2yr old with sudden increase in feeds - normal?

[Caz10]

DD has just turned 2, I went back to work when she was 9mths so pretty much dropped day time feeds then. Definitely from 1yr on she was pretty much only feeding morning and night, also before and/or after afternoon naps at weekends and holidays. She copes really well with the switch between breast/bottle and happily takes a bottle from me too.

Anyway in the past few weeks she seems to have gone boob crazy! I work 4 days so she doesn't get the chance then, but most days she is feeding twice in the morning when she gets up, quite often asks before I go to work, then again when I come home. She keeps insisting I share her bath and wants to feed then too, and then again before bed! Now I don't mind at all, but I really thought we might be winding down over the next few months, not ramping it up!

I'm pretty sure it is psychological/emotional rather than a physical need - or maybe I am wrong, would welcome any ideas! - but not sure why? Nothing has changed in our lives, no upheaval. Is being 2 just an upheaval in itself?!

As I said, not a problem, but just wondered what is going on! My poor boobs feel quite overworked and I don't want to start feeling overwhelmed/irritated by it.

breastfeeding at two, your very brave!

maybe it's a sign to stop?

at carocaro.

Is there such a thing as a growth spurt at this stage? Just an idea?

Maybe she's just realised it's a way to get more close mummy time and is enjoying it at the moment? Hmm, not really sure apart from that. Sure someone else will be along with better ideas soon

my one year old is feeding more too, wondered if it might be upping the cals / winter.

ive been eating more too

I think you may have hit it on the head when you wonder if turning 2 is an upheaval in itself.

My ds always fed a lot at that age, but there were always times when he seemed to feed like a newborn. I reckon it was when he hit a developmental stage, but I was only guessing of course!

And co-incidentally, my 4yo ds is currently requesting to nurse more often than usual, but we have all sorts of stuff going on (new baby due in 10wks) so it's no wonder really!

I thought we would be winding down around 2 as well btw.......

Oh hadn't thought re feeding up for winter! She's had the normal winter cough/cold too, so I guess that would make her a bit more cuddly too.

Her speech has all of a sudden come on leaps and bounds, so I did wonder re a developmental stage. It will be, of course, just a phase like every other I suppose. I'm more curious than bothered really.

Thank you for ideas and reassurance!

And for another idea, is she teething at all - maybe her molars coming through? I've always tended to find that mine want to feed more when they have one on the way.

Oh - hadn't thought re teeth - that would account for the stinky terrible nappies too...durrr...thank you!

My two year old is also very "booby" at times - usually minor illness or (last few) teething bits and bats. It passes quite quickly. Sometimes she asks if she is bored, in which case we do something else instead. Haha - she asks quite a bit if I am MNing . I am happy to carry on and see how things go.

at the idea "it's time to give up" (why contribute to a discussion about strategies for managing/understanding when you seem opposed to the whole idea of term feeding??)

My older DC had given up by this stage and coping with the 2 yo meltdowns was a nightmare - this time, the boob really is the magic bullet. I don't feed every time she asks, and she often won't if we are busy with other stuff or I am away from her, but it is a bloody quick, free, calorie-burning way to sort her out when she has fallen over/had a fight with a sibling and come out the wrong side/just generally found she can't cope with being 2 etc...

I talk to DD about how it is frustrating if she expects to feed every time I sit down and as she is 2 she understands - not saying she is very reasonable about it but she does understand.

Hope you get some respite

yup. 2. Ds2 fed fed fed at that age. DS1 had weaned from the breast by then and was really unsettled so I'm sure it was just an age thing.
FWIW I found that DS2 still nursing (2.6) has meant the 'terrible Twos' have been a lot easier not really terrible at all. I think it helps them make sense of the world and they have a safe haven to come back to when everything is a bit too much.

"I think it helps them make sense of the world and they have a safe haven to come back to when everything is a bit too much."

WoTmania that is lovely, and I hope that is the reason for the renewed interest! It certainly does seem to have the effect of an instant personality transplant when she's in a paddy!

DD's also been increasing feeds recently, I've put it down to the upheaval of being two as well as teething her 2 year molars. I'm also due with DD2 in 10 weeks and I think she's sensing change. She's done this before and cut back down again by herself so I'm just going with the flow. I do bargain with her sometimes to finish quicker and often she's happy to stop. That's more to do with pg fidgetiness though!

I agree that it makes the terrible twos much easier. In fact, we had no terrible twos with ds. He is starting to tantrum a bit now (he's 4) but it's much easier to reason with him and smooth things over, and when he's really upset, he sobs "can I have milk to calm me down please". He tells me that milk makes him feel happy - every time. That must be very comforting for him I think.

thank you Caz10
Mawbroon - DS2 says 'I a bit upset. I crying. Give me milk...I crying' It's so cute I can never deny him milk when he's like that.