How can I convince my 2yo to resume nursing? (new baby in the house)

[Beauchamp]

DD stopped nursing when I was about 20-22 weeks PG with DS, who is now 9 weeks old. Her "weaning" was very hard for both of us. Tears on both sides. I wanted to keep nursing her but it got so irritating and hormonal and awful that I'd count the minutes and try to hang on. She was 16-18 months when we stopped for good, and I think then my milk was gone anyway, she was just dry nursing.

We are having some minor sibling jealousy happening over here because DD and I used to be 110% attached to each other, and now DS is with me all the time, I wear him for naps, etc. He's relatively high needs, too, and needs a lot of mama (DH works and isn't home much, so DD is on her own a lot to play while I care for DS)...so much so that it's really hard for me to have any special time with my DD...or she just says no, cries, etc. She's DH's girl now and I miss her.

I gently ask her if she wants to nurse and she always says no. Is there a way to get her to nurse again...to convince her to try?

[D_McG]

She is saying no and I wouldn't question that.  I have my second new baby in the house and both times it's been lovely to NOT nurse the older one.  We emphasize how big they are and how we can do special 'big' things together.  

Babies nurse all the time.  2 year olds get to go play at the park!  paint toenails! (or fingertoes as my 2 yo says), eat ice cream!  Those are the things we've done the past 3 mos we've had the baby home.  Sometimes the 5 of us go to the mall and I'll take one of the big kids by myself to get a frozen lemonade.  Even 15 minutes makes a big difference.

IME nursing just didn't 'cut it' to get that real closeness/intimacy you can develop with verbal children.  In fact for me it took away from it but that might not be common.   Your 2yo is younger than mine but you're just getting to the point (again, ime) where all the awesome things about having a bigger kid can be explored.  

Good luck!

[sosurreal09]

Well I think you need to respect her "no" but I would keep offering, she was awfully young to "wean" like you said, so there is no harm in letting her know it is available to her.

[zinemama]

Why would you want to nurse her if she doesn't want to? Sounds like she is completely over whatever sadness she had about weaning. Why get her back on the breast, only to go through that all over again? I would respect her wishes and let her be "dh's girl" for now, especially since you really need to focus on your high need baby.

[Asiago]

Originally Posted by sosurreal09 

Well I think you need to respect her "no" but I would keep offering, she was awfully young to "wean" like you said, so there is no harm in letting her know it is available to her.

This would be my suggestion also.