Breastfeeding Toddlers

[EssJayPea]

Hello. Just wondering how thw mummies of toddlers who are still bfing are finding things? Ie how often, any problems?

I'm still bfing my 14 month old and she can sleep through finally from about 13 months. OH went through when she was waking to offer water and we managed to drop the night feeds so now it's bf at bedtime 7/8 and a wake of about 5/6 for a feed then back down until about 8.

Challenges I'm finding are she pulls at my top now for boobs whenever I'm with her but is fine when I'm working for granny/nana/dad. She also refuses actual food from me and just wants bfed which is frustrating as she will fill up on that and not get the calories I think she might need?

Anyway, would love to hear from anyone else who's still going strong

Thanks!

 

[cosmicgirl]

Hi
My little man is almost 14 months and still BF.
I want to stop, have wanted to stop for months - he won't.
I've tried denying him boob but he screams relentlessly.
He also won't take food from me, just pulls at my clothes.
I dread night time, I'm so so tired but he still nibbles at me frequently throughout the night.
He point blank refuses anything in a bottle, even ebm, always has.
I don't feel like I get to enjoy him as much as oh does, I get the screaming, scratchy baby that pulls at my clothes.
He pinches my skin throughout every feed, like gets my skin between his nails, I'm covered in pinch marks. He pulls my hair at night, he's pulled clumps out so far.
I really really hope he stops the bf soon, I haven't the strength to go cold turkey against his will

 

[clairem1980]

I fed my first Lo until about 14 months but for the last few months it was just a bedtime feed. Was ready to stop then so went cold turkey one Friday night and daddy did bedtime with a strawberry milkshake and she never had my milk again. She never really asked for it though, it was just our routine.
Good luck getting them fully weaned x cosmic you must be exhausted??! X

 

[Alexandra84]

I'm still feeding our 2yr old. It's not difficult and she's not feeding at night. It's a really nice time for us to reconnect and cuddle as it's virtually the only time she'll stay still for any length of time

 

[cosmicgirl]

I fed my first Lo until about 14 months but for the last few months it was just a bedtime feed. Was ready to stop then so went cold turkey one Friday night and daddy did bedtime with a strawberry milkshake and she never had my milk again. She never really asked for it though, it was just our routine.
Good luck getting them fully weaned x cosmic you must be exhausted??! X

I am absolutely shattered! I yawn at work constantly!

 

[Nat26]

I'm still breastfeeding my 2 year old, seem to be in the minority - like Alexandra I find its a nice time for cuddles. I would still be breastfeeding anyway though as I have a 7 month old too. I plan to let them both self wean - I don't have the pulling my top problem, that would be annoying!

 

[Alexandra84]

I'm still breastfeeding my 2 year old, seem to be in the minority - like Alexandra I find its a nice time for cuddles. I would still be breastfeeding anyway though as I have a 7 month old too. I plan to let them both self wean - I don't have the pulling my top problem, that would be annoying!

I definitely had to nip the pulling top problem in the bud. My approach was that breastfeeding long term was only going to work if we're both comfortable and BOTH enjoyed it and that includes a minimum level of 'politeness'. As in no night-feeds once I was pregnant, no pulling down of clothes, twitching, biting or twiddling of nipples and coming off promptly if I asked. That was my minimum comfort level and I persevered with discouraging any behaviour that made me feel uncomfortable. So we're at the stage where she understands what I need her to do/not to do and I just don't see any reason to stop at this point (plus I have another arriving soon anyway so I can't see the point of trying to wean now )

 

[Nat26]

I'm still breastfeeding my 2 year old, seem to be in the minority - like Alexandra I find its a nice time for cuddles. I would still be breastfeeding anyway though as I have a 7 month old too. I plan to let them both self wean - I don't have the pulling my top problem, that would be annoying!

I definitely had to nip the pulling top problem in the bud. My approach was that breastfeeding long term was only going to work if we're both comfortable and BOTH enjoyed it and that includes a minimum level of 'politeness'. As in no night-feeds once I was pregnant, no pulling down of clothes, twitching, biting or twiddling of nipples and coming off promptly if I asked. That was my minimum comfort level and I persevered with discouraging any behaviour that made me feel uncomfortable. So we're at the stage where she understands what I need her to do/not to do and I just don't see any reason to stop at this point (plus I have another arriving soon anyway so I can't see the point of trying to wean now )

So you are going to tandem nurse too? I don't know anyone that has gone on to do this other than myself I love it although at 1st my toddler wanted to feed like a newborn!

 

[Alexandra84]

Yes, I am planning on nursing them both. I'm taking the full 52 weeks maternity leave so it's not like I'll be rushed off my feet working at the time etc. It's not too uncommon around Milton Keynes as there seems to be a large AP community so I know of at least a couple of mums that have done tandem nursing (and I have been warned about the frequent nursing at first ). I'm going to insist on keeping the night weaning for my older one though as I just can't see myself feeding one and then the other and still getting any sleep at all lol.

 

[EssJayPea]

How and when are you intending on stopping bfing? I would like to stop soonish but Eva is having none of it. Doesn't like cows milk to drink and isn't the best eater so my milk is extra nourishment she otherwise wouldn't be getting? Xxx

 

[EssJayPea]

Hi
My little man is almost 14 months and still BF.
I want to stop, have wanted to stop for months - he won't.
I've tried denying him boob but he screams relentlessly.
He also won't take food from me, just pulls at my clothes.
I dread night time, I'm so so tired but he still nibbles at me frequently throughout the night.
He point blank refuses anything in a bottle, even ebm, always has.
I don't feel like I get to enjoy him as much as oh does, I get the screaming, scratchy baby that pulls at my clothes.
He pinches my skin throughout every feed, like gets my skin between his nails, I'm covered in pinch marks. He pulls my hair at night, he's pulled clumps out so far.
I really really hope he stops the bf soon, I haven't the strength to go cold turkey against his will

You poor thing, Cos. I know how tough you've had it. Are you still co sleeping? I don't imagine you have the headspace to do the cold turkey thing. Is there a bfing support nurse you could speak to? I've been trying to distract Eva when she moans for a feed through the day as I'm trying to keep it to one at night and one in the morning. Her dad said I should be reducing it so probably best. I sometimes just love the closeness but it makes it hard for anyone else to settle her xxxxx

 

[cosmicgirl]

Yes, we are still co sleeping, I hate it but again he loves it. I don't feel like it would be fair to just start putting him in a cot. I'd like to do it gently and slowly but I don't know how to start.
The same with BF. I spoke to a HV who said "just dry up your milk with cabbage leaves and deny him bf". I don't feel I can do that to him. He gets so much comfort from it and he's away from me all day during the week.
He's getting better with his sleep, not waking as often but my oh has slept in a different bed since baby was born. Its very hard. I want him to self wean but he goes mad if I can't get boob to him immediately when he wants it ie in the car!
He loves bf so much, he smiles, closes his eyes, strokes his ears, it's lovely really and I can't take that away from him at the moment

 

[Mrs Wibbily]

Yes, we are still co sleeping, I hate it but again he loves it. I don't feel like it would be fair to just start putting him in a cot. I'd like to do it gently and slowly but I don't know how to start.
The same with BF. I spoke to a HV who said "just dry up your milk with cabbage leaves and deny him bf". I don't feel I can do that to him. He gets so much comfort from it and he's away from me all day during the week.
He's getting better with his sleep, not waking as often but my oh has slept in a different bed since baby was born. Its very hard. I want him to self wean but he goes mad if I can't get boob to him immediately when he wants it ie in the car!
He loves bf so much, he smiles, closes his eyes, strokes his ears, it's lovely really and I can't take that away from him at the moment

My little dude is still the same. In fact I'm certain he's getting worse at night. Constantly waking to latch on, screaming if I say no. My nipples have actually started hurting!! He's pulling at my top all the time. It's starting to be a bit hard to be honest. He's constantly following me screaming for more! Although the cute thing is is that he gets so much comfort. He giggles just before he latches on which is so cute. i feel your pain ladies! Xx

 

[cosmicgirl]

My little man I defending more and more at night.
He's poorly with a cough and cold at the mo so it's probably that but I'm so ready for him to stop. I feel like I'll still be saying exactly this in a year!

 

[Mrs Wibbily]

My little man I defending more and more at night.
He's poorly with a cough and cold at the mo so it's probably that but I'm so ready for him to stop. I feel like I'll still be saying exactly this in a year!

You do know that if we don't start the stopping, these boys never will!!?!!

x

 

[cosmicgirl]

Oh I know, it's so hard though isn't it. I've no idea how I'm going to stop him, all my other boys stopped by themselves at around 12 months!

 

[Mrs Wibbily]

I know. My big boy stopped at 13 months. Finn just loves it so much though I can't force the break from it! Ah well we'll plod on as it is. They'll stop when they stop I guess. x

 

[cosmicgirl]

That scares me because I know that's true!

 

[Nat26]

I can't imagine refusing to bf my son, its terrible the health visitors think that is the answer! I do think bf should be happy thing for both mum and toddler. If you wait for them to stop you could be waiting a few years! My sons 25 months now and certainly isn't showing any signs of stopping!

 

[cosmicgirl]

I don't know how to get him to stop though, he loves it!