jealous toddler making it near impossible to BF baby

[mandeloo]

Hiyas

I am sure some of you have kids that are pretty close in age. My last two are 17 months apart. Recently, I have had a HUGE problem. My toddler does everything in her power to get my attention when I am feeding my 3 month old. It's like she can't stand that I am feeding him. She will jump up on top of us, hit him, hit me and if all of that doesn't work she starts getting into trouble all over the house. Dumps things on the floor, somehow locates danger and gets to it. It never fails that I have to break the latch and go run over to tend to her. Unfortunately by the time I get back to nursing he is so upset he wants nothing to do with me. This all ends up in him not getting a complete feeding because in order to do that he has to stay latched on with no breaks. After looking at his green stools for a while I am convinced he does have the imbalance. I don't want to mess up my toddler by confining her to a place like her room or something while I am feeding him but I am at my wits end. Any suggestions?

[majubee30]

how about you go in the safe place (like her room) with her while you nurse, that way she is not alone in there.

maybe a special toy she can have for while you are nursing or allow cartoons to be on Tv while you are nursing. I dunno. something that she would really like to have, so nursing is a special time for her too.

[Jacksmommy]

I'd do my best to put up anything that is not toddler safe - close doors to rooms that aren't baby proof, put baby locks on cabinets, etc. Then I'd set up a distraction for the toddler - some toy that hasn't been played with in a while, a baby Einstein video - whatever. Then I'd nurse the baby. I'd say a lot of "be careful", but unless the toddler managed to set a fire or find a knife, I wouldn't stop nursing the baby.

[Amy_G_]

how about you go in the safe place (like her room) with her while you nurse, that way she is not alone in there.

maybe a special toy she can have for while you are nursing or allow cartoons to be on Tv while you are nursing. I dunno. something that she would really like to have, so nursing is a special time for her too.

This,
safe place to nurse is essential.
Extra toddler proofing of the house.
Toddler snacks and drinks in a toddler safe location--and stuff that won't make a huge mess.
one time a day do story time, and when baby nurses, you red to toddler from a brand new book(purchased or library visit)
give toddler a job to do--get mommy a snack and toddler a snack for instance, or bring a diaper.
get a basket of toys from the dollar store, and use those as nursing time toys. toddler gets to play with them only when you nurse. wrap a toy and let her open a new one every day or 3.
sling baby and nurse on the go.

[Jacksmommy]

Another thought - Can you stand up while nursing? Walk while nursing? These are things that I did to help calm my ds sometimes. It might be a really good way to keep your dd from jumping on you both or hitting either one of you. At least she wouldn't be able to reach the baby. Also, do you have a sling. I think a sling can be very helpful for moms with a baby and a toddler. It would let you be more mobile more easily and have a hand free. That could be very useful.

[mandeloo]

any slings to recommend? I have a baby Bjorn but thats more for shopping or other things and it sits the baby upright on my chest. I tried a wendy bellisima sling and found it strange. The sling idea is a good one, along with the new toys I like that. I just need some suggestions on the sling.
thanks ladies!

[dodoe80]

This site sells slings and also tells you how to make your own. She shows several different types of slings too. It's were I got the instructions for my sling.

http://www.sleepingbaby.net/jan/index.html
http://www.sleepingbaby.net/jan/Baby/index.html

[MaLeah]

my kids are 11 months apart...i really never had that problem so far..my oldest is 14 months and my daughter is 2 1/2 months...but my oldest sometimes just comes lays by us...he even try to burp her...other sometimes he try to burp her head or butt..he dont hit hard at all...nice and gentle...his loving and caring...a mommies boy....i think girls tend to do worse...throw a fit n be a lil brat lol

[Psyche]

Some women also find nursing in a wrap to be easier. A sling can take awhile to figure out, unless you have help. Some areas have baby wearing meetings or at LLL a lot of moms wear their babies and maybe can help.

A snack for your older DC sounds like a good idea. How about reading to her while you're nursing. If she's getting jealous, getting the one on one contact and interaction might help.

[Nipple_nectar]

How about a playpen? High chair or crib? I have all three and would be lost if I had no way to contain the 18 month old.

We do arts n crafts in the high chair. She loves aqua doodle, sticker books and dry erase books with markers, she wants to stay in the chair even after I'm done my shower and hygiene, that's at least 40 minutes. Even a tea set with real water keeps her busy and wet;-) for at least a half hour.

[ima062002]

Definetly confine all of you to a space that she can't get into too much trouble. And have some suprises ready - toys you've put away for a while, books she likes to read with you etc.