Breastfeeding a fussy toddler

[chickenmama]

Hi, I'm hoping to get some advice from mums who have bf toddlers...

My dd has always been very happy bfing, she wasn't interested in solids before a year and now, at 21 months, is a very fussy eater. Whenever she's hungry she asks for booboo, and I have to offer her something else. Sometimes she takes it, other times she insists on a feed. Her diet consists mainly of readybrek, organix oat bars and crisps, cheese, fromage frais, and some fruits (eg oranges, strawberries, occasionally banana). I offer her whatever I'm eating, usually give her some on a plate at dinner time (which never ever gets touched) but she just refuses to eat.

Does anyone have any thoughts on where to go from here? Shes a very clingy baby, constantly asking for cuddles, so I don't want to say no to feeds and upset her but I'm worried she isn't eating like she should be.

Should I refuse to bfeed her during the day (eg limit to morning, nap and bedtime feeds), or is ok for her to be almost exclusively bfing (some days she will eat almost nothing) at her age?? Will she grow out of the fussiness or should I be concerned?

i did exactly same as you with dd1 (who i fed till she was 2 3/4) and she grew out of the fussyness it was very tireing feeding all the time but if you are happy doing it then carry on i would possibly limit feeds as you say morning nap and bedtime and you will find she will start to eat even though it may seem to take forever xx
i am now doing this with dd2 who is 11 months will eat porridge in the morn and snack on bits but nothing really and im of the opinion that if she is hungry she will eat her high chair was full tonight sprouts carrots and stuff she ate 2 sprouts and left the rest and then had loads of milk from me
if your baby is still growing and putting weight on then try not to worry you sound like your doing fine

Ooh it's a tricky one, but personally I would refuse some of her feeds to encourage her to eat better. I did this with my dd at 11 months, as she wasn't eating at all, but even now, aged 2, she would happily have boo-boo all day long if I let her. At the moment I'm limiting her to about 4 or 5 feeds a day, and I offer 3 meals plus snacks. She rarely eats much/any breakfast, lunch varies, but dinner is usually good if she's not eaten at lunchtime. She also loves to eat breadsticks and raisins as snacks.

Try to make sure that the feeds that you do give her are not too close to meal times either.

She might hold out for a few days, but stick with it and she will soon get hungry enough that she realises that she has no option but to eat the solids on offer.