Autism and stopping a toddler breast 'feeding'

[NameChangingDancer]

My DD is just turned 2yrs old. She started to talk early and is verbal. 4-5 word sentences.

She climbs everything. She seems impervious to pain (she will register shock, for example if she falls, but doesn't recognise when she walks into stinging nettles). She didn't play peekaboo until 12months and only maybe 2-3 months ago started to give kisses.

She is such hard work. We have no family support on either side and I'm exhausted. She doesn't go to sleep until 9pm and will wake in the night. She is at nursery but I haven't dared ask them if they think she is NT because I'm not ready to hear an answer.

My biggest red flag is I can't stop her breastfeeding. I stopped her, I sent her away with her Dad for a week. When she came back the milk had dried up but she hadn't forgotten how to latch and she just went straight back to it. I tried again, three weeks with 2 sports bra and the exact same thing - no milk but continuing to latch and suck like a dummy. Even if I police my clothes and wear a sports bra at all times, she is clawing at me and weeping when denied.

I don't know what I'm hoping to get from this thread. A hand hold? Advice? Particularly about how to stop the breast-dummy thing. The level of force required to stop her seems disproportionate. She is only 2. Everything is going to get harder before it gets better, isn't it?

Has she got a cuddly toy that she gets comfort from? Use that or introduce one and give both her and it cuddles every time she wants to feed to try to transfer her need for comfort and connection. Maybe search online for books for toddlers about stopping feeding? Read it regularly so the idea sinks in. It's a huge transition so be kind and consistent to you both!

Hi Op, I have an almost 3 year old who is awaiting an appointment for assessment for possible autism. I bf him until just before 2... I put plasters on my nipples and said they were broken but he could still have a cuddle. He understood and was actually fine. I wore plasters for a few weeks until he was used to it. He will still ask for a 'boob cuddle' sometimes at bed time or if he's especially upset, but no latching or attempts to feed and I'll only do it at home. He does have a little teddy that helps, he wasn't really attached to a comforter or dummy or anything until he suddenly took to a bunny teddy about a year ago.

My ds is autistic, non verbal and 7 now. Stopped BF around 1 He tried to latch on to me fairly recently. He constantly tries to put his hand in my top, worse when he is upset of ill. It is a comfort for him but I have been trying to discourage it for years with no success.

I have similar I can’t stop feeding my 2 year old who is autistic she’s absolutely obsessed and it’s her go to for all comfort or if she’s overwhelmed she’s also over the 99th centile for weight she doesnt eat that many calories it’s mostly coming from breastmilk. Our gp has said don’t worry the benefits of breastmilk for her health and the benefits of the calming aspect for her asd outweighs any issues from being overweight currently

Thank you for the suggestion but I think maybe the plasters sound like they are only doing the job of the sports bra? She couldn't get at the nipple through a bra but she also didn't forget and leaving plasters or a sports bra on longer-term isn't a comfy option.

I will try the teddy option.

Itsonlyagame and Treedecofun thank you. I feel a bit less crazy that this is others experience too. The constant touching and wanting to fiddle with nipples is something my daughter does as well.

Treedecofun, I'm glad you have a supportive GP.