How do I deal with a toddler who wants to constantly breastfeed?

[SansaryaAgain]

Cross posting from chat as I'm at my wits end and could use some suggestions.

DS is 18 months. I breastfed on demand for a long time, until I went back to work in March and he started nursery really, but for the past month or so he is always pulling at my top and wanting a feed, regardless of whether he's hungry or not. He has a good appetite for solids and eats his meals with no problem and takes cow's milk at nursery and bedtime.

It got to the point where he'd given up wanting a feed when we came back from nursery and was only feeding early morning or if he got up in the night. But in early July he got really ill for a few days and was off his food but wanting more breastmilk. And since then it's been a constant battle to stop him from wanting boob all the time when I'm around.

I don't know what to do - just stopping is easier said that done because he cries his eyes out if I say no. I don't always give in to his demands but sometimes I do as I can't bear the screaming. Honestly, it's like having a newborn again!

Did you get the answers you needed in chat?

Have you thought about just letting him feed without demur for a week or so? Getting feeding back to a nice thing you share so it's not got all this desperation and resentment around it?

Then when you and he are 'ok' about the feeding, you can start to work on reducing it.

There will be occasional times during that week when it's literally just not possible to feed, but at 18 mths he will just about understand 'not now, later' and you should keep your word.

Hi I had the exact same problem! DS is 19 months and in the last few days I have just refused any feed between sleep/nap time. He feeds all night long which doesn't bother me then I don't feed him till he's due his afternoon nap, sometimes he needs a quick feed after to help wake him up. Then he doesn't get offered again till bedtime.
The first day or so were the hardest but I just used lots of distractions, offered snacks, had busy days organised etc. I couldn't sit down for the first couple of days, I had to constantly keep on the move or he'd come and ask (which was very tiring as he doesn't go down till 10pm and I'm a lone parent with no support bar nursery three mornings a week!). When he lies across my lap looking for a feed I use the sign for 'all done' in front of my boobs then just give him a cuddle instead. I also found that wearing awkward to feed in clothes mean you're less likely to give in!
Good luck!