breastfeeding sending me crazy!

[Mum&bubs]

I am still currently breastfeeding my 16 month old DD & lately she has been sending me nuts!!
She has been biting me & pinching my other nipple..if i dont let her play with my other nipple it will world war 3 in our house! :banghead:
Also she is so demanding of it. I feed her ALOT through the day yet she still wakes up all night long & stays on my breast for hours, empties them dry until they hurt. I take a bottle with us to bed and she takes the bottle finishes it then hops back on the breast.
I just feel like i am losing my mind & dont know how much longer i can cope with this :gloomy:

[Oscar's mum]

I don't actually have any advice on how you can fix the behaviour, I am sorry. But I do know what you are going through about them having to have the other nipple in their hand, it's horrible isn't it, and yep world war 3 if you hide or cover that nipple.

[sam's mum]

Do you know if she is feeding because she is hungry or because she wants to get close to you? She should probably be getting most of her nutrition from solids at her age with breastmilk there 'like' a drink of milk. I don't know that she needs to be feeding at night her age either. You might want to talk to a breastfeeding counsellor, child health nurse or doctor about finding ways to get her to sleep through the night and about how to move her to less milk and more solids.
Hope that it works out.

[Funkychicken]

It sounds like you need to chat with someone from the ABA. They will have some good advice, I'm sure.:)

[Rainbowbrite]

Do you know if she is feeding because she is hungry or because she wants to get close to you? She should probably be getting most of her nutrition from solids at her age with breastmilk there 'like' a drink of milk.

Actually, many toddlers that are breastfed still get most of their nutrition from bm rather than solids. My 14month old is the same alot of the time. She eats very little.

ANyway, back on topic. I was where you are, PM me if you want/need to chat. I can tell you what I did to reduce the feeding :hugs: MJ is also a pincher while feeding so know the pain of that all too well :eek:

[kadownie]

You poor thing- I know how you feel- my twins are a bit like that at times- especially the girl in the day and the boy in the night. Also around 16-18 months I found them extra demanding- maybe developmentaly things are going on in their brain that they need more reassurance than normal- and the boob works for that?

Mine are 22 months now- and I pretty much demand feed them- but I've started putting some limits on things- I know now that they really understand what I'm saying to them- and I'm willing to put up with a bit of a tantrum if it comes to that- if it means that they are learning that Mummy needs some boundaries as well. And they are responding well to that.

Have you read 'The No Cry Sleep Solution for toddlers'? I had a read not too long ago- and it gave a few suggestions for night weaning- and helping bubba learn to sleep better- in a gentle way- I got some good ideas from that book. And even though there are still wakings, it is no longer a marathon feed- just a minute or two and I can tell bub enough and he comes off and goes to sleep.

there's also a book, that I haven't read but would really like to- called 'Nursing your toddler' or something like that. Lots of hints for breastfeeding bubs above one.

Hope you find some peace soon

[cheezelkat]

:hugs:

I can't offer to much helpful advice as I haven't been in your situation, but I do recommend calling the ABA for a chat.

[Sherrie]

Just wanted to say mine is 15mths and still feeds pretty much 2 hourly day/night sometimes more often, sometimes I can stretch her out a little during the day.

But shes not a big solid eater and shes a very fast growing girl so I guess I am lucky I can do this for her as breastmilk is so much more nutritious.

Mines tried a few times with the nipple but not often as I have always kept the other one covered. Maybe try distracting her with something else while you feed?

One thing mine does like to do which is a pain is pull my hair which hurts!

[Oscar's mum]

Is Summer still sending you nuts? Or has she calmed down a bit with her feeding?:confused:

[Mum&bubs]

Is Summer still sending you nuts? Or has she calmed down a bit with her feeding?:confused:

Still sending me nuts at night with the marathon feeds! But im trying new things like just refusing it & giving her the bottle so she can learn that she doesnt NEED the boob to go to sleep. Started last night & was fighting with her for hours :laughing: Night two tonight :fingerscrossed: it works! maybe then i can have a decent night sleep AND non aching nipples!
Thanks for all your advice guys.