Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Should I stop breastfeeding to help improve my son's behaviour?

54 replies

Minette5 · 21/12/2018 21:24

So here it is.. I am a terrible worrier and over thinker so would love to have some advice or hear your stories. I have a 3yr old who is very much a mummy's boy and I have a 5month old LG who appears to be going the same way. She is breastfed and currently won't take a bottle so all feeding is on me. We are going to try her with sippy cups soon and she has begun weaning.
However my son's behaviour seems to be deteriorating, he has always been quite happy and animated but is getting very grumpy, tearful and negative. We have so many strops over nothing, he fake cries which gives everyone a headache and often sets the baby off crying too. We are working on this but I am thinking that perhaps if his behaviour doesn't improve I should stop breastfeeding to be able to spend more time with him and involve him more in the feeding. (He loves his sister and often tries to help by holding a boob). I am on the fence with this decision as I am doing well with the bf this time, she refuses a bottle ATM and she has allergies so the wonders of BM is good for her. We are very relaxed parents so any out there suggestions are welcome, your wealth of experience and knowledge may find something I haven't thought of!
Thank you.

OP posts:
SoyDora · 22/12/2018 07:50

yes, personally would stop breastfeeding your little one is at the age where really its not making a difference and its just hurting the feelings of your older child

Can you link to the evidence to suggest that breastfeeding doesn’t make a difference to a 5 month old?

SnuggyBuggy · 22/12/2018 08:42

Also the hassle of carting formula and hot water everywhere seems daft once BF is established.

ethelfleda · 22/12/2018 08:53

To echo what everyone else has said really - don’t give up (as long as you’re happy to carry on) just for your other child...

WhoGivesADamnForAFlakeyBandit · 22/12/2018 09:08

Surely one of the advantages of breastfeeding is that at - 5 months - it's easier and quicker than bottle feeding? There's no preparation, sterilising, washing of bottles etc all of which would take you away from your stroppy 3 year old?

Three year olds are pants anyway - they have very strong needs and wants and want it all now and life's all a bit scary and brilliant at the same time. Deal with that before changing how you feed your daughter.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page