I'm newly pregnant and nursing my son (2.8 years). I am committed to CLW. My son is very dependent on nursing to fall asleep, seek comfort and physical closeness. He doesn't have any "lovies" or objects that he is attached to.
My nipples are extremely sore, but that is not influencing my desire or ability to nurse when ds asks...however, he is suddenly wanting to nurse ALL day...I'm not feeling well and every time he sees my butt hit the couch he is all over me, wanting milk. He is content to either constantly suck or sip off and on while watching a show, reading a book, etc. He has always been an intense nurser, but this is making me feel so overwhelmed and like I have no control over my own body and space.
I usually accept his request, but lately, I've asked him to wait or let me rest for a minute. He never accepts that response, which makes me feel even more agitated. I know he needs his milk and I want to provide it...The intensity of his needs are just overwhelming right now.
I've offered to cuddle, hold, sit with, etc...him when he asks to nurse and I reject but he doesn't accept any substitute for nursing. He's also nursing ALL night. My supply hasn't yet decreased, but I wonder if he has some intuition or sense that things are (or will be) changing. I am still so early in the pregnancy...I just can't make any sense of why else he is suddenly nursing again, like a newborn.
I don't want to damage our nursing relationship at all. I also don't want to feel so burnt out and aggravated with his insistence. I guess in some ways, that does feel damaging to me. This is a relationship and I want to respect both his and my needs and wants. I realize that it's beyond his capacity to project 15 min in the future and imagine having his request fulfilled, but I feel like, at more than 2 years of age, it shouldn't be detrimental for me to ask for a few minutes while I'm feeling physically ill.
I also think some of this may be boredom. Does anyone have any experience or advice to offer? Is asking for him to wait until I feel better sending him the wrong message about my desire or ability to meet his needs?
My nipples are extremely sore, but that is not influencing my desire or ability to nurse when ds asks...however, he is suddenly wanting to nurse ALL day...I'm not feeling well and every time he sees my butt hit the couch he is all over me, wanting milk. He is content to either constantly suck or sip off and on while watching a show, reading a book, etc. He has always been an intense nurser, but this is making me feel so overwhelmed and like I have no control over my own body and space.
I usually accept his request, but lately, I've asked him to wait or let me rest for a minute. He never accepts that response, which makes me feel even more agitated. I know he needs his milk and I want to provide it...The intensity of his needs are just overwhelming right now.
I've offered to cuddle, hold, sit with, etc...him when he asks to nurse and I reject but he doesn't accept any substitute for nursing. He's also nursing ALL night. My supply hasn't yet decreased, but I wonder if he has some intuition or sense that things are (or will be) changing. I am still so early in the pregnancy...I just can't make any sense of why else he is suddenly nursing again, like a newborn.
I don't want to damage our nursing relationship at all. I also don't want to feel so burnt out and aggravated with his insistence. I guess in some ways, that does feel damaging to me. This is a relationship and I want to respect both his and my needs and wants. I realize that it's beyond his capacity to project 15 min in the future and imagine having his request fulfilled, but I feel like, at more than 2 years of age, it shouldn't be detrimental for me to ask for a few minutes while I'm feeling physically ill.
I also think some of this may be boredom. Does anyone have any experience or advice to offer? Is asking for him to wait until I feel better sending him the wrong message about my desire or ability to meet his needs?
: I've found offering to cuddle just upsets ds. Sometimes he just wants some milk (nice sugary milk at that). A 1/4 or 1/2 cup of chocolate milk is usually a fair exchange for him.
