The toddler gymnastics are getting to me.

[NewMom610]

I'm nursing my just about 14 month old.  He only nurses before his nap, before bed, and once during the night - so three times total.  It isn't that I'm withholding, he just will pick solids 100% of the time.

Anyway.  Even though we're not nursing often the gymnastics are out of control.  He started the craziness around 8 months, and it is getting worse.  I almost think that nursing is actually making bedtime worse, because he gets all wound up trying to do a flipping headstand while nursing.  It was cute until about 2 weeks ago, and now I am just not really sure what to do.

I planned to nurse him until he weaned himself or until he was 2 - whichever came first.  However, these gymnastics are both painful and sometimes annoying.  I'm also expecting baby #2 (just 6 weeks pregnant).

Is this a normal stage of the parent/toddler nursing relationship?  Will it pass?  I don't resent him or anything that serious.  I just don't want my nipples to become detached ;)

[lifeguard]

It's normal for some nursing pairs - not all. Quite honestly I simply couldn't/wouldn't put up with it with ds who bf'd until about a month ago (thanks to no milk with the pregnancy). If he started getting all crazy I put him down & said we could try again later. If he wanted to bf he had to lie/sit fairly still. But I also started that from the time he started to try playing games - it might be harder to instill if it's already a habit.

[bentlaj11]

DS is much rougher since he's gotten older. I didn't pay much attn. to it before I got pg as he was still doing ok w/ falling asleep. I think part of the reason he's more restless is b/c of lack of milk (I think he's nursing harder b/c it doesn't come out as much/fast as before). Maybe that's part of it for your guy. Now, it's taking forever for him to fall asleep, and thanks to advice I got from here, I've been telling him it that we won't nurse if he can't lay still. Maybe you could unlatch him when he's about to do handstands and let him know he has to lay still? DS is older than your LO, so I know he understands, but I have let him do it for so long that it doesn't happen w/out frequent reminders. My big deal right now is that he wants to pop on and off/ switch sides so often. I've also started doing nipple cream again as it has become painful :( I've also had to have DH come in and be with him while I take a break (both for my nipples and my becoming frustrated too much). I hope it's a phase, but I'm not sure!

Keep me updated. I need all the tips I can get right now :)