Toddler Growth Spurts/Developmental Shifts and Nursing

[wishin'&hopin']

Hi, when DS was an infant (he's 17 months) it was always as if he'd read the book--oh, 6 week growth spurt, I'll nurse CONSTANTLY; 4 month sleep regression, what's sleep?.  Soooo, I'm wondering, if anyone knows of any resources that describe shifts/increases in nursing with toddlers.  The past week or so he's been nursing a TON, and for a few days was eating solids well.  Now, he's nursing a ton, but refusing most solids.  I'm touched out (it's 10:30am and he's nursed for at least 2 of the last 5 hours).  

And, I'm wondering, should I push the solids more--or just deal with the increased frequency of nursing and solid refusal, knowing that things will shift back soon?  Part of the issue is that his increased nursing has led to some plugged duct/mastitis issues because he's increased my supply and the 1 evening I was away last week wreaked major havoc in my breasts (missed 1 nursing session...).

Sooo, any studies, essays or articles?

[Asiago]

Same changes here (22 months). I just roll with it, but am not faced with the mastitis issue, so give him the breast with whatever frequency he wants or needs it. My son nurses alot though, whether he eats solids on any given day or not.

[wishin'&hopin']

pak, anyone else?

[elluin]

I have no studies or articles to offer, but we've been going through the same thing with dd (almost 18 months)... for a few days she has more interest in solids (without ever decreasing nursing) and she also has spurts of more frequent and longer nursing. I continue to offer solids and try not to worry about whether / how much she eats.  I usually guess that the changes are due to growth spurts or teething.

Right now we're in the midst of increased nursing... I feel like I have a newborn.  Last night I tried a desperate 5 am attempt to convince her that mama's milk needed sleep... I failed!  

[wishin'&hopin']

Mama's milk apparently wakes up between 4:45am and 5am at our house.  Sigh.

[elluin]

Yeah, I'm not sure why that's the time to start the nurse, nurse, nursing away!  On that particular night I hadn't had a break from nursing yet, but (thankfully) she's not usually a latched-all-night baby.  Last night she had a five hour stretch sleeping, which was amazing and appreciated (mama confession: I gave her ibuprofen before bed because I was too tired to nurse all night again).

Someone in our AP playgroup mentioned this article today:
http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/solids/toddler-foods.html

It's not exactly what you were looking for, but might be helpful.

[wishin'&hopin']

I just joined a toddler and parent group and my kid seems to be the only one who cannot make it through the hour and a half we typically gather without nursing...sigh.  I don't really mind nursing him, but he actually misses out on fun with the other toddlers when he nurses at times like that.

Thanks for the link Elluin!  

[elluin]

Sometimes I have to remind myself that my dd's definition of "fun" is not nearly so limited as mine... they enjoy so much of our day that we see as routine.  And how awesome that he has you supporting his needs to nurse instead of pushing him to have fun or wait to nurse.

We just nursed every hour to hour and a half last night... I think I lost the ability to fall back asleep hours ago.  Maybe I should be reminding myself that dd has a different definition of sleep too!  And maybe we should both be preparing to cycle clothing sizes again!

[wishin'&hopin']

I'm guessing that you might be right!  DS nursed 5 times between 5:30am and 12:30pm today.  I hear people talk about how their toddlers will just nurse for a minute...but every nursing session is at LEAST 10 minutes (usually more).  Good thing the new (and bigger) undershirts are on the way.

[pumpkinhead]

I found that right around 18 mos there was an increased need for nursing with mine. An almost constant need with very little flexibility in terms of patience/waiting. refusal to sit down and nurse NOW! was met with screaming tantrums. It was exhausting. There is light at the end of the tunnel though! They grew out of it at around 22ish months.

[wishin'&hopin']

Yeah, the screaming tantrums when mama sets limits have started here as well...but, yikes, don't know about 5 more months of this!