Here's another nursing question. Everyone is so helpful though. My son is 13 months and he has cut down to between 1 and 3 times of real nursing (where he pays attention, I have a let down, he doesn't bite, or play peek-a-boo with my nipple, etc.)But throughout the day, especially if he is tired, he tries to nurse, or thinks he wants to nurse. He will suck for a couple of seconds and then start laughing or he will laugh and try to pinch me or my favorite ,nip me! I don't mind letting him try to nurse. I usually just give him his milk in his cup and he is fine. Or he will do it for a few seconds, give me a smile and hop down. I guess it is just still so comforting even if there is no milk (it takes a pretty good while to get a let down now) that even just a little mouthing will help. Also I think I give him plenty of love and support and cuddle time, so I think he might just be used to cuddling and comfort this way. I guess my question or concern is, am I hindering the weaning process? He really has done so good on his own with cutting back and I am in no rush really. I just bascically have no milk left and I want a break before trying to have another kid. REally though, I don't think this is bad or wrong and will probably let him keep "pretend nursing" until he figures out to stop or until he bites me hard again on purpose, but I just have never done this and was wondering how y'all have done it!! Thank you!
Thanks for the advice! It is a nice snuggly time I have with my son even when he doesn't really nurse. He makes funny faces with me and I get the sweetest smiles from him during those times. It is like he says, "thanks Mama, love you too." Except when he plays the make mom say owie game while I bite her!
It sounds like he is just enjoying that time with you right now. I nursed 2 boys ... one for 23 months (he weaned himself in the first trimester of pregnancy with my second) and my second I nursed for almost 2 1/2 years (this one I had to wean, but it was easy.) I see nothing wrong with letting him have that comfort as long as you are ok with it. Once you quit nursing, you can't go back, so enjoy this bonding time with him!
My daughter bit me and would laugh when I would jump but she didn't realize it hurt. And I thought empathy would come naturally, but I think it has to be taught. So I told her firmly not to do that. It hurts me. She didn't stop at first and I would make her get down. So then she stopped because she looooved to nurse. It was so comforting. So I would say be firm with him when he bites you and let him know it hurts. If he persists I would just make him get down. The rest of it, just do what you are doing until you tire of it. Best wishes.
I pretty much agree with what everyone else said. You have to make the decision you are comfortable with. I nursed all 3 of mine. But when they played with me or the bottle, I figured after 5-10 minutes they are not really wanting the filling of the nourishment, just a sip of liquid and a cuddle.
So I got out the sippy cups and held them a minute while they got a drink. Then put the cup back in the fridge (diluted juice/water/milk) and off we went to the next item of the day. With my first 2 being a year apart, there was always something to be done or a 'scheduled play time' such as going for a walk or playing in their wading pool--something they really liked doing. ;-)
btw my boys were much more inclined to act like this than my dd.
Well, it really sounds like he's done nursing.....he should be weaned anyways since he is over 1. Usually the bottle gets tossed after the first birthday. The same applies for nursing. He can use a cup now, so there isn't a need for the breast. If you want him to get your milk, you should pump and give it to him in a cup. It sounds like all he is doing is playing when you are trying to nurse. Does he have a favorite toy/blanket to use as a comfort object when tired? This would be better than letting him use your breast as comfort. You can still hold him while he's settling down if he needs that closeness......hope this helps.
Hi T.!
I think it's time to complete the weaning process. He sounds like he's ready and you sound like you're almost ready. We, mommies, have more separation anxiety than our little ones. He'll be perfectly fine.
Take Care and enjoy cuddling your little one.
D.
If you want him to wean on his own, don't offer and don't refuse any nursing session. Milk or no milk, he enjoys that special time and bond he has with you when he nurses.
If you want to encourage weaning, try to distract him with a snuggle, book or get him involved in something else.
