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XP: Extended Nursing Question

kiarox2002kiarox2002
in Attachment Parenting
Kate seems to be trying to wean herself, but I keep thinking she must be too young for this.  I really wanted to nurse her until she was at least 18 months if not 2 years old.  :(She was down to only nursing before naps and bedtime, but now she is even fighting me on these nursing times.  I just put her down for her nap (DH got up with her this morning and she was *way* overtired) and she threw a huge tantrum when I tried to nurse her.  She was flailing around, kicking, screaming, and then when I finally tried to latch her on she bit me *really* hard (she likes to bit down and then jerk her head back.  ow.) Sadly, this is become more and more the norm.  I think she is associating nursing with going to sleep and she doesn't want to go to sleep.  When I try to nurse her at other times she has zero interest.  I would say that about 1/2 the time she'll nurse before going to sleep, but not for very long, maybe 5 minutes.  I fear offering her the breast because about half the time it ends in a really painful bite.Part of me thinks that I just need to let go and follow her lead, but another part of me thinks that she could really use the milk especially as we come up on flu season.  And a big part of me just isn't ready to be done yet.  :(  This has been going on for probably 2 months, so I don't think it's just a nursing strike. Thoughts?  Advice? 
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Re: XP: Extended Nursing Question

  • papiepapie member

    How old is she? I thought DD was going to wean at 10 months, she only wanted to nurse in the morning, before nap and at bedtime.  Then she started daycare and got sick a lot, and went back to waking to nurse at night and nursing more during the day.  They do go through phases.  We were down to only the bedtime and morning by like 12 months except for when she was sick, and she still nursed until 20 months, and would have went longer but I was done.  Some kids cut down quick but hang on to those last feedings for a long time.  

    Don't stress too much, keep offering before nap and sleep and see how she does.  I wouldn't offer during the day anymore though, it seems like she is done with those at least for now.  

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  • kiarox2002kiarox2002
    She'll be 15 months next week.  
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  • MamiJamMamiJam member
    DS has gone through phases like that where he associates nursing with sleeping and of course he doesn't want to sleep so he'll refuse to nurse.  I'd keep offering before naps and bed (and wake up if you normally do) but if she starts throwing a fit or really protesting, then just stop and wait for her to initiate.  Has she been teething?  I know DS refuses to nurse a lot when his gums are really bothering him.
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  • jnk062602jnk062602
    What about when she wakes up instead of going down for a nap?  DD doesn't nurse well if she is tired or over-tired either.
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  • brideofaussiebrideofaussie

    Two months is a long time.

    I'd just let her initiate BFing.  I wouldn't want to get bitten any more and certainly wouldn't want to force her to do something she didn't want to do.

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  • kiarox2002kiarox2002

    imagejnk062602:
    What about when she wakes up instead of going down for a nap?  DD doesn't nurse well if she is tired or over-tired either.

    She wakes up begging for solid food and has zero interest in nursing.  I've tried to offer after breakfast, but it's hit or miss.

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  • aspadeaspade member
    It's certainly early for self-weaning, but it's not outside the realm of normal.  Most kids self-wean between 2 and 3 years, but the full range is 9 months to 3.5 years.  I wouldn't force nursing on her.  Let her initiate.  Maybe her interest is waning.
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