Are you breastfeeding a toddler?

[Lesley]

Ah how did I miss this thread? LOL

I was nursing my 3yo (now 6) when I got pregnant with my youngest. I nursed tandem for 6 months until my older dd weaned at 4.5yo. My youngest is 2.5 and I don't see an end in sight. Since I've been nursing for over 6 years straight now I'm quite prepared for her to wean. I'm ready for that part of my life to be over whenever she's ready.

Both my girls were nursed all over WDW....rides, shows, benches, etc....and the only time I used the baby care center nursing rooms was when I had a toddler who was badly fighting a nap and needed the quiet to overcome her resistance. The rocker and the dim lighting were perfect for that, but not necessary any other time. Oh, and using one of the provided nursing pillows was a big help too!

 

[noahynav]

This thread is one of the most inspiring threads I have ever read. No drama...anywhere in it....I love that!! Usually extended breastfeeding brings out some pretty opinionated people who are NOT in favor of it. That being said, I think it is absolutely wonderful that so many of us have been able to BF for so long. I had no idea.....I thought I was the only one that BF babies over 1 year of age. Where I live it does not seem to be very common, unfortunately.

I really wish I had read this thread 3 months ago. I weaned my son (27 months old at the time) back in May. I chose to wean for a variety of reasons but now I kind of regret it. Had I read this thread I think of would have continued on and not worried so much about it.

One of the main reasons I decided to wean him is because at 2 years old he is not really talking at all. He only says a handful of single syllable words. Several people told me that maybe it was because he was nursing to much. So I weaned him, but guess what? He's still not talking. Now I am dealing with those terrible two's tantrums and I have no "mommy milk" to help de-escalate the situation. I also miss the cuddle time throughout the day.

 

[DisneyPhD]

This thread is one of the most inspiring threads I have ever read. No drama...anywhere in it....I love that!! Usually extended breastfeeding brings out some pretty opinionated people who are NOT in favor of it. That being said, I think it is absolutely wonderful that so many of us have been able to BF for so long. I had no idea.....I thought I was the only one that BF babies over 1 year of age. Where I live it does not seem to be very common, unfortunately.

I really wish I had read this thread 3 months ago. I weaned my son (27 months old at the time) back in May. I chose to wean for a variety of reasons but now I kind of regret it. Had I read this thread I think of would have continued on and not worried so much about it.

One of the main reasons I decided to wean him is because at 2 years old he is not really talking at all. He only says a handful of single syllable words. Several people told me that maybe it was because he was nursing to much. So I weaned him, but guess what? He's still not talking. Now I am dealing with those terrible two's tantrums and I have no "mommy milk" to help de-escalate the situation. I also miss the cuddle time throughout the day.

Hugs

Have you tried any sign language with him? This can be a great tool until the verbal language develops and it will NOT delay verbal communication. Kids love it.

My favorite series is signing time, but there are many books and videos. My kids love singing (both the 2 year old and the 5 year old.) The 2 year old still uses a bit, but her verbal language skills are very good so not as much as she used too. Still it was so helpful to us when she was younger. Even now if I am having a hard time understanding her she will sign and make what she is trying to express perfectly clear.

Here is a link to the site, some PBS stations show them, and many library's have them too.

http://www.signingtime.com/


Oh, and I thought we were almost done. She turns 2 in 2 days and is still nursing every morning, so who knows how long we will continue. As far as her food allergies go, I seem to be able to have a bit more freedom in my diet and it isn't brothering her, so I am happy about that. (she is allergic to eggs and milk, meaning I had to cut them out of my diet for a year to nurse her. That wasn't easy.) As long as I have a bit of freedom in my diet I am in no hurry to stop.

 

[noahynav]

Thank you, DisneyPhD...I just may check that series out. I think it sounds like something my son would really like. Thanks for the website!!

 

[UtahMama]

Tinkerbellmama! Thank you for starting this thread! I nursed all but one of my 4 kids past a year. They are happy and healthy and well-adjusted and smart! DD2 is very good at baby sign and can "tell" me almost anything! I am done having babies but I love my memories of nursing my beautiful little ones!!!
I used to LOVE visiting other Breastfeeding Mamas in the quiet rocking chair room at the Baby Care Centers.

 

[belle&beast]

One of the main reasons I decided to wean him is because at 2 years old he is not really talking at all. He only says a handful of single syllable words. Several people told me that maybe it was because he was nursing to much. So I weaned him, but guess what? He's still not talking. Now I am dealing with those terrible two's tantrums and I have no "mommy milk" to help de-escalate the situation. I also miss the cuddle time throughout the day.

I am a preschool speech therapist and the advice about the Signing Times videos/books is great! If you do not see an improvement, ask your pediatrician about a speech and language evaluation. You may also be seeing tantrums as a result of frustration in his difficulty communicating. IMO and according to research these early years are critical for language development and it would not hurt to evaluate him early.

There is a lot of research about bottle feeding affecting language development, not so much about breastfeeding. I would think that at his age you were not nursing as often as bottle fed kids get a bottle- does that make sense? We recommend weaning from a bottle at 12-14 months, not sure about nursing. I really don't think it has the same impact, but I have to admit I am not sure. i will look and see if I can come up with any information for you.

 

[wils]

What an interesting thread.

A lot of people I meet are impressed/amazed that I am still BFing DS (only 9 months old!) I don't know if it is because extended feeding is less common in the UK?

I fed DD until 14 months which seemed 'right' for us both. We'll see how I go with DS but I am planning on at least a few more months

Good wishes to all BF and exBF Mums - it's one of my proudest achievements!

 

[100 acre wood]

Not now, but I nursed my son for 21 months....
Make sure you have a nursing bib, makes it much easier to feed in private! And I loved the nursing tops, they made it so much easier to nurse as needed.
Actually, it was a trip to Disney that he weaned himself! By the time we returned home, he had no interest and seemed to have forgotten about it all together in a week and a half! He was so busy that he just didn't seem to care anymore about it. Funny, because two months prior, a different trip to Disney didn't have any affect on his habits whatso ever. I guess when they are ready they are ready!


And let me tell you, you are doing your child a very good turn...I am convinced that having nursed him so long made him the healthiest of my kids!

 

[solgent]

I haven't read the whole thread....just wanted to say that I nursed my twins for more than 2 years. So many people said, "You won't be able to do it." People encouraged me when I did a 275 mile bike ride; they encouraged me when I got a PhD; why do they have to undermine me when I wanted to give my daughters the best start in life? I weaned them because I had to take medication in connection with getting pregnant again. Nursed my youngest for more than 3 years.

My girls have always been very healthy and I give the credit to mama milk.

 

[debbi801]

My DS turned 4 a month ago and nurses about once every week or two. I really enjoyed nursing him through those difficult toddler stages, but now I'm ready for him to be done and I think he's almost there. We've had some really sweet moments. I'm glad to see all of these other extended nursing mamas. I haven't met any IRL outside of LLL so I guess in my mind I still feel like a "freak". It's nice to know it's not totally true.

Thank you. You have absolutely made my day. My DS turned 4 in February and he has no interest in saying goodbye to "nursies." I am more than ready to be done. We've gotten it down to once a day, but he's still going strong.

Anyway, thank you for letting me know I'm not the only one.

 

[barbanm]

I am so glad to see this thread. I nursed DD til she was 16 months (I now wish I had encouraged her to go longer) and DS is 14 months and going strong. We will be in Disney at the end of the month and will be nursing wherever and whenever he needs to! It is great to see all the support out there for us mommies who nurse beyond a year!

Barbara

 

[ChristusG]

I'm just wrapping up nursing my 27 month old. I am 7 weeks pregnant and the horomones are drying up my milk. I would have loved to nurse for longer though! She still tries to nurse but I dont think she gets anything.

 

[brymolmom]

My wife nursed our first DD until she was 3 1/2, when she got pregnant with our second DD who is now 2 and still nursing at nap time, bed time, and for comfort when she is sick or hurts herself.

Keep up the good work Moms! It is nice to see other moms that care about their children as much as my wife and I do!

Should I do it? Do I dare? I like reading this type of thread because there is usually a lot of support and I like to hear of others' experiences.

But I really dislike it when people make comments like above. Those who BF do not care about their children any more than those who don't. We all love our children more than words can say and make the best choices for them. Please do not make that generalization.

 

[emh1129]

Should I do it? Do I dare? I like reading this type of thread because there is usually a lot of support and I like to hear of others' experiences.

But I really dislike it when people make comments like above. Those who BF do not care about their children any more than those who don't. We all love our children more than words can say and make the best choices for them. Please do not make that generalization.

I didn't interpret his comment that way..
It's just that it takes a special commitment to breastfeed into toddler hood and to deal with all of the ignorance out there about bf'ing an older child & bf'ing in general.

 

[DisneyPhD]

I didn't interpret his comment that way..
It's just that it takes a special commitment to breastfeed into toddler hood and to deal with all of the ignorance out there about bf'ing an older child & bf'ing in general.

I couldn't agree more.

 

[AngieWin]

Glad to see this bumped up again!! Still nursing my almost 12 month old and nursed ds2 until he was 21 months.

 

[MOQu]

I just found this thread and it couldn't have come at a better time!

We are heading down to WDW for free dining in three weeks. I still nurse my DS who is 28 months old. (Nursed DS16 until he weaned himself at 10 months because I was pregnant with DD14, who nursed until she was 2 1/2.)

DS has a dairy allergy so I can't have dairy either. I have been gently trying to wean him so that I can enjoy all the free dining plan has to offer (creme brulee, ice cream, CHEESE). After reading this thread, I have been reminded of why I believe self-weaning is important and have decided to not put my need for a few days of indulgence ahead of DS's needs.

I can also relate to a 2 year old not talking. DS has mild craniosynostosis (skull fused together too soon, luckily his is so mild it did not require surgery). We were very concerned about his delay in speech at 2 years old. Now, just a few months after his second birthday he is talking up a storm! We found that "Talking Hands" and "Baby Signs" were wonderful tools for helping curb the frustration he was experiencing about not being able to communicate. I also believe watching those videos (which he asks for more than any other video) really helped him get where he is now!

 

[Addicted2TheMouse]

Hey, glad to see this thread going again. I need some advice if anyone has any.

I'm still BFing my DS who is 23 months. Now that he's starting to talk so much, it's getting a bit awkward. Last week I picked him up at daycare and the we went to pick up DH at his work. Well, we got into DH's work and DS starts whining and saying "Nurse! Nurse!". How do I make him understand that we can't nurse just anywhere. Now I'm all for nursing in public and did it all the time when DS was a baby but I just don't feel comfortable nursing a toddler who's almost 3 feet tall in public. But it's very hard for me to say no because it almost feels like I'm saying "No, I won't give you a hug", KWIM? Like, he only wants to nurse to get a snuggle or some comfort. How do you say no? Any suggestions? I tried to distract him, offered him some water, tried to explain we would nurse as soon as we got home... he just got more and more upset.

 

[solgent]

I'm still BFing my DS who is 23 months. Now that he's starting to talk so much, it's getting a bit awkward.....I just don't feel comfortable nursing a toddler who's almost 3 feet tall in public. But it's very hard for me to say no because it almost feels like I'm saying "No, I won't give you a hug", KWIM? Like, he only wants to nurse to get a snuggle or some comfort. How do you say no? Any suggestions? I tried to distract him, offered him some water, tried to explain we would nurse as soon as we got home... he just got more and more upset.

Here is a Q&A from the La Leche League website that relates to your situation. Good luck. With your loving understanding of your son, you will figure out a way to meet his needs in a way that you're comfortable with.

Setting Limits with Your Nursing Toddler

 

[becca011906]

Love it!!! I think there was another thread started about this time last year that got really heated, ugly, and just nasty when a mom asked how it woudl go over with her nursing in the open at disney, i at the time had a 12 month old that was still nursing and was worried over it, now i'm still nursing my dd she will be 2 the end of aug we have a trip to Kings island next weekend and another trip to disney in feb i have a feeling she will still be nursing then too. I hope that going to KI i will get the the same reaction as when i was at disney last year saw lots of moms nursing, all ages but i just have this feeling it won't be as welcomed at kings island, oh well, i'll deal with it, i think OH has a state law protecting BFing I know IN and FL do... i'll have to check into that!

I nursed my ds till he was about 15months, only nursed my middle child till she was about 6 month due to awful medical advice. and plan to let dd now nurse as long as wanted.

I'm also a long time memeber of MDC same screen name as well! So glad to see mamas that are on both boards!!!