My recently hospitalized ds is obsessed!! need reassurance

[Harmony08]

Hello,

My 16 month old son just had a serious stomach virus that lasted almost a week and had us in the hospital for three nights. It was obviously very traumatic for all of us. When he began to recover in the hospital he nursed nonstop. I am serious without stopping!!! Now this is our second day home and he wants to nurse all the time. I think part of it is that he was severely dehydrated and his body is probably rebalancing itself and what is better than mama milk. I think the other part is emotional. My instinct is not to get worked up about it and just nurse on demand and see how it goes. Maybe he will go back to normal as this event gets a little farther away from us. I just need reassurance I guess. I feel better already after writing this. I guess I can just hear other people thinking he is "getting away with something". Maybe this is silly. Yeah, it is probably silly.

We had just gotten to a place where he only nursed at naps and night time and maybe another time or two during the day. He had even started falling asleep without nursing. Then this hit and it is like he is a newborn.

[pbjmama]

I agree, he just needs it now because he was sick and probably has some fears. I bet he will keep it going for a few days up to a couple of weeks and then slow down again. I think re-balancing is the perfect word. He probably is just plain hungry too, I bet he lost some weight while sick.

[Harmony08]

Thanks pbjmama! Your right I didn't actually think in terms of fear but yeah, makes sense.

[MeepyCat]

Your instinct sounds dead on to me, mama. He's probably still recovering, breast milk is very easy to digest, and mama snuggles are a key treatment for nearly everything that ails a kid. You're doing everything right by nursing on demand, and anyone who judges you badly for it is mistaken.

Be warned though - breastmilk poop in a kid that age can be epic. This is not the week to run errands with just a few spare diapers in your purse.

[Emmery'sMom]

He's still a baby, and one who has had a rather traumatic hospital stay. Nothing is more comforting than being at mom's breast, and I'm sure it's helping him process everything he went through over the past few days.

[ps4624]

I would park myself on the couch, whip out a boob and expect to be there for a while! He's probably really needing to snuggle in and get his emotional and physical well being back in sync. He's lucky he's got such a sensitive mama!

[PatioGardener]

I am so happy to hear that you guys are at home now and your baby is nursing up a storm. He knows what he needs and you are providing it to him - so lovely! This too will pass, and your readiness to nurse him when he needs it will only help him to get better and to feel safe and secure and right with the world. Well done, Mama!

[Letitia]

When my daughter was 16 months old, our son was born. I didn't give birth to him, did to her, and she was still breastfeeding. His arrival was a BIG trauma for her. Very different from being in the hospital, but nevertheless a trauma. She also starting nursing nonstop, and I don't really remember how long it went on. I just let her do it at her pace. 16 months is so little, and it's so wonderful to be able to provide that kind of reassurance and security to them.

[Harmony08]

Oh thank you everyone! Just what I needed to hear. I did feel like I was doing the right thing but it feels so good to hear it from all of you. I am very touched by your support. He is still a baby. I have never been through something like what he went through. It hurts me to think of the pain and fear he went through. It is hard with one so little because he can't tell me about it. I wish we could talk about it but we can't really. I guess his way of healing is to snuggle and nurse. Oh my baby.