Nursing a 4 month old, but considering re-establishing nursing my 2 year old as well

[MommyBluebird]

Hello Ladies,

This has been weighing on my mind since I got pregnant shortly after weaning my then 1.5 year old son.  I'm sure you've all heard this excuse before, but my pediatrician sternly directed me to stop nursing him, "immediately, that day!"...due to his lack of weight gain from 9-12 months.  Since he wasn't interested in food, she blamed my low-fat breast milk to be the culprit, saying I was keeping him on a liquid diet that wouldn't allow him to grow.  

I am so angry that I was convinced by her to wean him.  However, I did at least take 2 months to let go of our nursing relationship, instead of ending bfing that day.  (How would that be possible, anyways!?)

Anyways, since I weaned him, he has gotten colds much more frequently...he does eat food now, of course, but as little as he can get away with.  So, I'm wondering, now that I have a milk supply again, would it be worth it to reintroduce nursing to him?  Would it be good, psychologically, for him to start again...? I mean, he might not even go for it...  I just think it would be wonderful if I could nurse him to sleep again like I used to, and to give him that extra boost of calories, antioxidants, and anti-bodies to thrive and to fight off viruses.  

What are your thoughts, breast-feeding mamas?  Thanks for listening!

Emily

[skycheattraffic]

It can't hurt to try! I'm so sorry you got such bad advice. I would do lots of skin to skin, take a bath together, maybe actually ask when baby is nursing. I would also hand express a little so there is milk on the nipple so he could get a taste. Even if it doesn't work (or not right away) maybe you could pump or hand express a couple of ounces a day to give him that boost. That could be a way to introduce your milk again and work on the nursing over time. I reccomend that you seek out the local la leche league since they have so much experience to offer. You could also talk to a lactation consultant for additional ideas. I think your toddler would only benefit from reestablishing the nursing relationship. Good luck and hope you will update with progress.

Btw I'm due with #2 in July and my dr asked what my plans were regarding my nursing 20 month old. I told him I'd hope she would nurse through the pregnancy then tandem nurse with baby. He looked at me like I had three heads and mumbled something about how difficult that would be for me. Really? More difficult than weaning a willful kiddo who is SO not ready to stop?! It's unfortunate but so many medical professionals are SO misinformed about nursing. I'm so sorry you were steered so wrong but I think you have a decent chance of nursing him again. I'm rooting for you!

[MommyBluebird]

Thanks, skycheattraffic!  I've been feeling even more strongly about this since my son has recently started a new behavior: he's been pulling my shirt down and pressing his head against my skin, like he's trying to hear my heartbeat.  He always wants to do this when we're cuddling before he goes to sleep at night.  I love him so much, I feel so bad that I ever weaned him!  

I'm definitely going to start by pumping and giving it to him in his favorite sippy cup... that was a great suggestion.  That would also be a way to compromise a bit with my husband, who is a little awkward on the issue of nursing him again.  It was really hard to wean him, I think he doesn't want to revisit those days & just move on at this point.  He can't argue that the benefits of drinking breast milk outweigh the "weirdness" he feels about it... (His whole family gave me the "three headed mom" stare when baby was only 6 months and still nursing!)  Ugh, I wish society was more comfortable with breastfeeding.  It's ridiculous.  When we were in Norway, there were nursing mothers in public everywhere, and it is widely accepted there.  

Honestly, it really is only about my son and I, and what's best for him... and luckily, I have plenty of milk to go around.  

I'll let you know how he responds to the expressed milk in the cup!  

Thank you!

[3girls1boy]

I decided to wean my second DD when PG with my third because it was becoming really uncomfortable for me. When my third arrived, I offered it to my second DD and she put her mouth to me but she no longer knew what to do. She was about 2 1/2 at the time and it had been 6 months since she last nursed.

[MommyBluebird]

Well, to get back to you all.  I did offer it to him a few times, but he didn't want to actually nurse.  He kept telling me to "feed the baby."  I also tried pumping and offering it to him..but while he was very interested in watching me pump, he didn't want to try it.  I might still try pumping privately and offering it to him in a sippy cup.  (It's just very difficult to find any privacy from the ever-watching 2 year old eye!)....

Oh well.. I feel sad that our nursing didn't go longer, but it makes me even more sure to let my daughter self-wean.  

He still likes to pull my shirt down and press his head to my heart, especially when he's going to sleep.  This bonding experience is so precious to me, and I love feeling his sweet head against my chest.  Sometimes I can even cuddle this way with him, while sneaking my daughter a boob to nurse on!  =)  

Thanks for sharing your own experiences with me.  I'm a tad disappointed that we didn't reconnect with nursing, but grateful for what we do have.  

All the best, ladies!