Hi Ladies,
I breastfed my daughter until she was 20 months old. My doctor had suggested I stop when I got mastitis and was put on a very high dose of antibiotics. Anyway, that was 5 months ago and everytime my daughter sees my breasts she goes crazy and she still asks to nurse. My question is how long will it take for her to "forget" about them. I try to stay covered but sometimes it is hard. Thanks in advance!
Aw that has to be hard. I know it was for my. My daughter stopped at 20 months and she is 28 months now and still remembers when she sees my breasts. she more jokes about it now than really wants it but she still mentions it. she will grow out of it. Don't worry about it. And as for all the people who said she is too old thats not their business.
Hi E.,
I had a similar situation. I held my daughter close and stroked her hair and spoke soothingly to her while she drank milk from a cup. I wore a blouse, so she was not next to my skin. If I'd let her have her cheek on my bare chest, she'd start pulling at my bra and crying. Have her sit up straight, not lie back in your arm as if nursing, that is too much of a reminder. Then I weaned her from this technique by giving her a cup of milk, then holding her close. Soon she didn't associate the two. Good luck. I'll bet you are missing her closeness, too. It was as hard for me as it was for her.
Hi E..
First off- I want to congratulate you for making it to 20 months with your daughter.
That's wonderful and like the Surgeon General said, "It's a lucky baby that gets to breastfeed to 2 years old".... SHAME on those other posters who said, "If they can ask for it...or by 2 they should be weaned"...WHO are THEY to tell you what is best for your child?
I bf my son til he was almost 2- and he is a healthy almost 7 year old now.
I am currently breastfeeding my twin sons- who will be two at the end of Nov.
I plan on letting them lead the way to weaning...
I do not criticize those who chose formula for their children and would hope that others would not look down on "us" for choosing breast milk for ours. Yes- it will take a bit for your daughter to "forget" about nursing- as it's such a strong relationship. Consider yourself fortunate to have had such a bond. Your daughter is a lucky girl.
xo,A.
chocolate milk helped my daughter to forget
If she's old enough to ASK for it........she's too old to be nursing! Tell her she's a big girl now and can drink out of a cup and eat off of a plate!
At two years of age she should be weaned totally from everything, breast and bottle. When she goes for it, just say no, there's no more milk. She likes the feel of being held close to you, it gives her comfort and security. Find time to cuddle and read, but NO BREAST FEEDING. It won't take her log to get the idea.
You might be surprised to see a return of lactation if your child does resume breastfeeding. I've done extended breastfeeding and, yes, it can be very challenging.
The best thing about children this age (at least in my experience with my three boys) is that you can ask her to wait ... til you get home or til you get back to the car or to some place where you have some privacy.
I agree with Melody that most likely your daughter will try and give up. Mine said something like "no more num-nums"?
Please don't give up some time to snuggle with your daughter as an alternative to breastfeeding. Almost all of my extended breastfeeding experience was very little breastfeeding and a lot of snuggling! Kids this age need to physically know you are there for them.
Good luck!
my first child nursed til he was 3. everyone is different. but, i did know when it was time to quit, because i was exhausted, and needed that little part of our bond to separate. so, when he cried, which he sure did, i still held him, read a book, whatever. consoled him so he did not think that just because we were not doing "dadoos" that i was going to leave him. it did not take that long to adjust. some kids nurse for a few weeks, and i know moms who nursed their kids til they were 5. you do what you feel is best.
When my kids asked, instead of making a big deal about it and saying,"no", I always said ok. And, they never could nurse anymore. They tried, but their ability was gone so they never asked again. From what I understand she hasn't nursed in 5 months, right? So, if you give in, she won't be able to do it anymore. That would cure her of asking anymore.
Blessings,
M.
Mom to 5 Wonderful Kids
www.4MyChildrenSake.com
When my oldest was 20 months, his nursing slowed down so much that my husband and I were able to distract him from nursing. I was so tired, pregnant with my second, that it worked out great. By 2, my oldest was completely weaned and then a week later my second arrived. At the sight of me nursing little brother, my oldest freaked out- was completely insulted. He asked if he could nurse too, so I told him "Sure" and excitedly, he took off his clothes, tried to put on his jammies but settled for his blanket and sat next to me waiting for his turn. I laugh thinking about it now- it was so cute. Anyhow, so the baby is nursed, burped and sleeping and my Isaac and I climb back into bed and he tried to nurse. He couldnt get it, he had somehow lost his talent of suckling so he cried and demanded that I take it out! I said, here, let me give you some in a spoon. He took one taste and realized, it wasnt for him any longer.
Maybe this is tmi, but they dont ever really forget it. When she longs to nurse, invite her to cuddle with you.
When my second was weaning, it helped him to put his hand between my breast (first under my shirt then over my shirt) but it helped him, so I would not move his hand and he would fall asleep sooner.
There are all kinds of stages of weaning, letting go of the security of mothers arms. Every child adjusts differently.
