Weaned toddler wanting to bf again on arrival of new baby?

[moonstorm]

Ok the baby's not here yet, but I think things are going that way. Ds finished bf-ing at Christmas when he was just over 2 years. He didn't seem to worry about finishing, he essentially self-weaned.

Now the baby's on the way, he is getting more and more interested in milk and feeding again (friends are having babies and he is fascinated by them getting milk). I have always told him the milk's gone now, and he is satisfied, but he also says that he could drink the milk if it was there...

So I am thinking about what happens when the baby arrives and wondered about other's experiences. I didn't really want to tandem feed, but have no issues about letting him feed again. I just don't want him to be jealous when the baby feeds, and wonder about him taking food from the baby.

I'd let him, I think. (I'm thinking this might arise with us too.) He'll most likely just try it once or twice. Probably not a question of him taking food from the baby, your supply should respond to the demand?
Am not an expert at all though, hope you get some useful other responses, subbing to see them...

When my toddlers have asked for milk when I've been breastfeeding a baby. I say 'milk is for babies' and they've just accepted it and not asked again.

My friend stopped feeding her DD at 2.5 years. When she had another baby, the DD (now 3) asked for milk and my friend let her. It then became a huge struggle to stop her feeding and she only managed it by really putting her foot down when she was 4. My friend really regretted letting her do it.

If it's not too big an issue for you I'd let your DS have a go if he wants to. He might have lost the knack of latching on by now and anyway colostrum might taste different and put him off.

If he's not in the habit of feeding he's not really likely to want to BF lots is he?

I'd rather let him try BF now and then than have him feeling left out and resentful because your new baby can have something he really wants and associates with comfort from you but isn't allowed.

My dd self-weaned herself a couple of days before ds arrived (which surprised me - was expecting to tandem feed) and has asked for milk on and off. I've let her and she's lost interest very quickly (last time she told me she though it was boring and that milk from the fridge tasted better ). You could try offering him some on your finger maybe?

Thanks for your replies. I know I'll have to see how it goes, just interesting to see what others have done. Maybe I can restrict it to only certain times of the day, so he knows he can have some, but that it's not all the time.