Need some encouragement to keep my enthusiasm.

[eastkygal]

DD2 is 17 months and the last 2 weeks she has been wild about nursing. Anytime I sit down, or become involved in an activity (even washing dishes or cooking), she runs to me with our nursing pillow hollering "gee, gee". That's what she calls my breasts. If I do stop what I am doing, because mostly I nurse on demand still, she will only nurse a minute or two and quit. Then, 10 minutes later she is doing it again. She walks around the house whining a large part of the day because I can't stop everything and nurse her right in the middle.
I practice CLW and DD1 nursed until 3 years 2 months. I know this is a stage, but I am so weary. Fatigued too from lack of rest and quiet. Any ideas on how I can control this or cope with it? Thanks.

[ewe+lamb]

oh , this is a hard time for you, but you're doing great, it actually sounds a bit like 2 year old molars coming in - could that be possible? Just think of all the wonderful confidence, reassurance and independance that you are giving her and you know already that it won't last for ever, just not so easy when we're right in the middle of things. can you see if you can get a break just even for an hour, get someone to look after the kids and go for a walk and pick flowers or meditate, listen to music or go out for a coffee, just do something that is calming and relaxing for you, it's important to take the time for us mothers when we are giving a lot of ourselves.

[SeekingJoy]

No advice, just .

[velcromom]

I let my ds2 selfwean, and found along the way that if mom is about to break, something has to change! Usually it only takes a small change that brings a little relief gets me over the hump of a nursing aversion phase.

In addition to getting a few moments alone, try getting her outside more, if not in your yard then at a park or playgroup - or if it's not possible to get outside because of the weather (right now it's too hot here during most of the day) then try some novel indoor activities. I just posted about my secret weapon - a giant bowl of dishsoap suds, on a big blanket with lots of spoons and cups. works every time. Other things that give me a few moments of not-nursing are the swing, sand, and water play. If you can pinpoint the times of day when her nursing demands peak and you are worn out, try planning on keeping her very busy with something she can't resist. I know some CLW purists might say that distraction to avoid nursing is the same as don't offer/don't refuse which technically is a weaning technique, etc. but nursing a toddler is a two way street and your needs have to be met too, if you are to be able to continue.

[chocolatefish]

Ditto the pp. DS had a nursing crazy phase at around 18 months, after going down to only a couple of feeds a day it was very hard to suddenly be asked for num nums every single time I sat down, or cuddled him, etc. But it has passed, and he's back down to a couple of feeds a day. Lots of play in the sand pit, pool, park etc helped.

[eastkygal]

Originally Posted by chocolatefish

Ditto the pp. DS had a nursing crazy phase at around 18 months, after going down to only a couple of feeds a day it was very hard to suddenly be asked for num nums every single time I sat down, or cuddled him, etc. But it has passed, and he's back down to a couple of feeds a day. Lots of play in the sand pit, pool, park etc helped.

Yes, this is what DD2 has done. I thought she was about to wean herself a month or so ago. She has also been diagnosed as anemic recently, so I don't know if that has anything to do with this new stage. She follows me around the house and holds to my legs until I can sit and nurse. I feel bad for her because at this point it doesn't seem to be for nutrition because it's every ten minutes and she doesn't nurse for long at all. Not sure what this is?? I'm just a really focused type of person, so I get irritated. That's a personal flaw in this case, and I'm working on that. I'm also thinking I might need to introduce some regular snack times. I'm also working on getting her on a regular sleep schedule. I don't think she gets enough. That might help.

Thanks for the encouragement. I know it will pass at some point.