My 4yo just tried to breastfeed.

[mellongoose]

DD was breastfed only until about 4 and a half months. Combi fed from 10 weeks. She's now 4 and I'm pregnant again. She knows there is a baby coming and seems happy enough.

This morning she jumped into bed with me for a cuddle. The next thing I know she was sucking on my nipple. Through clothes. I asked her to stop and she did it again. This time (I'm ashamed to say) I got cross and told her to stop firmly. At which point she cried.

I'm sorry but it felt weird and not right. I think I was a bit shocked. Can anyone shed any light on what happened and how to handle it better if she does it again. Please be gentle. DH reckons she can smell a change and that it would feel natural for her.

Hopeful bump.

Just say "Big girls don't drink breast milk" or "Please don't touch my breast/suck my clothes"
Does she have a baby doll that she can pretend to breast feed?

I remember doing this when I was about your DD's age. It was a vague memory of the old connection and an awareness of mother/baby relationship.. maybe wanting to be comforted and babied (may have been around the time my parents divorced) My mother told me not to (in a surprised but not angry way) and I remember feeling embarrassed and aware I had crossed a boundary.. which was unsettling. I think that's why I remember it many years later and maybe why your DD cried?

I don't think it is abnormal or unusual.. some mothers breastfeed till this age anyway. I think your hunch that she senses a change is right. She wants to be your baby still, and that's what she thinks babies do. Not sure if there is much you can or need to do about it as she probably won't try again but maybe just reassure her you love her etc etc.

I also remember giving my parents long kisses.. i.e pressing face against theirs hard, to replicate snogging (!) as this seemed to be how people show love. A similar misinterpretation..

DD1 asked to do this when I had a newborn, I told her only babies know how to suck right to get the milk but she could try if she likes. Gave a couple of half hearted sucks and agreed it was only for babies.

Don’t make a thing of it and I’m sure it won’t happen again.