Hi Mommies, I can't tell for sure lately, but I think my 19 month old DS is thinking about weaning himself. He has always nursed for both nutrition and comfort before he goes to sleep and once in the am when he wakes up. For the past several weeks, he has cut back on the amount of time he does this. In the am, it's b/c he wants to go play. The other two times it's because he just falls asleep fairly quickly. So I think my milk is pretty much disappearing. I've pumped a few times to see and I don't get much out...
So recently, he has started asking to nurse while he is awake. No problem, although very unusual for him as since he was 8 months old he hasn't wanted to settle down for that during waking hours. So I usually go sit down with him and let him nurse, but here's what happens. As soon as we sit down and he latches, he is right back off with a big smile and a scurry down off of my lap. Literally two seconds worth of nursing. He asks, I notice, when he wants to stop doing something else. For example, if he wants out of his booster seat at dinner and I pretend I don't hear him because he has hardly eaten a thing yet, he starts asking to nurse. Same thin g with bath time (although this throws me off since he loves baths). He will also ask at other times, when he doesn't necessarily want to stop what he's doing (for example, when he's playing and notices that I am changing my shirt). Do you think he is just saying he wants to nurse so that I'll let him out of his chair or the bath and he can go about his business? Or do you think he is having conflict with weaning?
In either case, what should I do to handle this little rascal?
I think he is just trying to get out of doing whatever he is doing at the time, and he may be ready to ween.
He is feeling out where he is in your world. He wants the comfort of knowing he can nurse when he asks, but is also trying to find his independence. Toddlers go thru many phases of nursing often to barely nursing... but if supported and comforted, they will usually return to nursing in time. The don't ask don't refuse method may be best for now... Only offer nursing when he's about to have a melt down or is in pain or afraid.
Pumping is no indication of what your breast holds... and also those '2 second's of nursing probably;y got out 2+ ounces!! At this age they are extremely efficient nursers and do not even need a fraction of the time they did before to get a whole meal from the breast.
"He is feeling out where he is in your world. He wants the comfort of knowing he can nurse when he asks, but is also trying to find his independence. Toddlers go thru many phases of nursing often to barely nursing... but if supported and comforted, they will usually return to nursing in time. The don't ask don't refuse method may be best for now... Only offer nursing when he's about to have a melt down or is in pain or afraid.
Pumping is no indication of what your breast holds... and also those '2 second's of nursing probably;y got out 2+ ounces!! At this age they are extremely efficient nursers and do not even need a fraction of the time they did before to get a whole meal from the breast."
This exactly - read The Baby Book by Dr Sears. This is a normal developmental phase, doesn't mean he is done nursing, and FYI - when I pump I may get only an ounce but my baby can get out 8 more :) He is establishing a little independence while reassuring himself momma is still there for him by "drive by nursing". If you cut him off unnecessarily he will lose the reassurance that you are there and it is safe to explore his world, boundaries, and independence. He is developmentally incapable of being manipulative and "pushing buttons".
Punk'd.... Clever little smarty pants..
If it were me, I'd stop nursing "on cue" and decide when it worked for me. It sounds like he wants the connection and reassurance, and once he has it, he's ready to go do something else.
As I said, if it were me, I'd pick three regular times of the day that he could nurse if he chose to. You could give him some simple language "Nursing time" or "No nursing, playtime" to help him know what's happening.
This means at dinner, you tell him "time for table food now" and keep him at the table, in his seat. (Maybe you want to offer to nurse before making dinner?) Same thing, if you have daily bathtimes: offer to nurse beforehand. Does he know how to say/sign "All done"? Teaching him that might help too. Good luck!
They play us like a fiddle LOL. Think it is time to wean him.
I'm voting for Punk'd!
He's at *exactly* the developmental stage for it (how can I get my way?)
It sounds like he might be ready to wean; I'd say just go along with his signals. My son did the same thing around 17 months; I noticed he wasn't nursing as much, so I tried to wean him and he was fine. During the day if he tried to nurse, I would try to divert him elsewhere (distract him with a toy or dance and sing a silly song until he wasn't thinking about it anymore, which worked most of the time). For naptime and bedtime, I would rock him to sleep instead of nursing, and he was fine with it, so in a few weeks he was weaned. I was really lucky that he weaned so easily, so my advice is to just go with the flow and if you're ready to wean, too, then try it. He sounds adorable! :-)
I think you have a very smart boy!!!! Enjoy him!
I agree with others. He is clever! He's ready to wean, but having fun playing you in the process.
Looks like he has found your hot button - he knows which one to push to get what he wants!
I am in the worst mood and this is cracking me up! How cute is your son?! I think he is very clever and knows how to charm his Mama. I don't have any advice just wanted to say thanks for making me smile tonight!
It sounds like your son is weaning himself which is a natural process. Nursing should be mutually beneficial. If he is using nursing as manipulation, sounds like one side of the part is ready to end nursing. Support him through his decision and end nursing.
Not punked, manipulated! In the most funny ways. I weaned both my boys at 19 months and guess what? They went on to learn new things and be adorable in other ways. We kept our closeness by reading and snuggling. Took about a week and a half then no more asking.
Good luck!
