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Parenting

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Original poster

Breastfeeding with a 2 yr old

9 replies

IcouldstillbeJoseph · 14/12/2012 14:23

DS will be just 2 when DD arrives in a few weeks. I know the sight of me BF his new sister will go down like a poo in a swimming pool.
I am hoping Thomas DVD and biscuits will help but this is hardly a great coping strategy is it? Any tips? Also, it crossed my mind that DS might decide he wants to try.... Has anyone experienced this? Did you let them try, or tell them it's just for babies?

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HappyAsASandboy · 14/12/2012 14:29

Slightly different as I'm feeding my two year old twins, but ...

My two year olds are just about old enough to listen an understand when I explain that I am feeding the other one and that they have to wait. The waiting twin struggles a bit, but if you maintain eye intact, cuddle them and explain in simple, sympathetic words, they get it. Your DS will too.

As to whether to let him try, that's completely up to you! How long ago did you stop feeding? Would you mind if he started again? If you don't want to feed DS, I think he'd understand your 'just for babies' explanation. You could keep a box of special, slightly forbidden (and hence attractive) toys just for when you're feeding the baby?

FridgeBenefits · 14/12/2012 14:30

I let my older dc try some milk on a teaspoon. If trying it became a big issue, in hindsight, I wish I'd just let them have a go - after all, 2 is still so little (but I know I may be alone in this opinion!)
I also made sure we had plenty of books at hand and DVDs etc.
You could also give your ds a special new teddy or doll for him to feed while you're feeding the new baby.

ehmumbo · 14/12/2012 14:35

Try not to worry about something that hasn't happened yet...
My toddler doesn't have a problem with my feeding my 12 week old. I think I did say somehthing about him being a big boy and how milk is for babies and he just accepted that.
also good to talk to your DS about the fact that this will happen and tell him that he used to b.feed when he was a baby too - you could show him some pics of himself feeding if you have any?
A good idea is to get one of those books about having a new baby bro / sis - that way they are prepared for the kind of things that will happen - def good to be prepared and let them ask questions.
I was really worried about all sorts of stuff with my first but he really doesn't seem to mind and LOVE his baby bro to pieces - as long as he can get a cuddle when he needs one - which is fine as babies sleep lots - you'll be amazed!
Good luck with the birth and enjoy your no/2 :)

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Original poster

IcouldstillbeJoseph · 14/12/2012 14:37

I like the idea of seeing DS breastfeeding his comforter

I thought I'd let him try if he wanted to but then I look at his big teeth.....

I stopped BF after 2 months, sadly, so no chance he'll remember anything

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ehmumbo · 14/12/2012 14:55

If he wants to try and you let him then no harm done - i have a couple of friends who b.fed theirs up to 4.... personally i was done by 18months.

vix206 · 15/12/2012 21:15

I've got lots of friends with 2 year olds and newborns and none of the 2 year olds have wanted milk or had any problem with the baby having it. I wouldn't worry

Eskarina · 15/12/2012 21:51

I wouldn't worry about the toddler wanting to latch on. I stopped feeding my 15 mo dd about 10 weeks ago. Since then she has had plenty of opportunity to have another go (milk still not completely gone!) when we've had a bath together or if when she comes in our bed in the morning (the morning feed was the last to go so it would be familiar to her). But she lost interest completely after a week if that.
Saying that I'm 11 weeks pg with dc2 so I may be eating my words in July! Good luck!

Iggly · 16/12/2012 08:40

My ds wanted to try but he only just stopped feeding. I let him or would distract him with toys etc.

Other thing was telling him it was for babies. He tried and couldn't get anything out so that did it for him.

Do give him lots of cuddles instead!

mungojerrie · 16/12/2012 09:24

my DD stopped feeding when I was about 10 weeks pregnant. By the time the baby arrived (she was 2.9) she couldn't remember how to latch on although I did let her try once or twice. We got through those first few weeks as others have said - do whatever works - cbeebies, special toys, lots of reading while baby feeds and 'big kid' treats as well as special cuddles when the baby has finished and is napping.

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