My 2 ½ yr old is driving me wonky. Before I had our second daughter (July 13th) my oldest daughter was nursing once a day (at nap time). Now that the baby is here there is an increase in her wanting to nurse, which I expected but the past two days have been ridiculous. EVERYTIME the baby nurses she asks in the whiniest voice possible to nurse. And I of course tell her she needs to wait. Once I am finished nursing the baby she wants to nurse. Today she nursed like 7 times!!! I cannot do that, it’s too much for me. My breast are sore, I am dealing with thrush and a newborn latch again…it’s sensory overload for me. I cringe when my toddler asks to nurse. And if I tell her no all hell breaks loose. Screaming and fussing at me over and over again begging me to nurse. I just want to run away with my new baby LOL Seriously, it’s so bad that my toddler is actually waking up at night now asking to nurse (when she’s been sleeping through the night for almost a year now). Last night dh took her to another bedroom in the house to sleep so I could get through the night only nursing one child. Do I need to wean the older one altogether here? Every time my butt hits a seat it’s like an alarm goes off in her head that says she needs to beg to nurse. Now I am seriously laughing out loud…I JUST nursed my toddler 15min ago and she just walked up to me and asked to nurse AGAIN. I’m so over this…

Well honestly (ime, this is my 3rd round of tandem)if you just let her know that your willing to let her nurse it does get better. If i told my children no, they just wanted it more and it becomes a power struggle. I especially let them nurse when they ask in the first few weeks, since they are adjusting to a new sibling. eventually it isn't important anymore and they nurse less. I know that isn't what you wanted to hear but its been my experience... and just so you know I'm feeling ya girl- sully asked as I was typing this:lol:

In my experience it does get better eventually. ;) I remember when my toddler was driving me bonkers with nursing after a new baby was born. Eventually it went back to normal but it took awhile.

One thing that has worked for me in the past is to be willing to nurse every single time she asks, but only while I count to 10. It seems like they can sense when you don't want to nurse and they just ask even more.

Hang in there. :)

it will get better. i promise. :heart: --- as much as i sometimes had to grit my teeth at the thought, if i refused, it was unbearable. they are dealing with a lot of emotions and jealousy -- they need to know you are still there for them. :hbeat:. once they realize that security is still there, they'll back off a little.
just hang in there. it's well worth it in the long run!

I can agree with what everyone else has said. The more you fight it, the worse they want it. But I also know exactly how hard it can be. And how much sensory overload to do both at the same time. It can be so irritating that you just literally want to throw both kids off you and run away screaming. Of course, try not to do that! lol. I am currently tandeming for my second time. And I did the nursing at the same time with my first tandeming. And this time, I seriously don't want to do that.
It's always hardest in the beginning. But I can tell you a few things that could help.
When the baby is down for a good nap and you have a minute, take your toddler aside and offer the breast. Like, I haven't forgotten about you, you just have to be patient with momma. Try to give your toddler a little just you and him/her time every day.
Also, prepare up or stock up on some quick, easy, and healthy snacks that your toddled will just love. And when you see him/her coming in to breastfeed, try to catch them just before they say it and say, would you like a cheese stick, or a yogurt. Some grapes. Ect. Rotate these out frequently so they don't get bored with it because they will get bored with the same stuff quickly. But it can work every now and then when you really need an extra break. There are a few distraction methods that work, but just remember your toddler is just confused and dealing with issues about where they fit in. You don't want him/her to develop issues with the baby that will last their whole childhood. You want them to bond now, so they make your life easier in the future. lol.
Good luck.