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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

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Original poster

SO how do you stop breastfeeding a clingy 2 year old?

70 replies

popsycal · 08/04/2007 15:10

He has a morning and night time feed and an occasional one before or after a nap (I usually try distracting him from having this)

He would be distraught with 'cold turkey' - he is very much still into his feeding. He is going through a stage of demanding it all of the time and, coupled with tantrums, and still poor sleep, I think I I just about ready for him to stop.

I try to do the 'don't offer' thing already.

How do you cope with the meltdowns when you stop?

OP posts:

mcnoodle · 08/04/2007 21:06

This is a great thread. Am still feeding ds (2 years) and don't know anyone else in rl who does. Know that my parents and pil think it's weird (in fact not sure they know I still do). I don't feed in public, because ds isn't bothered about it but know that I would feel a bit hot under te=he collar if I did. Stupid to feel like that given that we're not hurting anyone.

Good to know that others have the same doubts and that there is support here for those who want to carry on.

Ds currently going through faze of feeding whilst brumming matchbox car between my boobs. not exactly relaxing but he is in seventh heaven

FrannyandZooey · 08/04/2007 21:08

Mcnoodle I have breastfed a small toy boat and a furry panda in my time

ds likes to feed his toys too and his latch has improved no end He used to do it via his belly button but I saw him last week with a plastic baby up his jumper

maximummummy · 08/04/2007 21:22

i just wanted to say - when you truly want to stop breastfeeding you will just do it.The time will be right and you'll just know . . . .having said that your toddler may not agree!!!!

Tatties · 08/04/2007 21:22

Mcnoodle, my ds also likes giving his trains share when he is having a feed...

Popsy, I agree with those who are saying "you don't!" Ds has just turned 2, and I wouldn't have a clue how to wean him if I wanted to. I think carry on if it makes any aspects of your life at all easier. Your ds at his bedtime feed sounds GORGEOUS, btw Ds signs some things too and it is soooo cute.

Original poster

popsycal · 08/04/2007 21:30

ds2 has just started 'feeding' his toys including cars, bears, shoes and spoons . He pulls his top up, points to his chest and shouts 'my juice' then makes eating sounds.

You know. I am just thinking here. All this return to demanding to be fed all the time has coincided with a big spurt in his speech. It was pretty much one word speech until about 4-6 weeks ago and now it is 'mini' sentences of sorts. Perhaps he is asking more because he 'can'!

OP posts:

mcnoodle · 08/04/2007 21:31

You see, if I hadn't come on MN I would've thought I was all alone with ds, the toy car, the toy motorbike, teddy and "beebees". Now I am reassured that I'm not the only one who looks like she's feeding in some kind of matchbox war zone

FrannyandZooey · 08/04/2007 21:38

Popsy the other possibility is that he is reverting to more babyish behaviour just before or during a huge developmental leap. This is quite typical and can often be observed - children often start waking more just as they are learning to walk, for instance.

FrannyandZooey · 08/04/2007 21:38

Mcnoodle love the matchbox war zone

Original poster

popsycal · 08/04/2007 21:41

franny - the more I think about it, the more I think that the two may be linked. Everyone has commented recently and the developmental difference, particularly in the last month. Looks as though I am going to ride the storm

OP posts:

Aloha · 08/04/2007 21:43

I haven't had meltdowns, just asking, and the key is to get your dh/dp to do the trigger points - ie getting up and going to sleep.
I am stopping feeding my 2.2 year old. Yes it is bittersweet as she will be my last child (SOB!) but I want to stop so have to be brave.

FrannyandZooey · 08/04/2007 21:43

Yay, you can do it
we are here, come and have a whinge when you want to

FrannyandZooey · 08/04/2007 21:44

sorry cross posts, my comments were to popsy

Boco · 08/04/2007 22:30

My dd has a doll that she's called sweety-lady-pop, and she regularly breastfeeds her. She has one at my mums house that she calls Tony and is almost as big as her, - watching her bf Tony is a little bizarre. Tonight when i put her to bed she gave her giraffe money box a quick bf too.

I think she's having a little regress too - she was on the verge of giving up nappies, she'd got really excited about using a potty and having knickers, and suddenly she changed her mind, told me she's not a little girl she's a baby, she needs bf and wants nappies. I'm leaving the potties as theirs no rush, i'm wondering if she's having a bit of a stress about things moving faster than she'd like.

Boco · 08/04/2007 22:31

there's not theirs. Shocking.

mcnoodle · 08/04/2007 22:47

Haven't reached the stage where they try to feed everything. Where will it end? Do they try and bf cars and trees and diggers?

Will have to carry on now as this sounds truly hilarious

mcnoodle · 08/04/2007 22:48

Tony

Original poster

popsycal · 09/04/2007 07:13

ds2 is currently sitting on the bed next to me try to feed his toothbrush

OP posts:

Original poster

popsycal · 09/04/2007 21:17

I just wanted to come back to this and say thank you again to everyone who has taken time to offer advice. Today, I decided to have a more positive approach to it all. I have been getting very wound up by his constant asking and feeling stressed and short tempered. During the night when he woke, I decided that I wouldn't let myself get riled. I whispered so quietly, and although he woke twice and was then awake for the day at 5ish (pretty standard here), we had a lovely half hour in bed listening to the birds....all birds are 'ducks' to ds2 - DH was not so appreciative of the repeated 'Daddy! Duck! DAddy! More duck!) at 5:30

DS2 began the day asking to be fed lots and lots but i just calmly said ' we will later but lets go and do X rigth now'
By mid-afternoon it had died down.

Long nap for him (and, oddly, for ds1!!) so a strategic late night (8:15). Fed downstairs but he always likes more in bed but today he said 'no juice baba night night' and promptly cuddled his purple car and went to sleep

OP posts:

liger · 11/09/2007 16:46

Popsycal, Boco - what happened next?? I would love to hear the rest of the story! I hope its ok to revive an old thread?

I just found this thread after having a miserable time getting my ds to sleep and really feeling like I didn't want to continue bf any longer. Ds is 2.4, and bf is just associated with sleep - which is good in some ways but a pain in others. I've haven't had the best day so maybe I was less tolerant, and i knew Mumsnet would have me thinking I will just keep going ( which reading this thread almost has) but I am dying to here what has happened with you two since April ...????

Boco · 11/09/2007 18:15

Hello, well, since April, nothing has really changed! I actually just felt a bit more chilled out about it, and not in such a hurry to stop just because i felt like i should. So, still going, but gradually dd is not asking for it - so i don't offer, and we can go a couple of nights without. I think she'll stop within a couple of months, but i'm just more relaxed about her leading that.

I think you just need to trust how you feel about it. Good luck

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