Still asking to nurse-6 months after weaning?????

[jaynee]

Hi everyone,

My dd weaned last July at 31 months of age. She is now just a little over 3 & has asked to nurse last night & again this morning. She loves to "feel" my breasts & will fondle if I let her. I tell her she can lay on them & she usually takes me up on that when she needs comfort. She isn't feeling the best right now due to a 3 week on-going ear infection that she's on her 3rd antibiotic for, so I understand her need for comfort. I'm just still amazed that she still remembers enough to ask. My last baby only nursed 10 months so this is new to me. Any ideas? This is normal, right?? I did speak to my LC about 2 months after weaning about this same issue & she said it was normal & would go away with time. She doesn't seem to be losing her affinity for my breasts with time-lol!!! Just please reassure me this is normal & give me any ideas on how to handle this gently. Also, how long can I expect her to pine for her 'nursies'? This makes me feel so guilty for weaning her even though I did so for my own medical reasons.

Thanks everyone!

[Jacksmommy]

What she's doing is completely normal. I would just cuddle her a lot and pay her a lot of attention. Allow her as much access to your breasts as you're comfortable with. I don't know how long she'll want to nurse. Every child is different.

[jaynee]

Thanks for the information! Poor baby-she just pulled at her ear again while laying down for her nap. She's now on Zithromax & her ped instructed me to give her the 5 days of one script, wait two days, then give her a refill round. Today is the day she is to start the next round. She really hasn't had much ear trouble so far-but it's just amazing how sick she's been this winter without the benefit of breastmilk. I can't tell you how many times I've almost relented & started trying to relactate with her. This certainly explains why she wanted to nurse again. I figured it was normal, but just wanted to make sure!!

[divea]

Mine has weaned 7 months ago and yet, she will petend to feed. She understands that the baby needs maama's milk, so she will pretend, rub, fondle me. I have offerred her the breast, she looks tempted and with a resolve in her eyes, shakes her head and runs off in another direction. She misses it, ............it breaks my heart. I didn't know others were going through this. Only my daughter and I really miss and understand the situation!!

[jaynee]

I'm glad you posted!! My DD is still asking once in a while & still sticking her hand down my shirt regularly although it has diminished slightly to doing more when she's tired, anxious, or in a similar situation!!! It does break your heart, doesn't it!!! I know I did well giving her 2 1/2 years of nursing, but sometimes I wish I had tolerated my back pain longer. But I don't think it would have ever been that easy with her!! I really think she would have been a girl wanting to nurse until she was way older than I was comfortable with, so I made the right decision! I haven't offered her to nurse again, although I have come so close on several occasions. I really think she would try! But she also doesn't have a younger sibling that nurses now, so that might be the difference. Anyway, good luck to you & enjoy your new baby!!!

[divea]

Thank you for posting...I stopped because I was 9 mo preg and could not bear her weight on me or lie down....I was actually thinking of doing a tandem but couldn't. I too think, my daughter would have nursed till she was 15........okay 5 !! Ironocallly the son doesn't care about the breast. He has his meals and finish...no comfort nursing. Not even when he's getting vaccinated. My daughter used to nurse for hrs. after vaccination, or in an unfamiliar place. DS however just sleeps it of....unbelievable!