Q I'm still nursing my 21-month-old toddler. He rejects formula milk. He only wants breast milk although he's on semi-solids. He still wants breast milk as a "snack" every now and then. I'm still expressing at work daily to meet his demands. I decided to let him self-wean. I know every individual is different, but I only get 100ml every two days. Is it normal or is my supply low or declining? I'm nursing on demand on weekends apart from semi-solids.

A In some mothers, the amount of breast milk expressed may decline as the baby grows older and suckles less on the breast. Breast-feeding on demand is the best way to maintain your milk supply. You may like to consider pumping on one breast while nursing your baby on the other breast. Tandem pumping in this manner has been found to help the mother collect more milk as the milk release often responds better when a baby is suckling at the breast.

Apart from your breast milk, you can offer other liquids such as fruit juices, soups and water to ensure your toddler gets adequate liquid intake in a day. You can also consider giving him fresh milk. Some breast-fed toddlers prefer this to formula milk. It is wise to continue to breast-fed him until he is ready to self-wean. However, it is also important to ensure that he is taking a variety of semi-solid foods needed for a toddler's healthy growth.

Ms Cynthia Pang, lactation consultant,
KK Women's and Children's Hospital

This article was first published in Mind Your Body, The Straits Times on Mar 5, 2008.