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Breastfeeding
My nursing toddler is driving me bonkers!
(also posted on Toddlers 12-24 mos)
I
rarely post these days, but I need some insight on how to get our
nursing relationship back on track! My son turned one in October and our
breastfeeding experience has been great overall. My goal was to nurse
for a year and then keep going as long as it was still working for both
of us, allowing him to wean himself naturally and gradually. well, this
isn't working for either of us anymore!!!!
My
supply has definitely decreased, but I still have enough for 3 or 4
good nursing sessions per day. I work 3 nights/wk so things are just
fine on days when he is in daycare while I'm sleeping or if we're out
and about a lot. The problem comes on days we're mostly home together
because my LO absolutely LOVES to nurse! He does some sign language and
he is constantly signing "milk" even if we just nursed 15 mins before.
If I tell him the milk is all done or give him a sippy of WCM instead he
throws a fit, acts all pathetic/crabby and mopes around until I give in
and let him try to get something out of me or manage to distract him
with something else. If I do let him nurse again, it hurts so bad
because he has 8 teeth and they scrape against my areolas as he tries to
suck and pull and twist to get some milk.
I
just don't know what to do because we are both miserable on days like
that! I really don't want to forcibly wean him if he doesn't want
to...if he could just be content with 3 x/day and not beg and drive me
nuts in between we'd do just fine! He does drink about 4-10 oz of WCM
most days plus plenty of water and he can eat more food than I can, so
I'm really not concerned about nutrition...just our sanity and the way
our otherwise loving relationship has been much more difficult because
of this.
Thanks for letting me vent. If anyone has been there done that or has any ideas I would love to hear from you!!
Gotta post and run, but I'll be back this afternoon...
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Re: My nursing toddler is driving me bonkers!
I am right there with you, mama! Except for my son isn't content to sign for milk, he prefers to stick his entire arm (or sometimes his head) down my shirt while saying something like "Eh, Eh, EH!!" If I sit down he automatically takes that as an invitation to nurse, even if he just ate 10 minutes ago. I usually just play with him or distract him.
One thing I have noticed is that since his molars and eye teeth started coming in about 3 months ago that he eats less solid food when his gums are sore, so there are times where I feel like he really does need to nurse more. Thankfully the biting phase didn't last long for us and I hope it gets better for you soon.
It sounds like your LO might have a lazy latch, not uncommon for a toddler. Here's some info from LLL's website that might be helpful.
GL to you!