My 27 month old has totally regressed since becoming a big brother and now will barely eat "real food"... that is, he is basically just nursing a whole lot:rolleyes: His poop for the last couple of days has even turned into bf baby poop -- yellow, mushy stuff. Is this normal? Is it normal for him to want to nurse constantly all of a sudden? (He was doing ok food wise until about a week or so ago). WWYD? DH wants me to "make" him eat food (as in, "no you can't nurse until you eat your lunch") -- I don't know that that is such a good idea....
Your thoughts??

Is it possible he's not feeling well, physically? Some children will nurse instead of eating solids if they're not feeling well. I wouldn't force the food issue - offer appetizing solids on a regular basis, but don't stress over it.

I hope others have suggestions for you too!

Hmmm... I was thinking about the feeling sick thing too... a lot of times toddlers will compensate for feeling yucky by nursing a lot... especially if they're having tummy aches. But I can tell you that Sky nurses a lot more now after Tabby was born than before. But if he's just starting up this week I wouldn't really contribute it to that. I vote for maybe an upset stomach or something. I wouldn't push the food thing either... maybe try making some fun or special foods and see if that entices him a little bit. But at least he's eating stuff that's more healthy (Breastmilk) rather than snubbing at food for less healthy choices (like candy! LOL), yk? ;)

It is completely normal for an older child to regress when a new baby enters the family. PIcking up nursings is just one thing that children will do. I would let him nurse and also have food available for when he wants to eat. Our children know when they are hungery and will eat when they want to. You can also have on hand favorite foods that he likes and offer them first and after nursing sessions. Good luck to you!

My DS 1 did the same thing. I've seen it in countless toddlers since :) Even those that aren't big siblings if they are ill...

If your toddler was older, say near or over 3 I might go along with your DH...but at 27 mo (did I read that right?) I'd think him too young to understand that limit...some may but most won't. It won't hurt the child to nurse that much...if anything it may help with the awful sick season going around!

Keep up your hydration and vitamins...lots of green leafy veggies, mama! You're a milk-making machine! Good luck!

Well, I didn't have a new baby also, but my toddler definitely regressed. He went from eating okay to eating almost nothing and nursing so much that he had the mustard seed nursing diapers. It eventually went back to normal, but these things take time. 2's are notorious for being picky eaters - meaning that they pick and choose whether or not to eat - they have more important things to do; like exploring the world. And what better way to get time with Mommy than good old fashioned nurse/cuddling.
In fact, when my older children had a baby brother come along, I offered to nurse/cuddle them (which meant that I held them like I do a baby, but they no longer nursed - so they still got that special closeness).
I wouldn't worry too much. By the way, 'they' say that it takes 3 months for the older child to adjust to the new baby - and then things relax a little.

If he is not getting a tooth (don't they get their molars at that age?) or feeling sick, then I'd not fret at all about the "why" behind this. It must be normal for him.

Michelle
mama to a once-in-a-while nursing 4.5 year old son and five "older non-nurslings"

No advice on the sibling thing but I have totally heard that it's normal. Also, your supply is up after pg and I don't know if you've tasted and compared the taste of your milk but newborn milk is VERY sweet compared to what your body makes a year or more later. So he may be enjoying the extra-yummy nummies! :)

Anyway, the reason I posted is that I do set some limits on nursing and eating solids with my 20-month-old twins. If they're asking to nurse *right* before dinner (like it's about to hit the table), I will ask them to wait until after dinner. If they nurse right before dinner they won't eat a bite, and I'd like to give them a good shot at some solids. BM is healthy but toddlers can benefit from nutrients in healthy solid food. My kids are anemic so I need to be careful to give them iron-rich foods in addition to BM. I'll nurse them if they're desperate before dinner, but I try to stave them off (and get dinner on the table *before* they're desperate!). They can understand the idea, and usually it's not a problem, they're just hungry and are glad to know food is coming!

But it *is* normal for toddlers to graze. A friend of MIL's who's a doctor was telling us NOT to worry about kids not eating enough, and he didn't even know at the time that we were still nursing! Think of his diet over a week or even a month, not in a day.

(((HUGS))),

Cate

Dd was 26 months when ds was born and she did the exact same thing. She'd practically weaned herself but as soon as ds was born she wanted to nurse all the time. Your son is probably feeling a little threatened by the new baby and nursing is the way he feels most close to you. He wants to make sure he's still your baby. Dd eventually relented - though it took a couple of months. Just keep reassuring him that you still love him just as much and try to give him a little extra attention.