How can I make my two yo a more "polite" nurser while I am pregnant?

[DeChRi]

My DD will turn 2 in a couple weeks. She is such a finicky nurser. My first DD was an easy nurser and weaned around 4. DD2 is a puller, twister, get on and just want to it there, switch sides every 15 seconds, nurse 3 minutes every 30 minutes, etc.

I tolerated this, but now I am 10 weeks pregnant. Every one of her 100 latch ons and side switches each day is so painful, as is her climbing across my bloated belly. My patience is getting very low and I think she is picking up on it. Part of me just hopes she weans in the next few months, but I dont see that happening. She is not easily destracted. I really would like to not tandem nurse, but if she is still very attched to nursing, I will.

So what limits can I impose here to make it tolerable? I think she is old enough for some nursing manners. Is it cold and cruel to decide what I can and cant do and just stand my ground? I would like to save nursing for naptime, wake-up time, bedtime, and morning. (She is nightweaned now). Is that reasonable? And how do I keep her from freaking out on me?

[megviolet]

I don't think it's cruel or unreasonable to set some rules! In fact, it sounds like you've been more than tolerant. I would definitely make firm boundaries for her for how she has to behave while she's nursing. At 2, she should be able to understand a warning and consequence, like if she pulls or wiggles too much then you stop nursing.
It's not always the popular opinion, but i believe that toddler do need limits and boundaries set and enforced for them.. without them they will keep pushing and never know what is allowed or acceptable. She needs to know now that she has to be gentle and respect your body, she is old enough to get the concept.
My DD is not a considerate nurser either, so i totally know where you're coming from. Sometimes i really wish she would be happy to wean herself (she's 28months and i'm 6weeks pregnant) but like you i probably will tandem nurse if she really seems like she's not ready to stop nursing yet.
I've been really firm with her about being nice to me when we're nursing. I stop nursing sessions when she breaks the rules (pulling, kicking me, etc) so now it only takes a warning for her to go back to nursing nicely.

Best wishes to you

[DeChRi]

Thanks Megviolet. :-) I think you are right. I am also finding that as my tummy is just starting to pop out, the monkey butting about is not working for me. Also, this morning she was nursing and said...mama, no milk! So maybe that coupled with some gentle boundries will convince her that she would rather be playing.

[TXmom2]

Originally Posted by DeChRi

Thanks Megviolet. :-) I think you are right. I am also finding that as my tummy is just starting to pop out, the monkey butting about is not working for me. Also, this morning she was nursing and said...mama, no milk! So maybe that coupled with some gentle boundries will convince her that she would rather be playing.

Just wondering...could your supply have dropped? The "no milk" comment combined with the twisting, switching sides, etc...