It is wierd. But after 3 kids, this is THE only breastfeeding question I have ever ever had to ask. I have been extremely fortunatate.

Chloe isn't nursing so much anymore. NOt long enough at a time, and I think my milk is drying up because of it. She is doing a lot of latching on, only to pop off two seconds later. Then pop back on. Suck suck, pop off. It's like she wants to nurse at first... but doesn't want to nurse long enough to get let down.

I asked her this morning if she wanted to nursie and she said "Noooooooo" in this very cute pitchy voice ;)

Is this a 16mos old thing? The only time I seem to have her getting milk is in the morning when we get up. And even those sessions don't last very long anymore.

I really want to nurse till 2. Malachi was weaned at 22mos. He would have gone longer I am sure. But we had visiters and when he wanted to nurse I handed him the cup to pacify him for a few. He took it without even asking for nursies again. So then I just went with it and just didn't nurse again.

But I haven't had a child just not want to nurse before. And then to do what she is doing. Hannah weaned at 12mos cause my milk dried up when I got preggo with Malachi.

Sigh.

Any ideas? She is definitely my spirited, busy, strong willed child. She is everything my other kids weren't. She is teaching me whole new things. I never believed in kids knowing how to test and tease and all that jazz till Chloe. ;) But man she is so darn cute. lol

Thanks :)

It's normal. After 1 year (doesn't apply before 12 months) some children are happy to continue nursing much longer, others you just can't force them to nurse! I have a friend, La Leche League leader and everything, children each weaned around 13-14 months. She was all set to go longer too.
Kids are all different, that's what I hear and see all the time!

p.s. my ds on the other hand probably still nursed 12 times a day at 16 months! LOL

Becca did the exact same thing.
She nursed until she was 3, but when she was about 18 mo to 2 she did this suck thing for like 10 sucks and said she was done. She nursed to "eat" only in the morning when we were laying in bed.
When she would want to nurse during the day she would ask for gu gu and have a whole new confident attitude when she was finished. Like she wanted to love on me but didn't want to eat and that was her way of doing it.

Traci

Sarah completely self weaned the week before she turned 18 mos. About 13 mos she started to really slow down her nursing. She was just too busy to want to sit still. I cant remember her age exactly, but she started cutting out all nursings except nap, bed, and morning. then it went to just bed time and morning, and the morning was the last to go. one morning i offered and she told me no. so the next morning i offered again and again she said no. i think i did that 2-3 mornings and was refused, so she was just done. I was so thankful for the morning nursing, it was the only time this child was somewhat still. LOL. I enjoyed it so much, it made me sad when she quit.

Now, Taylor on the other hand, at 16-17 mos. did nothing BUT nurse. I couldnt get anything done. I think it was worse than when she was a newborn. I remember having a thread here w/ other mama's of similarly aged children going through the same thing. Now at 22 mos. she nurses nap, bed, at least 3 times during the night still, and sometimes morning. she has never been a morning nurser though. she usually wakes ready to go.

Maybe she is getting new teeth that makes it hurt. I think Taylor was getting her eye teeth about that age.

hth a little.

Originally posted by Wendi
Chloe sounds exactly like Shan (who is 18mos). I want her to nurse, but she keeps saying "nnoooo", just like you described. She latches on and pops off a lot! When she is nursing, she is crawling all over me, and doing nursing gymnastics LOL. No suggestions, but I understand!! :)

They are TWINS! This is exactly to a T what Chloe does. It is rather annoying too. lol I am so sick of lifting the shirt, putting it back down. lifting it, putting it back down.

AND... I see Shan loves to help with chores too? CHloe loves to help with the dishwasher. She hears it open and comes running. She likes to take all the silver out and toss it in this drawer that she can barely reach. SO I have to go and fix it all later haha. She likes to help with laundry too. Hmm. Wonder if this will stick??? lol

Shan is a cutie Wendi :)

THANK you everyone!!! I am glad to hear this is a normal thing. WOnder how long she will be popping on and off though. Kinda sad if she weans though. I am not ready for my boobies to shrink back down again. lol