My DD has always enjoyed nursing. Since about 13 or 14 months, I've been just nursing when we're together, not pumping, sort of going with the flow and following her lead. Sometimes that means 2 nursing sessions a day, other times, especially on the weekends, it might be 3 or 4 sessions. No big deal. I'm cool with this and she obviously is too.
For the last month or so though, I feel like the minute my DD sees me she's saying and signing milk like crazy. In the morning she doesn't even want me to change her diaper before she has milk and she cries the whole time until we nurse. Right when I walk in the door from work she screams miiiiiil and signs with both hands.
I sort of feel strange about it, like she only likes me for milk. I know this is probably a really immature statement, but it just feels strange. Has anyone else experienced this or felt this way? I literally can't do anything else until I nurse her without her throwing a huge fit.
Maybe I should just be glad I'm still "needed" and know this phase will pass....
Re: Any extended BF here?
Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle. -Philo
Baby N conceived after 1 miscarriage and more than 2 years of TTC. Diagnosis was low sperm count. We found success after 3 months of anastrozole to increase DH's testosterone and one IUI.
Some charts
I'm stupid. You're smart. I was wrong. You were right. You're the best. I'm the worst. You're very good-looking. I'm not attractive. - Happy Gilmore
I could have written this post myself! My DS2 is 22 months old, and he still wants to nurse first thing in the morning and right before bed at night. I no longer pump either, so sometimes I wonder if he's even getting anything. He ONLY wants me in the morning, and refuses to even look at DH until after he nurses. Sometimes, like you, I feel like he just wants me for my boobs! I have no answers, just empathy.
FYI, DS1 was never like this. He quit nursing, on his own, at 11 months.
Yes, my DS does this, but it doesn't bother me. I figure it's his way of re-connecting with me when I get home from work, and in the morning, he always wakes up cranky so it comforts him. For babies and toddlers, nursing is about much more than just nutrition, they use it for comfort and connection. I think it's wonderful that he still has this available.
Hope this helps!
BFP#2: EDD 2/11/14, MMC confirmed 7/15/13 (growth stopped at 6 weeks), D&C @ 12 weeks 7/25/13
Take it as a compliment! It just shows how special you are to her, I promise.
DS2 - Oct 2010 (my VBAC baby!)
I agree with this. I'm loving this age! Just retired the pump and weaned from bottles, so it's a much more casual, enjoyable relationship we have. I feel like I, too, need those 15 min in the am and after work to snuggle and regroup.
Wow, so nice to see so many extended BF here! Thank you for all of your replies and helpful advice.
I think I just need to change my frame of mind. Instead of feeling like I'm only good for the boob I'm going to think how nice it is that she still wants and needs me for comfort. I agree that it's probably her way of re-connecting with me. I'm going to really try to take it as a compliment and enjoy it as I know she won't nurse forever.
DD nursed for 18 months and I considered weaning DS between 6 and 9 months and just pump to avoid him always wanting it as a toddler, but I won?t looking back I did love that time. Also I never had engorgement issues because she weaned naturally and slowly vs. stopping everything at once. DH and I went on vacation when she was 16 almost 17 months and I did not pump so I think I essentially dried up then and it was not long after that she stop wanting it.
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