My 16 month old DD seems to be really done with nursing. I've been quite frustrated lately, and am looking for advice.
DD and I have had a great nursing relationship. We exclusively nursed for the first 6 months of life, and started solids when she started grabbing food fromus and stuffing it in her mouth. She's been really big into solid food ever since she began. Around 9 months though, she started losing interest in nursing. She still nursed quite frequently, it was just that, I could tell she wasn't as into it anymore. We did breastmilk only (no formula/cow's milk) until 1 year. Around the 1 year mark, I noticed that it was a rare day I could get her to nurse during the day. She was just so busy, no matter what I did (dark room, no distractions, etc) she just didn't want to nurse in the daytime. At this point I stopped pumping at work (I work full time) and we started nursing only morning and before bed. This continued until 15 months.
A couple of things happened the end of last month. First, she started getting molars. Ow! I know her teeth have been owy since the end of January. Second, I was away on a trip for 8 days. She didn't nurse my first two days home, but then started dreamfeeding, and then morning nursing after a few days, so we seemed to re-establish our nursing. However, she won't nurse at night before bed now, but crys until I give her a bottle.
When she won't nurse, it usually goes like this - its a normal nursing time, I will say, "do you want to nurse" and make the "nurse" sign. She will emphatically shake her head, say "No!" and either walk/turn away or ignore me. She's not exactly subtle!
I'd say this is a nursing strike (which we've negotiated successfully before) because of being away and teething, except she still nurses in the morning about 2/3s of the time. I've been trying to dreamfeed her, but even in her almost dead to the world state, she'll shake her head and turn away. If it wasn't so frustrating, it would almost be funny!
So, do you think this is a nursing strike, and if so, what should I do? Or, do you think this is her weaning, and I should just do the occasional morning nursing and leave it be? I wanted to do CLW, but thought it would be at least another year or so. Yet, DD makes it crystal clear that she doesn't want to nurse. I am feeling really frustrated (and occasionally angry
) and I don't want these nursing frustrations to impact our otherwise great relationship. On the other hand, if there is something else I should be doing that I am not, I don't want to diddle around until its too late and I have no supply left. On the other hand (I need three hands now) if she really is done, I want to respect what she wants. She's a very independent little toddler, and not respecting her wishes is treated as a grave indignity!
Ok, I've rambled along long enough - TIA for advice/encouragement!
DD and I have had a great nursing relationship. We exclusively nursed for the first 6 months of life, and started solids when she started grabbing food fromus and stuffing it in her mouth. She's been really big into solid food ever since she began. Around 9 months though, she started losing interest in nursing. She still nursed quite frequently, it was just that, I could tell she wasn't as into it anymore. We did breastmilk only (no formula/cow's milk) until 1 year. Around the 1 year mark, I noticed that it was a rare day I could get her to nurse during the day. She was just so busy, no matter what I did (dark room, no distractions, etc) she just didn't want to nurse in the daytime. At this point I stopped pumping at work (I work full time) and we started nursing only morning and before bed. This continued until 15 months.
A couple of things happened the end of last month. First, she started getting molars. Ow! I know her teeth have been owy since the end of January. Second, I was away on a trip for 8 days. She didn't nurse my first two days home, but then started dreamfeeding, and then morning nursing after a few days, so we seemed to re-establish our nursing. However, she won't nurse at night before bed now, but crys until I give her a bottle.
When she won't nurse, it usually goes like this - its a normal nursing time, I will say, "do you want to nurse" and make the "nurse" sign. She will emphatically shake her head, say "No!" and either walk/turn away or ignore me. She's not exactly subtle!
I'd say this is a nursing strike (which we've negotiated successfully before) because of being away and teething, except she still nurses in the morning about 2/3s of the time. I've been trying to dreamfeed her, but even in her almost dead to the world state, she'll shake her head and turn away. If it wasn't so frustrating, it would almost be funny!
So, do you think this is a nursing strike, and if so, what should I do? Or, do you think this is her weaning, and I should just do the occasional morning nursing and leave it be? I wanted to do CLW, but thought it would be at least another year or so. Yet, DD makes it crystal clear that she doesn't want to nurse. I am feeling really frustrated (and occasionally angry
) and I don't want these nursing frustrations to impact our otherwise great relationship. On the other hand, if there is something else I should be doing that I am not, I don't want to diddle around until its too late and I have no supply left. On the other hand (I need three hands now) if she really is done, I want to respect what she wants. She's a very independent little toddler, and not respecting her wishes is treated as a grave indignity!Ok, I've rambled along long enough - TIA for advice/encouragement!
I'll offer to nurse in the morning as usual, and see what happens.
:
