17mo DD nursing too much?

[naturalmama4]

Hi! My youngest DD is 17 months old, and loves to nurse! She asks to nurse before bed or nap, when she wakes up, and then if she's upset or afraid. I know a lot of this is for comfort and I'm fine with that. I am concerned though that she isn't getting enough fluid aside from breastmilk. She has a healthy appetite with solid foods and isn't picky at all, though she is very dramatic and gets very upset when I refuse her the breast when its meal time! She asks to nurse when she's hungry or thirsty and if she had it her way she would nurse 90% of the time instead of eating solid foods. When I give her a cup of water, watered down juice, or cows milk she will drink a little then try to dump it out or forget about it. Recently she has been nursing more during the day because she is getting a couple teeth in and I know it makes her feel better. I believe she's coming to me for drinks too since she only nurses for a min then hops down and wants it back a few min later. 

Is there anything wrong with her getting a lot of her fluids from breastmilk at this age? She isn't constipated at all and still has plenty of wet diapers (we're working on potty training). or should I try to limit breastmilk and increase water intake?

Thanks,

~M~

[TiredX2]

There is actually nothing wrong with her getting all of her fluids from breastmilk, if you are open and able to do that.  One awesome thing about breastmilk is that it can change consistency based  on the sucking pattern of the nursing child--- so it can be more or less watery.  Additionally, there is no reason to introduce milk if she still nurses frequently.

For convenience's sake (and especially for during the summer) I would want my toddler to have the ability to drink out of a cup.  You can just have water in it, though, and every a little bit a day makes them know what it is for.  If the issue is with actually getting something out of the cup you can try a variety of sippy cups, sports bottles (with straws or not) and open top cups.

Lastly, both of my children were still primarily breastfed at that age.  My goal was to have them under 75% of calories by two years and we met that with no problems.  At 12 months, children should ideally still be getting the vast majority of their calories from breastmilk and it can be a slow transition to a primarily solid foods diet.

As long as you are both healthy and happy, I really don't see a need to change anything.  If that changes, you can reevaluate (and make changes) then!

[Asiago]

I agree, sounds like you are doing a great job. Your daughter is receiving nourishment and emotional nurturing as often she needs it too. My son breastfeeds very often (he is 26 mos.) and has never been constipated and has the urine output of a well hydrated toddler.

[naturalmama4]

Thank you for the reassurances! She can drink fine out of a cup, she just doesn't want it. Sometimes she'll drink out of a cup more than others, and really wanting to nurse more during the day in place of drinks in cups is just a new thing she's been doing for a couple weeks. It may be her getting some teeth in, I don't know. Her health, weight, and diapers seem to be fine so I'm not going to worry.

I started offering cows milk because her pediatrician suggested it because her weight was slowing down. I've since read that its normal with breastfed babies and breastmilk actually has more calories than cows milk. I always felt her pediatrician was more breastfeeding and natural parenting friendly compared to others in the area, but lately I'm finding myself considering switching peds. I'm starting to feel more like a number to his office and less like a person. We also have an 8 yr old and 4 yr old twins. We started seeing him when the twins were born and at that time he was great and made time for us. Now I always feel rushed. 

Anyway, thanks again for the advice! This is the longest I've breastfed, oldest I stopped at 4 mos because of HORRIBLE advice from dr's, and our twins self weaned at about 13 months. I wished they would have nursed longer, I tried, but they were more interested in playing with each other whether I was tandem nursing or not. So this is new to me, nursing a toddler. We're both loving it though!

~M~

[foreverinbluejeans]

Cows milk and watered down juice taste bad. If her weight isn't an issue then you may want to try some different full strength juices to see if she likes them. The main problem with juices is the obesity epidemic. Some people are concerned about the number of grams of sugar per serving. You might try different temperature water. My grandson likes refrigerator or ice temp but not room temp.

[Midwesterner04]

Originally Posted by TiredX2 

There is actually nothing wrong with her getting all of her fluids from breastmilk, if you are open and able to do that.  One awesome thing about breastmilk is that it can change consistency based  on the sucking pattern of the nursing child--- so it can be more or less watery.  Additionally, there is no reason to introduce milk if she still nurses frequently.

  Your milk is the perfect liquid for your DD, tailor-made to her needs just as it was when she was a young infant. Breastmilk is a terrific source of hydration and nutrient-packed calories.

[naturalmama4]

Thanks everyone! I won't push the other liquids then. She definitely loves to nurse!

[PatioGardener]

I was coming here to say pretty much what many of the PPs have said - breastmilk is an ideal liquid, no need to give anything else if you and your daughter are fine with it (as it sounds like you are!)

Originally Posted by naturalmama4 

Thanks everyone! I won't push the other liquids then. She definitely loves to nurse!

Sounds like you are doing really well! And now with your nursing a toddler experience you'll be able to help other Mamas through tough times, and counteract silly advice (like give cow milk instead of breastmilk, etc.)

[naturalmama4]

Originally Posted by PatioGardener  

Sounds like you are doing really well! And now with your nursing a toddler experience you'll be able to help other Mamas through tough times, and counteract silly advice (like give cow milk instead of breastmilk, etc.)

Thank you, we are doing well! And you're right, experiences like this definitely prepare me more to help other mommas. I recently started a breastfeeding support group in my very rural area. So far things are going really well with lots of positive feedback from the community! 

~M~

[wishin'&hopin']

I found that around 18 months DS's nursing seemed constant.  I have also heard that that's actually pretty typical around 18 months, go figure.  We just offer water (and cow's milk only if he asks, so he gets maybe 4 ounces of that a day, including in his cereal bowl).  

[TiredX2]

Originally Posted by naturalmama4 

I recently started a breastfeeding support group in my very rural area. So far things are going really well with lots of positive feedback from the community! 

~M~

[Asiago]

Great job for being proactive and starting a support group!!