Anyone Start Breastfeeding Again 6 Months After Weaning?

I agree with the other gal. Its time to say no. I have to say....well I better not, but 4yr old is way to old. They will soon be in school. I apologize if this offends you but wanting to nurse at 4yrs old just grosses me out.

My understanding is supply/demand are the general rule. Many mothers can nurse adopted children, so if you're still producing even a little milk continued nursing will jump start it. But you're probably more correct that your daughter is seeking comfort, or is going through some developmental transition and needs to reconnect with you.

Second thought is there may be some nutrients she is not getting by eating a vegan diet. I understand veganism can be compatible with health for adults but it seems a little growing body might need more of the macro/micro nutrients than even the most careful vegan diet can provide. She might be trying to get those from your milk. On a personal note, I ideologically agree with veganism, however physiologically our bodies have not evolved in this manner.

You should pat yourself on the back for nursing her for two years and then find alternative ways to comfort her, since she has already weaned and there is really no reason to reopen that source of comfort (if a six-year-old asked for a pacifier after not having it for two years, would you give it to them, or help them find a more age appropriate way of comforting themselves?). There is no harm in her seeing you as a source of comfort, but there is more to you than milk. I hope this doesn't sound like I am not probreastfeeding, because I very much am a breastfeeder (neither of my children took formula or even a bottle). It's okay to move on to something new. It's also okay to say no to your kids sometimes. It is better for them to hear it get used to hearing it now than hearing it for the first time in high school. Good luck.

The more she nurses the more milk you will have... and the more she may nurse. The only question is if you want to nurse her at this age. In the States, it would be considered weird, but not in most of the rest of the world. Its your choice. One thing to consider is... now that she is older, will she wean herself again? I don't think you want a 7 year old asking to nurse, do you?

There is nothing wrong with letting her continue to nurse. My kids self-weaned also and still periodically ask about "nummy" as they called it. When they first asked it was about 6 months after weaning and I let them try again too. It was just a few times and they lost interest again, mostly because of the lack of supply. It is awesome that your daughter sees you as her main source of comfort, rather than a hunk of rubber and plastic. She will wean again when she is ready.

Hi B.,

I wish I had some advice, I was just going to say that I think it is neat that she was actually able to latch on after 6 months of being weaned! When I was pregnant with my second, my first weaned herself and I wanted her to nurse so badly after my other daughter was born (I figured it could only help with my supply) but she literally couldn't figure out how to nurse any more. She did about chew my nipple off! I would say that given you think she has had to make some adjustments perhaps she is just needing the comfort so you could just do what you feel is right for you. She obviously isn't going to be getting any nutrition from nursing and she is old enough to have at least some semblance of a conversation with about it so you could redirect if that is what you want, or you could just take a wait and see approach and see if when she settles in to her new routine she also gives the 'nursing' up again.

Good luck to you,
K.

Hi B.-
I haven't experienced this but I say good for you for nursing as long as YOU want. SOme think its gross to do this so long but after struggling to nurse my now 1 year old I wish we had been more successful so I could have provided him more breast milk for longer.
I hope you get some good advice.
I would check with a lactation person. I find that some are definately more helpful than others. Or check out a local breast feeding clinic they usually are filled with experienced mommies and nurses.
Good Luck!
T.

My daughter does this from time to time. It's not gross, in fact it is difficult for me to see that word anywhere near a conversation that has to do with nursing.

Please ignore responses that elude to that. I say "no" to my daughter A LOT, but I've found that saying no to this just makes the argument and sadness drag on and on. I say yes (grit my teeth, because I am so over nursing her and am nursing her brother), and she usually nurses for all of five seconds. I'm not sure how long your daughter is nursing for, but if it doesn't bother you just let her do it.

Anyway, that's just the way I feel about it-good luck