If you've nursed a toddler

[Meredith]

Were you able to limit or encourage them to cut back on the amount of frequency of nursing without weaning them completely?

Dax is 17 months, and I've always nursed on his terms - never scheduling feedings or turning him away or anything. I really, really wanted to let him wean on his own without encouraging him to wean, but I'm really burnt out today.

I have a UTI, a yeast infection, a cold (which could be a sinus infection or the flu), and a fever. I really, really don't feel like nursing constantly right now, but Dax is relentless. Every time I sit down, he takes that as a sign that it's time to nurse - the computer chair, the couch, the dinner table, the floor - it doesn't matter where. For him, that means it's time to nurse. He's a very active nurser, too. He climbs all over me and pinches my boob.

I don't want to wean him. I just want to have a little more time to heal and not have a toddler climbing all over me. Has anyone here found a way to distract or deter a toddler from nursing without a huge fuss? I really hate the idea of rejecting him :( but physically, I'm just to exhausted to nurse him all the livelong day. Nursing lying down isn't really much of an option anymore. He just doesn't stay lying down. Again, he just climbs all over me, and I get no rest or relaxation out of it.

Thanks for reading.

[StillSingingMom]

I've had to distract a toddler many times. I don't know that I'm good at it, though. In your shoes, I'd resort to the TV. You must really need a break!

He's not asking to nurse because he's coming down with something, is he?

[Meredith]

He just got over an ear infection, actually. I really hope he's not catching what I have. :/

I've tried the TV, too. It's sort of hit and miss, but I certainly was really to try it!

[Sym]

I did, I nursed my youngest for a little over 2 yrs. When she was about 21 mos we were only nursing 3 times a day, maybe 4 is she was sick or something.

From about 22 mos until 24, she only nursed at naptime and bedtime.

To be honest, I think (just IMHO) he is old enough for you to get firm with the twiddling and pinching etc. When my youngest got like that, I would move her hand, tell her no, and if she persisted, stop nursing.

Then, I'd let her nurse again, maybe in 10 minutes or so, and lather rinse repeat.

[Meredith]

The pinching thing has been so annoying. I usually say no, and if he won't stop, I put him down. He stopped for a while, and then it started again. It gets so tiring. I'll have to start being more firm about it.

[Sym]

I know Mer, it is hard, but worth it. Just be firm and a little hard hearted.

It is also good practice for when he is 10 yrs old and says "But Mom, everyone is allowed to hang out at the mall until closing ! You are so unfair !"

The pinching needs to stop, Especially when they have those little sharp nails, ugghh, my dd would leave me looking clawed.

[still_me]

I feel for you. I am not above admitting that there were days that chocolate milk was brought out much more than normal when I couldn't take nursing all.day.long.

[Nipple_nectar]

I agree that a nursing necklace would be helpful for you. Unfortunately, when you have a toddler that has been allowed to twiddle for six months, it is practically impossible to break the habit.

In order for nursing necklaces to be effective, you need to use them as soon as the twiddling starts, how long has he been twiddling/pinching?

I also agree that he is old enough to understand nursing manners. Mine has a habit of touching my keyboard while I try to type something. I tell her to stop or she has to get down, she listens and stops.

Also, at his age, if you want to gently encourage weaning, I would start focusing on a particular place to nurse and only nurse there, no where else.

I did this about a year ago and have been very successful at limiting her. Our spot is my bed and she doesn't even ask now, unless I am laying in my bed. At the beginning, she would try in the livingroom and I would say, we have to go to bed for nursie's, some days she would want to go and some days not.

[Tiffers]

I agree with the previous posters. Distraction is how I was able to cut down on nursing frequency.

IRT the pinching, yes, be firm and consistent. Elise wasn't a pincher but she would twiddle my other nipple and tickle my sides. Every now and then she would bite. I would tell her no and put her down. She would pitch a fit, but she learned quickly!

[Meredith]

He first started pinching (he pinches the breast that he's currently nursing from, and he get's extremely frustrated when I try to cover it with my shirt) when he was about 3 months old, I think. He refused to be swaddled, so I literally had to hold his hand down by his side, almost behind his back, to keep him from pinching me. This worked for several months, and he was eventually able to nurse without having his hands held back.

He starts back up from time to time, and my initial reaction is moving his hand and saying "No". If he does it again, I put him down. Last night and today, it's just the act of nursing alone that's wearing on me.

I admit I've been lax about fighting the pinching at times. Sometimes, it's not really hurting me - it's just annoying. I am definitely guilty of just giving into it just because I don't want the hassle. :/

[Mocosita]

My son went through that same stage too. I kept offering him some shakes (we make it with banana, peanut butter and chocolate) or just fruit shakes (mango, papaya) and if he got too clingy, I just got out of the house..... typically if he was out and about and busy, he forgot to nurse as often.

Hope you feel better soon.

[ima062002]

To be honest, I think (just IMHO) he is old enough for you to get firm with the twiddling and pinching etc. When my youngest got like that, I would move her hand, tell her no, and if she persisted, stop nursing.

Then, I'd let her nurse again, maybe in 10 minutes or so, and lather rinse repeat.

This.

[Jacksmommy]

Frequency of nursing I could not cut down at that age unless I didn't sit down. He wouldn't ask until I sat down and asked every time I sat down. Pinching was never an issue here, but I did at some point make a no hands rule. I just got to where I couldn't stand being touched on my breasts while nursing at all. I held his hand when it was a problem.

[lilsea]

My dd is almost 3, the only one who nursed this long. I have been able to limit nursing to sleep time. I can distract her, but when she wants it, she wants it. LOL