Illness and weaning

[Elphaba]

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[callmemama]

When ds was around 3.5, he had the same problem ... and he's still nursing at 5! Seriously, I wouldn't wait for her to ask. Its hard to nurse when you can't breathe, but I would still offer.

[mother_sunshine]

I agree with callmemama.

Dd had a few colds where her nose was too stuffy to nurse. Poor thing would nurse for as long as a breath will hold, then take a deep breath, then latch on again to nurse while she held her breath, etc.

I wouldn't worry about your dd weaning because of it. My guess is that she'll want to breastfeed a lot more than usual once her nose clears up. In the meantime, maybe try a saline nose spray or drops (found at natural foods stores and some drugstores) to help it clear up a little (it's not a decongestant, it's like soothing ocean water). And it is definitely okay to offer.

[Elphaba]

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[Embee]

Oh, Elphaba! We've been there MANY times... and once that nose is clear he makes up for lost time like you wouldn't believe. Also, at 39 months she isn't likely to forget such joy as nursing.

DS went through a horrible spell of illness from 18 months to 2 1/2 and he would go days without nursing once he realized he was too stuffy to make it happen. I panicked at first and he would be so upset initially (frustrated that he couldn't nurse), but then calm down once he started getting the hang of the colds and the stuffiness would be over in a matter of days. As soon as there was one clear path in that nose he was hanging on me until he'd made up for lost time, and lost supply for that matter. Also, when he started being able to blow his nose, it helped.

Best of luck and hang in there!

[foreverinbluejeans]

You might try expressing and using the EBM in a cup or mixing it with food to help your ill child.

[Elphaba]

OK, NOT the answer to my question and NOT helpful, but thanks so much for taking the time to reply.