do you have "rules" while nursing your toddler?

[Bena]

I'm asking because lately, DD (19months) has devellopped some annoying nursing habits (switching sides constantly; asking to nurse, nurse for less that a minute than run off to play, than come back again several times; not unlatching correctly so that she stretches my nipples-yes, ouch!-)  and I'm beginning to think that maybe I've been enabling her by not being "strict" enough and setting down "rules".   When it comes to nursing, I kind of just let it pass (except for pinching, but that's easy to react too since it hurts!) and I'm wondering if you've set down rules or firm expectations for you older nursling.

[lifeguard]

Our rule was always that if he wanted to nurse he could but he had to sit or lie quietly & nurse. If he wanted to play or toss around then he could go & come back when he was ready to settle. If he was getting rough or trying to flip around I just unlatched him, said we'll do this later when you could settle & sent him on his way.

[KristyDi]

Originally Posted by lifeguard 

Our rule was always that if he wanted to nurse he could but he had to sit or lie quietly & nurse. If he wanted to play or toss around then he could go & come back when he was ready to settle. If he was getting rough or trying to flip around I just unlatched him, said we'll do this later when you could settle & sent him on his way.

Ours are very similar.   I have a mole under one breast that DD like to flick and twiddle.  If she starts messing with my mole she gets one reminder then if she persists I unlatch her.

It's helpful for me to remember that nursing is a relationship.  You're allowed to have some boundaries.  

[Asiago]

No rules here...yet.

However the quick nursing and running back to play sounds like she is 'checking in' with you for comfort and security, which is wonderful (so long as she unlatches).

Edited by Asiago - 6/3/11 at 11:43am

[BananaBreadGirl]

No boots on.

No hands touching the other "side".

No stretching your head around while nursing to see/hear the TV/Daddy/etc.

[Lauren31]

What about nursing at dinner? Like if we are all eating and she says, "Nee! Nee!" and does the sign. Should I nurse her? Sometimes I say, "Have some water instead we can nurse after dinner" but then I feel like, awwww that is mean. haha. I don't mind nursing her at dinner but I really do not want her to expect me to bend over her booster seat and stop what I am doing to nurse her when she has water, food, etc right in front of her. I feel like houseguests would be like, WTF?! haha sorry, my first kid and I am the only person I know who is extended nursing. (she is 16 months old).

[KristyDi]

I don't nurse DD while I'm eating. I think that started somewhere around your DD's age. After I'm done, I'll nurse her at the table (in my lap) if others are still eating and I want to stay and chat.

For me, when dd was an infant, I nursed on demand. But as she got older, I felt like she could wait a bit for it to be a more convenient time for me.

[boomer78]

Originally Posted by Lauren31 

What about nursing at dinner? Like if we are all eating and she says, "Nee! Nee!" and does the sign. Should I nurse her? Sometimes I say, "Have some water instead we can nurse after dinner" but then I feel like, awwww that is mean. haha. I don't mind nursing her at dinner but I really do not want her to expect me to bend over her booster seat and stop what I am doing to nurse her when she has water, food, etc right in front of her. I feel like houseguests would be like, WTF?! haha sorry, my first kid and I am the only person I know who is extended nursing. (she is 16 months old).

 

[boomer78]

Originally Posted by BananaBreadGirl 

No boots on.

No hands touching the other "side".

No stretching your head around while nursing to see/hear the TV/Daddy/etc.

BananaBreadGirl, I like your rules.    DD has recently started playing with my other nipple while nursing, which of course isn't very comfortable and starts squirting milk soon after. 

As for the rules, OP, we don't have any, dd is pretty good though.  I don't nurse her EVERY time she asks.  If she is too distracted she knows nummies are going away.  Wait, are these considered rules?