Toddler breastfeeding acting very baby like

[penguinssmell]

My DD is coming up to 2 and still Bf a lot. She cries a lot and asks for B f when out at say a playgroup. I don't feed at these groups, as she's had a feed before and can honestly go for a 90 mins without or by having some water. She gets very stroppy and it's also her way to get to sleep for naps. I just wonder whether I'm babying her too much? I do understand it's a comfort, but I just wondered if you extended Bf did stopping make them grow up a bit? For example she's potty trained already, but very baby like in how she acts. I have an DS who fed to 2 also, then I stopped him, but he had really reduced himself by then and it was easy. There's quite a big age gap so I find some bits blur.

I found my DD was less easily distracted than my DS who could easily be distracted with a biscuit.

She's still very young though @penguinssmell, I don't think there's anything wrong with feeding her giving her the comfort she needs

Sorry just spotted your username @penguinssmell. I can imagine that they do!

I personally stopped feeding in public at 18 months.

We only have milk at home was my response and wore clothes that were far less accessible.

At 2 they really don't understand why the world doesn't revovle around what they want.

No milk but you can have a cuddle if you want one is another good phrase. Gives that comfort.

For me my relationship with bf and the kids changed as they got older. They aren’t little babies, they don’t need BF on demand and can have food/drinks. I was strictly morning feed, pre nap and before bed, otherwise no feeding. They quickly got used to that. I then dropped the lunchtime feed then morning until it was a pre bed feed which they both dropped around 2.5. Bf itself won’t cause a child to behave like a baby but she is an age where you can and should set boundaries and feeding (whether breast, bottle, food) is part of that in my opinion!

I would just stop the breastfeeding at 2. No need for it whatsoever. Sounds like its causing problems. But up to you. Cut it down to just before bed time then drop it altogether and avoid all this angst. Sounds like you managed fine with your DS. Id just do the same again.

My daughter self-weaned at 16 months but my son went until 3 and I stopped him. I had already restricted time and place (at home on the sofa, before going to sleep and when waking up only) and it had been years since he fell asleep feeding. I don’t think it made any difference to his maturity.

They're all different. My first was quite like this at 2 but my second was much less bothered about bf and was right down to bedtime and nap time only. I stopped feeding him just before he was 3 as I was pregnant and couldn't stand the sensation any more. My eldest fed until he self weaned aged 4.

Breastfeeding won't stop her from growing up and mine weren't potty trained at that age so I think that's pretty good going! She'll get there in her own time, don't worry.

You’re not “babying “ her at all
2 is no age

Two of my three were / are being breastfed until and beyond 4, albeit now only at bedtime and if a bit unwell. Being breastfed beyond 2 is no barometer of inability to function in other regards or missing milestones etc. That’s actually a potentially really damaging analogy.

I don't think being babied and breastfeeding are directly related. DS breastfed until way after 3 and he was always very mature and calm.

Toddlers can be demanding and sulky at times, but I don't think it's related to feeding. But also choose to stop whenever you want to