[ctdoula]

How would you react, how would you feel, what would you say if your child asked to nurse a year after they self-weaned?

My dd turned 5 on Sat. She gradually weaned (with some push from me to cut down when I was pregnant with ds) a week before her 4th birthday. She'll occasionally ask me for "ga milk". She swears she remembers how. I feel a little wigged out when she asks. I really don't want to go back to nursing her (I'm still nursing my 2yr old so, who is up my shirt non stop, LOL). And now that she's stopped for so long, *I feel* like she's too big, I just can't imagine it at this point. Silly, but my feelings.

 

[mamajessica]

I think that I would let her "try" and then pop her off quickly if you found it too creep-crawly-ish. I think that after a try or two, she would be over it

 

[speairson]

I agree with pp, it may just be that she wants to know if she would be allowed to have it, and has no real interest in starting up a nursing relationship again. I know this is different from your situation, but my ds was adopted at 11 months, and while I would give him bm in a cup, he never nursed. Then about 6-8 months ago he started asking to nurse. I was totally taken aback because I never got to nurse him and the thought of it kinda wierded me out. Don't get me wrong, I love him to death, but that was my gut reaction. Anywho, I finally decided to let him try to see what would happen and he pretended to nurse (just put his pursed lips on my boob and made sucking noises). So, we did that a few times over the next few days and that was that. I really believe he saw his sister nursing all the time and wanted to know he could have it too if he wanted.

 

[momuveight2B]

My twins wanted to try at this age. When I said OK to the one he just giggled and didn't do it. The other was more persistent and one day we were home resting on the bed in the afternoon while nursing his little sister and I let him try. After a few minutes he was done and never asked again. I'm not sure what it is all about but it was a stage and it passed. I used to also joke with them and tell them I was scared of their big teeth (they were almost six) and that they could go get their own milk or juice out of the fridge. We would also talk about how nice nursing was and all the grown up priviledges that came with being their age vs. being the baby. Handle it however you feel comfortable.

 

[bc1995]

My ds1 is about her age. He weaned 3 days after his 4th birthday. With our new baby and much more nursing going on around here, he has been more curious again. DS2 also still nurses. Ds1 has asked a couple of times to nurse, and I have let him try. He does not remember how to latch. I have pumped milk for him, too, when he has asked. He won't drink it though. For him it is more about seeing if I will let him, I think.

 

[Benji'sMom]

I'm in a similar situation and I just tell him no but with a smile and good attitude. He doesn't really seem to care. He just gets curious seeing his little brother nursing but I don't think he really cares deeply about it.

 

[arratt]

dd1 weaned just before turning 4yo. when dd2 was born a year later dd1 started asking to nurse again, and still does occasionally a year later. I have said yes a few times and she has laughed and never actually tried to. A few times I have asked her if she misses milk and she forgot all about wanting to drink once conversation started. Once she asked me to squirt some in her mouth, I did, she told me it was sour, lol. One day out of the blue she said to me "I wish we never had a weaning party because I didnt want to stop drinking milk" (didnt have the party until I was sure she had self-weaned)
I think when she watches me nurse dd2 she feels sad smetimes about weaning, which is heart-breaking to me but I wouldnt want her to start nursing again