[LadyGodiva]

Hi all!

I've had this discussion with a friend of mine...

Our children are the same age, 2 years old and are both still nursing. My son nurses a couple of times a day and drinks water & fresh juice as well.

My friend's child started to ask more and more for other fluids and my friend was worried that her little one might wean much soonder than she'd wish.

What do you do about a sitaution like that?
We've been thinking & talking, but we cannot come up with a solid 'plan'.

Taking away all other fluids?
We don't find that this is very respectful. A 2 yo will not resign to this, anyway.

Tell DC that BM is so much more superior to water, juice etc... I don't think the avarage toddler will be receptive to that

.

How do you keep on BF for many years without restricting you child in other liquid intakes?
How do you keep BFing, without forcing it upon you child?
Sooner or later, any toddler will want to drink from a cup/glass, like the others do, no?
Are there children who have BM as their exclusive fluid intake that are 2 years and older? How did you create that environment, how did you get to keep DC at the breast for exclusive fluid intake? How did you keep DC away from other drinks without forceful restriction?
"Don't offer, don't refuse", can that apply to other fluids to encourage BFing?

This is such grey zone, it's like my friend & me are caught up right in the middle of it, and then it's difficult to see things in perspective.

I'm looking foreward to your experiences & advise. I feel I really need it.

 

[cutic]

I think that if a child has an emotional need for nursing he will nurse for as long as he wants to regardless of water/juice intake. IMO, if you think that he/she likes juices because they are sweet, try to dilute them with water.

I found out that my dd has had natural increases and decreases in her nursing frequency. There were weeks when she needed to nurse very often followed by weeks of drastic decrease in her need for nursing. And then again, more nursing and so on. Of course, over time, she gradually started to nurse less often anyway, but in child led weaning this is how it should be, I think.
I learnt to accept it and go with a flow. I, too was worried at some time, around 20 months, that dd was weaning too fast, in fact, she was just going through some period when she needed less nursing and she soon resumed her usual frequency.

Is your friend offering breast or just waiting to be asked? I often offered and dd gladly accepted when reminded. BUT, when she doesn't want you can't force a child to nurse.

 

[Kathryn]

I would take away all juices, but not because of possible weaning, simply because they aren't good for you and no toddler/child needs them ever.

 

[eclipse]

Yeah, I don't let my kids drink juice, but I wouldn't restrict water in hopes of continuing breastfeeding. I think if, at 2 yo, a child no longer wants to breastfeed, it would be disrespectful to try to get them to continue. My son nursed for 4 + years, while drinking plenty of water, even through several months of no supply while I was pregnant with DD. DD, however, only nursed until just past her 2nd birthday - she just didn't need it as much. I think Child Led Weaning is about letting the child, well, lead - and respecting their decision of when to stop.

 

[SereneBabe]

I can't imagine a toddler cutting back on nursing just because they'd had enough water (yeah, no juice, though we do juice with 1/4 juice 3/4 water sometimes). I think it's GREAT to have child asking for things they feel they need, and I'd respond by Hearing (cap H on purpose) and giving them the liquids. If Maya is any example, there's no need to think the child will nurse less... oh, if it were so... ;-)

--Heather

 

[Tonia80]

Limit the juice and water it way down. I only allow my kids to have juice once a day and it is more than 50% water. Our family rule is they can only have water during the day and juice or milk with meals. My toddler can have BM through teh day and water in a bottle if he wants it.
My toddler is younger at 15 months but really he only drinks BM fro teh most part. It does not even phase him. I do pump though so if he goes out with DH or something he can still have BM. So, in regards to it being the sole source of liquids, I guess your frined has to be willing to be available around the clock or pump if her child is wanting to drink from a cup.

 

[alegna]

Another vote to eliminate the juice- it's a bad idea for lots of reasons. Of course give no other milk. Offer water whenever they want it.

-Angela

 

[Lovenest]

I would say the same as prior posters.
No juice, no need for it.
I also think that a child will wean when he/she is emotionally ready for that step. My son will eat a full meal and want to nurse!

 

[LadyGodiva]

Thank you ladies for your replies.

You confirmed my ideas about managing the fluid intake and especially that once DC has decided to wean or cut down on nursings, he will always have the last word.
We really disliked the idea about tricking the child to nurse.

Quote:

I learnt to accept it and go with a flow. I, too was worried at some time, around 20 months, that dd was weaning too fast, in fact, she was just going through some period when she needed less nursing and she soon resumed her usual frequency.

That's funny, because not later than last night I said to DH that if I wanted to, I could easily wean DS now. And DH said that he was not so sure about that. That made me feel good, he has another view on the situation...

Quote:

I think it's GREAT to have child asking for things they feel they need, and I'd respond by Hearing (cap H on purpose) and giving them the liquids.

I feel like that, too! I mean don't we BF, co-sleep, AP, build a strong connection & communication to our kids, so they develop to their full potential and become indepandant, well-balanced, self-confident and aware people! Drastically restricting fluids is so contrary to that, it's like cutting their wings in a way.

Quote:

My toddler is younger at 15 months but really he only drinks BM fro teh most part.

When my son was that age BM was his sole source of liquid. But I must say that I have the luxury to be a SAHM and thus can nurse him whenever he asks for it. But there is a world of difference between a 15 months old and a 24 months old.

 

[OriginalGirlGamer]

When we went in for DS's appointment at 16 months, the doctor told us to wean him that day, and me not knowing any better, I did. It took a few days of full out tantrums, but he did it. He wasn't nursing much anymore anyways, he took a liking to his sippyc up, but I kinda wish I would have waited a bit more, but then again, I was happy to get my 'ninnies' back.

 

[alegna]

Quote:

Originally Posted by OriginalGirlGamer When we went in for DS's appointment at 16 months, the doctor told us to wean him that day, and me not knowing any better, I did. It took a few days of full out tantrums, but he did it. He wasn't nursing much anymore anyways, he took a liking to his sippyc up, but I kinda wish I would have waited a bit more, but then again, I was happy to get my 'ninnies' back.

That's awful. Your poor baby.

:

-Angela