XP: Nursing aversion, esp at night

Re: XP: Nursing aversion, esp at night

• ncbelle member

  November 2013

  It's ok to limit her nursing time - nursing is a relationship; if it's really bothering you to night nurse, it's time to stop night nursing!  Otherwise, you are going to come to resent nursing her period.  Yes, she may be angry about not getting to night nurse.  But I found it helpful to remember something Jay Gordon said about night weaning a toddler - at that point the tears are not tears of fear, they are tears of anger.  If you are offering other comforts, that's equally good and she will come to accept those.
  

  
  

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• Emerald27 member

  November 2013

  I agree that they're not tears of fear at that point, but it's also so so important to remember how strongly little ones associate nursing with affection. So even if it's "anger", there can be more to it than just not getting their way. If you want to night wean, that is one option, but it's not the only option. I might worry that with the lack of milk and DD's age, night weaning could expand to complete self-weaning...but I haven't night weaned before, and haven't done so while pregnant, so I'm not totally sure about that.
  
  If tandem nursing and allowing LO to continue nursing as long as she has the need is really important to you, then there are a few things you could try to make it through until number 2 arrives. The aversion may go away sooner than the birth of LO2 too.
  
  Try to make yourself as comfy as possible for nursing, and watch TV, talk with DH, or do something else distracting while she nurses, to keep your mind off the sensation that bothers you. This is easier during the day.
  
  Wear a teething necklace that gives her something to occupy her hands.
  
  Offer lots and lots of water during the day. Keep it out and within arms reach so that she can get to it easily. Even if there's not milk there anymore, she might think to nurse first when she's thirsty rather than just go for water.
  
  At night, keep water next to your bed so that you can drink some water when you nurse. Sometimes having something else that's a strong sensation (like drinking cool water) can cancel out the sensation in nursing that causes the aversion. Another option would be keeping a bowl of M&Ms or Hershey's kisses next to the bed, so that you can eat a small but of chocolate when she nurses. Good sensation to make the brain happy while the heart does what it needs to do.
  
  Wear a shirt to bed that doesn't provide easy access to nursing so that you don't automatically offer the boob when she stirs. Only offer if she wakes enough to really want to nurse.
  
  Good luck! You're almost there, mama!

  
  

  
  

  

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• cyprissa member

  November 2013

  I had to night wean DS1 when I was pregnant...between aversions and exhaustion there is no way I would have made it. If you go that route, don't feel bad. Comfort is important but at 27 months your LO does not need to eat. Keep a sippy of water near the bed and offer that with some comforting back rubs and cuddles. Also, having a new baby is demanding and I am so glad that I'm not night nursing a toddler on top of that. I honestly cannot imagine the total sleep deprivation. My toddler has been waking up screaming at 3:30 for 4 nights and I'm ready to loose my mind just dealing with that so there is no way I could long term night nurse him and his brother.

  
  
  

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