was established in 2009 by Robin Kaplan, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, Functional Nutritionist, and parent. Her vision was to create a judgment-free, inclusive support system for families navigating infant feeding challenges. SDBFC offers a wide range of one-on-one breastfeeding, infant feeding, and nutrition consultations - as well as classes, support groups, online articles, and social media - making it your one-stop-shop for all things infant feeding!
What does chest/breastfeeding look like in months 9-12? How often should my baby be eating and how long should feedings take?
Breastmilk (and/or formula) continues to be your baby’s primary source of nutrition until his/her first birthday. Some babies will continue to space out their nursing sessions as they approach this milestone birthday, nursing 4-5 times during the day, and once or more during the night. As your little one begins to explore the tastes and textures of more solid foods and consume more of them at each sitting, you may notice your little one beginning to nurse less frequently in response to their increased intake of solid foods. As long as your baby is continuing to have five or more wet diapers each day, gains an average of 2-3oz per week, and seems satisfied and content after nursing sessions, then your little one is most likely getting enough nutrition while chest/breastfeeding.
When will my baby begin to drop his/her nighttime feeding sessions and sleep through the night?
Such a great question, and one that’s frequently on parents’ minds! When will my baby sleep longer at night? The short answer is - every baby is different. Babies wake throughout the night for varying reasons, including hunger, a need for comfort, a disruption in their sleep cycle, a need for a diaper change, sickness, teething, etc. Chest/breastfeeding often meets more than one of baby’s needs, so it’s easy to fall into the routine of nursing your little one back to sleep. There is absolutely nothing wrong with responding to your little one’s needs by nursing them! If you are happy with your nighttime routine, no need to make significant changes in order to cope with outside pressure and recommendations to “train” your baby to sleep longer at night. That being said, if you find yourself becoming frustrated with nighttime wakings and overtired during the day due to lack of sleep at night, then it might be time to take a closer look at your nighttime routine to make a plan for improving your quality of sleep.
I’ve heard people mention teaching chest/breastfeeding manners to older babies. How does that work?
It’s never too early to start teaching your little one age-appropriate manners. Just as we prompt our toddlers for “the magic word” when they ask for something, older babies can learn to be polite when chest/breastfeeding. Teaching your little one a few basic signs from American Sign Language can be very beneficial in setting the stage for chest/breastfeeding manners. The signs for milk, more, and please are fairly basic and many babies pick up on them quickly. Once your little one has mastered the sign for milk, you can calmly remind them to sign milk when hungry instead of pulling your shirt down or crying out in frustration. Positive reinforcement will go a long way to reinforce the idea that you would like baby to sign milk when hungry rather than clawing at your chest. Baby will also be calmer and happier, seeing you sign milk, showing them you hear and understand their need and are going to chest/breastfeed them soon.
My baby has been refusing to nurse, could he/she be self-weaning?
If your baby has been refusing to chest/breastfeed for several nursing sessions or days in a row, then it’s more likely that you and your little one are experiencing a nursing strike, rather than self-weaning. It is very uncommon for a baby to self-wean before their first birthday. As we have said before, babies need milk to be their primary source of nutrition right up until their first birthday. Also, self-weaning is usually a gradual process, where as a nursing strike is characterized by a sudden and complete disinterest and refusal to chest/breastfeed. Nursing strikes are common in older babies and can be in response to teething, distraction, illness, bottle-preference, and other developmental milestones. Tips for surviving a nursing strike and encouraging baby to nurse again are:
Always offer breastmilk before any solids during baby’s first year of life. If baby won’t nurse, you can offer baby expressed milk in a sippy cup, to ensure baby’s nutritional needs are being met.
Limit or eliminate bottles and pacifiers. Only use bottles when baby is separated from you and then put baby back to chest/breast when baby is with you.
If distractibility seems to be playing a role in baby’s refusal to nurse, try wearing a nursing necklace to keep baby’s attention focused on nursing. You can also try giving baby a small toy to hold during feeding sessions, nursing in a quiet room, and nursing baby in a baby carrier.
If you feel your milk supply has decreased, and this has led to the nursing strike, then it is a good idea to make an appointment with a Lactation Consultant to come up with a chest/breastfeeding plan to help you increase your supply and meet baby’s needs moving forward.
If you’re wondering how breastfeeding will change as your baby becomes more independent, you’re in good company!
Every baby transitions through this stage a little differently, and it’s completely normal to have questions about nursing frequency, distracted feedings, or how breastmilk fits into your little one’s growing diet. Whether you need reassurance, tips for managing changes, or support in meeting your breastfeeding goals, we’re here to guide you every step of the way. Schedule a one-on-one appointment (consider a virtual appointment, if you don’t live in San Diego!) with one of our lactation consultants for personalized care and expert advice tailored to your baby’s unique needs.
SDBFC is committed to providing high-quality lactation and functional nutrition consultations to parents in San Diego and beyond. Explore our postpartum, prenatal, and functional nutrition consultations, take a breastfeeding class or attend a workshop.
About the Author
Robin Kaplan has been an IBCLC since 2009, the same year that she opened up the San Diego Breastfeeding Center. Robin was the founding host of the Boob Group podcast and published her first book, Latch: a Handbook for Breastfeeding with Confidence at Every Stage in 2018. Melding her passions for supporting lactating parents and holistic health, Robin finished her Functional Nutrition Certification in 2023. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with her two teenage boys, hiking, traveling, weaving, cooking, and searching for the best chai latte.
