Can a 12 month old baby go back to the breast after exclusively bottle feeding?
Hi! Here's my story and question:
My baby just turned 1 (!) and I have been exclusively pumping for the last 9 months. Her breast resistance started around 8 weeks. We think it was a combo of intense overactive letdown, reflux, and cows milk protein allergy. I was told by my pediatrician and lactation consultant to not fight her at the breast, and offer her a bottle instead. On top of that, her CMPA was so severe she really couldn't tolerate any formula, so I pumped.
Honestly, it totally broke my heart. I never thought I would be like this, I didn't plan to breastfeed and wholly believe "fed is best." But because everything about that time and the pain my baby was experiencing was so traumatizing, I think I still carry a lot of grief around it all. Not to mention, I do not feel I was given appropriate support or guidance to continue breastfeeding.
Anyway. After months of being on baby reflex medication, and me avoiding all allergens while exclusively pumping (yikes!), all of those issues are resolved. No more reflux or pain. However, my daughter still screams if I even tried to bring her to my breasts.
I'm wondering what's next for me now. Do I continue pumping? Do I try to offer cow's milk? Or, is there any possibility she might breastfeed again?
Not sure why I've held on to hope all this time. But I guess I'm curious to see what's out there.
Thank you!
Posted Aug 3, 2026, 1:52 PM UTC