Nursing in public and nursing to sleep

[livinlovinlaughin]

My DS likes to nurse frequently for a very short time all day. This is not a problem at home. When we are out it makes it hard. I have tried offering a snack or drink but he points to my chest, puts him mouth to my chest and whines. This is a little embarrasing depending on who is around. I don't have much of a problem with nursing in public but I am getting a little more uncomfortable with his frequent nursing and his actions now that he is getting older. My mom has never really supported toddler nursing so it makese uncomfortable when we are around her and he does this. (I think she would be more accepting if I show her some things about why it is so good) I do not want to tell DS no or make it a bad experience. Any tips for what to do when we are away from home?

My other question...DH and I are very family oriented. We have not been out without DS more than 3 times. I nurse DS to sleep and over night if he needs/wants. I plan to CLW. Does this mean DH and I will not have a night out until we have weaned or am I missing something?

[ps4624]

[lisavark]

I also nurse DD to sleep (she's 27 months) and many times throughout the night, but DH and I go out every Friday night without her. I really need that for my sanity! My mom watches her and tries to put her to sleep by rocking her, reading, doing quiet activities, etc. It has worked a few times, but usually DD just stays up till we get back. If she seems really tired and really wants me then my mom calls us and we come home, but that rarely happens now. DD LOVES grandma so she stays happy with her even when she's tired! I hate letting her stay up late every Friday, but I haven't figured out any other good option.

My mom is 100% supportive of child-led weaning (she actually gives me a hard time for setting ANY limits on breastfeeding EVER ) and is absolutely against DD crying at all, ever. I don't think it would work for us to go out with DD without having a caregiver who completely agrees with our philosophy.

Also, I can't remember if we ever tried this, but I do remember thinking at one point it might be easier to get a morning away instead of an evening. Maybe that would be easier for you? If you have a babysitter or family member who DS enjoys, you could leave after he's just nursed on a Saturday morning and go out for breakfast with your DH. Even if your DS usually nurses every hour when you're home, he'll probably be ok for a few hours during the day when he's not tired, you know? My DD is in preschool now 2 days a week and is perfectly fine not nursing for four hours in the morning when I'm not around--but if she's with me, she nurses at least every two hours, usually more often.

As far as the nursing in public, yeah...I feel ya, but I can't help ya! I nurse DD in public all. the. time. There have been a few times I've been a little embarrassed, but mostly I look at it as an opportunity to educate people about the biological norms of nursing. I've had many conversations on the playground about what's really normal in nursing. I've never had anybody say anything negative, actually, although my friends do tease me that they are more familiar with my boobs than with their own.

I do also sometimes try to persuade her to wait with snacks, water, etc., and sometimes that works. Sometimes I just tell her to wait till we get home, especially if we're leaving soon. Although technically that's considered mama-led weaning, I think.

[LorenaAZ]

We nurse in public depending on the place. I feel comfortable nursing at the park, the mall, a quiet shop, the bookstore, etc. But other places not so much. The other day I had DD (16 months) pulling on my shirt, and asking for "teta? teta?" while she did the sign for it with her little hands. And everyone was staring at me....I`m not that corageous, yet! So, advice on that? Wear things that are not so revealing if that makes you comfortable, like a tank top under your shirt, or a vest?

You can nightwean without completely weaning your child. There`s a good link somewhere....here it is:
http://drjaygordon.com/attachment/sleeppattern.html
I consider myself a failure in nightweaning, but I`m also a single mom so it`s impossible for me to try and comfort my daughter back to sleep without giving her a boob or two.