Boob mad 14month old...

6 replies

Marsha101 · 18/10/2013 16:09

Hi.

Have a lovely 14month old boy who is still breastfed. In recent weeks I have returned to work 2 days and since then he is having a feeding frenzy when we are together (probably every 10-20m in the day he grabs my boob and yanks it over the top of my top! He sleeps through the night). He has always fed a lot but this is extreme.

The last thing I want to do is stop feeding as he is obviously not ready and I'm very happy to feed as long as he wants but would like to gently decrease the frequency at least back to pre work amount! It's obviously mainly a comfort thing as sometimes he is happy to just have his hand down my top!

Is open access the best way (and when he's use to the change he will reduce frequency) or do I need to actively distract/offer food or drink etc???

Anyone have any experience of this?

Thanks. M

OP posts:

dickiedoodah · 18/10/2013 18:54

No experience, but watching with interest as i have a 13 month old who is still feeding at night and during the day. I offer her cows milk first or water followed by something creamy like yoghurt but then buckle if none of that works!

Booboostoo · 18/10/2013 19:15

I think it depends on what you feel you can put up with. I did 'don't offer, don't refuse' with DD until she was 2yo but she asked all the time, including every two hours at night! I finally had enough and had to start saying 'no'. I stopped the random feeding all the time and organised the feeds around specific times (for me before and after sleep in bed). I had a couple of weeks of tears but she adjusted. I also made sure I offered drinks and food all the time.

Good luck.

GEM33 · 19/10/2013 14:37

Booboo... How old when she weaned completely? Mine is 2 in dec and just showing no sign of Ever stopping. Every hour at night and nap times and basically whenever I sit down she wants boob. I'm feeling the pressure from society ( my area not pro bf) to stop. I'm happy y if she is happy but wondering should I start saying no but I don't want to hurt her because she loves boob!

Booboostoo · 19/10/2013 17:49

GEM33 she is 2.5mo and still bf although she now has a long one (20mins) in the morning, a quick one before her afternoon nap (5mins and on the odd occassion when I am not there she will go to sleep fine for DP) and a last one before bedtime (10mins).

I know what you mean about other people, I was beginning to feel uncomfortable bfing in public as DD also looks older than her age and now I just avoid telling anyone unless it really comes up.

When I got to 2yo I was just too tired from the constant demands for bf and something had to be done, before that I felt I couldn't stop her but by then enough was enough, so see how you feel.

MistressIggi · 19/10/2013 18:24

As you've said, comfort may be a big part of it - mine uses bf as a way of reconnecting with me when I've been at work, my brother was just the same. So I wouldn't be surprised at extra feeds following the change of you returning to work - but obviously every 20 mins is not sustainable for you!

Original poster

Marsha101 · 19/10/2013 21:38

Thank u for your responses. I will go with it and try a bit of distraction and if it works all good if not boob it is... He is too little to really understand at the mo. Don't offer, don't refuse seems like a good plan long term....although don't often offer as he is so skilled at getting a boob on his own!!!!

Comfort is defo key and if that's what he needs with all the change then that's what he shall get.... Just hopefully not every 20m till he is 3!!!

Thanks all. X

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