Confused by 14 month old dd2's breastfeeding antics.

[suiledonne]

DD2 suddenly stopped breastfeeding during the day at around 8 months old and could not be pursuaded to start again. She was eating healthily, still feeding at night and having the occasional bottle of formula so I was fine with it.

Over the last few weeks she has been latching on more and more at night to the point where I am exhausted. Her latch is very bad now and can be quite painful. I have tried to fix it but am getting no where.

She is really only on the nipple most of the time and the feeds are short so doubt she is getting much milk.

In a strange turn of events she has started asking for feeds in the day now too, at times when I am sure she is not hungry and it is very difficult to distract her.

After 6 months I really don't want to go back to full time breastfeeding but don't want to upset her either.

I would like to reduce the number of night feeds too.

Has anyone any advice on how to handle this?

I am tired and not really thinking clearly.

Thanks

bump

Hi, suiledonne. I breastfed both my boys until they were well over a year old. I know it's hard to think straight when you are tired !

Have you started going to any new activities with your DD?. Is she feeling insecure about anything? Or perhaps just starting to exert her authority, as toddlers do!! She sounds like she is enjoying the comfort of the breast, rather than getting loads of milk.

My eldest started to lift my top up in public when he was 17 months old! and that's when I decided to stop feeding him. I had wanted to continue with morning or evening feeds, but it was all or nothing with him. As he didn't have a dummy for reassurance, I gave him one of my soft old nightshirts for bedtime snuggling and then a lovely soft bear. Perhaps you could try a cuddly toy with your daughter, to give her something soothing.If you do decide to refuse the breast, it might be easier for her if you say no to all feeds rather than yes sometimes and no sometimes - little children find this quite confusing and upsetting, in my experience.

It might help if someone else can put her to bed, so she isn't tortured by the sight of the breast she can't have! And also, in the night, someone else settle her if she wakes.

I know this is hard... but really it's a personal choice. You have to decide what YOU want to do, she relies on you to know what's best for her. And these are only my opinions and experiences, you must do what is best for you and your daughter.

I hope this helps, I am sending you lots of sympathy for the lack of sleep, my eldest woke every hour until he was 5 months! It's like torture, I know... Good luck x

Thanks MRSK. You make a lot of sense.

She started walking at Christmas and this new behaviour has all started since then.

Thinking about it I am giving her a bit more independence now she is walking so maybe she feels ignored and wants one to one attention that breastfeeding guarantees.

I had PND on DD1 and was over the top with her and she is still very clingy at nearly 4 so I want to be less helicopterish (i think this is the phrase I have seen on here) with dd2 as she seems more bubbly and adventurous.

Fear I have made dd1 nervous and don't want the same for dd2.