Breastfeeding Toddlers

[Rainbowbrite]

Just wondering, now that MJ is 13 months old & still bf, do i still offer the breast at certain times or just let her tell me when she wants a drink?

I usually offer before sleeps (which is how we get her to sleep, but trying to stop that - not working). If she is upset she looks for it & if she see's cleavage or hears the word "milk" she runs to me with her mouth open :laughing:

How do all the extended breastfeeders go about feeding times?

Thanks :)

[Mum&bubs]

My DD is 14 months now & i usually just let her come to me & tell me when shes wants a drink (shes BF too by the way lol) she usually just climbs on top of me and pulls my shirt down otherwise i dont offer it to her at all unless its time for a sleep that is the only way to get her to sleep. I offer her a cup now instead of my breast but when she wants the breast she will let me know!

[MamaSage]

Just keep up what you are doing I would say. If she has gone a while without any or without any fluids offer, but if she is initiating the feeds stick with her. Mum says I was feeding 12 - 16 times a day at 18 months, so I guess she will take what she needs.:wave:

[Nickster]

It sounds like young MJ knows what she wants when she wants it!lol!

At the moment, Libby still has her morning feed (first thing when she wakes up), and one before bedtime as it helps her settle, but apart from that, she might have a little comfort feed in the night, and during the day I just let her tell me when she wants a feed. She has a cute little signal she uses, cuddling up to me and scratching gently at my neck, so I'm in no doubt as to what she wants. She usually only wants about 2 feeds during the day as a rule - one about midday, and another about 4pm, however she likes more frequent feeds when she is unwell, and I'm happy to give them to her. Apart from that she's happy with water or a little cup with cow's milk - she's starting to enjoy her independence in small measures.

I just go with the flow - sounds like you're doing just fine, RB! Try not to worry about it too much, unless you're wanting to wean.

[MonkeyMum05]

I don't feed my son during the day... he eats at least 3 solid meals, including cheese and yoghurt... He still has 3 breastfeeds though... He feeds when he wakes in the morning, before bed at night and then again before I go to bed (around 10.30pm).

This is working very well for us, and I believe will help enable me to continue breastfeeding him for longer.

(Part of the reason I cut down was because he feeds out of only one breast, and I was desperately wanting the size to reduce a little bit!!)

Oh, I should mention that occasionally he does wrangle an extra feed out of me... if he is sick or something... :D

I think you should do whatever suits you and MJ best.

I can say that feeding at set times is suiting me and him much better than when he was snacking whenever he pleased... but that is just us ;)

[Tea Lady]

It prob depends on what you're happy with RB. I'm wanting to wean soon so I'm trying to stick to only 2 feeds a day (which means I can't sit in our feeding chair at other times!) but I've known other people who are happy with lots of little feeds through the day. It's not like there's any right or wrong answer - just do whatever you want I say!

[Tam-I-Am]

Hey RB.

Claire is not quite 12 months old - so just a touch younger than MJ.

I give her a b/f first thing in the morning (ie between 4 am and 5;30am usually) this puts her back to sleep for a couple of hours - yay for mum!

Usually about mid-afternoon (about 2 hours after lunch) she's ready for another, and then as I'm putting her down to bed.

If she's sick, or just decides she wants more than that - I go with what she's telling me. I have no plans to wean her before she's 18months - 2 years old....we'll just take it as it comes.