Asking a Toddler to Eat Before Nursing? Is That Okay?

[ramama]

So, DD2 is going to be 3 next week and still nurses all the time. And I mean, all the time. Which isn't a problem because she's only three. My problem is that she asks for dinner, does not eat a bite, wants to nurse, and that's it. The food goes to waste, and I despise wastefulness. This wouldn't usually concern me, but she only weighs 25 pounds at 3 years old. I'm unsure if it is CLW to require her to eat before nursing (not every time she wants to nurse, just dinner). My DD1 was always so solidly built that I never worried about this with her, but I do for DD2 because she's so small.

[Swan3]

:

Mine does the same with many of her meals...

[nummies]

We do meals before nursing. I guess I never thought about it being "CLW"-worthy. Just did what I thought was right.

[karina5]

I think that would be a good idea. At that age, a child can comprehend (somewhat) your desire to have her feed off of more than breast milk, and you have good reason for it. So yes, completely all right.

[Ruthla]

I used to insist on my kids eating dinner before nursing- not out of any weight concerns but just because it was physically draining on me to nurse before I ate dinner. When a hungry child is waiting to nurse with food on the table, they tended to eat.

Setting limits on nursing is completely appropriate with a 3yo. Postponing a nursing session "because I just don't feel like nursing right now" is reason enough!

I have a feeling that your child is small just because she's genetically small, and swapping some solid food in place of breastmilk is unlikely to change that. There are plenty of good reasons to encourage her to eat solid food at dinnertime, but it may not have any affect on her weight.

[phathui5]

I have a feeling that your child is small just because she's genetically small, and swapping some solid food in place of breastmilk is unlikely to change that.

I agree. I have a 25 pound three year old myself. On the other hand, I don't see anything wrong with choosing not to nurse at dinnertime and encouraging her to eat some food instead.